Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, the giant of West Africa, with the megacity of Lagos, vast oil reserves in the Niger Delta and the global Nollywood film industry.
Geography & landscape
Nigeria sits in Western Africa, in the northern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 923,768 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Abuja, lies near coordinates 10°, 8°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Western Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Nigeria.
People & society
The population of Nigeria is around 224M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is English, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Nigeria is structured as a federal presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Abuja, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Nigeria is the Nigerian Naira (NGN). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Abuja and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Nigeria shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Nigeria through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Abuja, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +234, and clocks are set to the WAT (UTC+1) time zone. ISO standards identify Nigeria as NG (alpha-2) and NGA (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇳🇬, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Abuja | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Western Africa | — |
| Population | 224M | people |
| Area | 923,768 | km² |
| Currency | Nigerian Naira (NGN) | — |
| Calling code | +234 | international dialling |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) | standard time |
| Government type | Federal presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | NG | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | NGA | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 10 | degrees |
| Longitude | 8 | degrees |
Did you know?
Nigeria's Nollywood produces more films per year than Hollywood — typically 2,500+ titles annually — making it the world's second-largest film industry.
