Officially known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria consists of 36 states and the capital city of Abuja. Nigeria covers a total area of more than 923,768 square kilometers (356,000 square miles), and has a population of more than 120 million, making it the most populous country in Africa. While there are some recognized national and regional languages, English is the official language of Nigeria. Christianity and Islam are the two major religions, in addition to a minority of people who practice traditional religions.
Excavations revealed that human habitation of the region of present-day Nigeria dates back to 9,000 BC. During the colonial era, Nigeria had trade relations with the Spaniards and Portuguese. In 1900, Nigeria came under British control, but gained independence on October 1, 1960.
Nigeria is an oil-rich country, but political instability, shortage of infrastructure, and corruption have hampered the country’s economy severely. However, in 2008 Nigeria began economic reforms and is now classified as a mixed economy emerging market. The oil industry accounts for 95% of foreign-exchange income and around 80% of the budgetary income.
After independence, the Nigerian government began working on its education system. Universal primary education was introduced after the Civil War of 1967. Education in Nigeria has three levels – primary, secondary and higher.
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Last Updated On : October 04, 2012
Nigeria Map
Nigeria, located in West Africa, was first inhabited many thousand years ago, and is now the most populous country in Africa, known for its rich culture.
