Nigeria

Nigeria sits on West africa's gulf of Guinea and is home to more than 200 million people, making it the continent's most populous nation. Abuja serves as the planned capital in the center of the country, while Lagos remains the commercial megacity that anchors finance, entertainment, and technology across the region. From the Atlantic coast to the Sahel fringe, every state plays a role in shaping a federation built on diversity.

The Niger and Benue Rivers meet at Lokoja before fanning into a wide delta of creeks, mangroves, and oil-rich sediments. Rainforests stretch across the south, middle-belt farms cover the Jos Plateau, and the north transitions into open savanna that supports cattle and millet. Harmattan winds blow dust each dry season, yet new irrigation projects, community tree planting, and early-warning systems help families adapt to shifting rainfall.

Nigeria's history blends ancient Nok terracotta art, trading cities like Kano, and coastal kingdoms such as Benin that mastered bronze casting and diplomacy. Britain amalgamated Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914, and Nigerians gained independence on 1 October 1960. The country endured a civil war from 1967 to 1970, years of military rule, and finally a return to democracy in 1999. Today a federal republic of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory practices multi-party politics and regularly transfers power through elections.

Petroleum from the Niger Delta still provides most export earnings, but leaders push to diversify through agriculture, services, and manufacturing. Cassava, cocoa, rice, and tomatoes feed local markets, while tech startups in Lagos's "Yabacon Valley" build payment apps and energy solutions. New deep-sea ports, railways, and power lines aim to reduce transport costs and persistent electricity shortages so factories and data centers can scale.

culture remains Nigeria's strongest export. More than 500 languages are spoken, including Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Tiv, Fulfulde, and widely understood Nigerian Pidgin. Afrobeats stars fill stadiums, Nollywood releases thousands of films each year, and writers highlight daily life from the savanna to the lagoon. Festivals such as the Kano Durbar and Osun-Osogbo procession honor tradition, while football matches, science contests, and volunteer programs unite a youthful population determined to turn resources into inclusive growth.