10 amazing facts about Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the most populous nations in Africa and the seventh most populated country in the world, with over 213 million people suggesting natural wealth and peace. When hearing of Nigeria, people would immediately imagine a big city filled with people and noise.

The nickname “Giant of Africa” befits Nigeria due to its vast diversity, encompassing hundreds of distinct ethnicities, languages, and even butterfly species. To delve deeper into this African nation, let’s explore some intriguing cultural and historical facts about Nigeria.

1. Nigeria have over 500 indigenous languages spoken

     In Nigeria, English is an official language that people use. But besides English, we have many other languages spoken. Some of them are Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulfulde, Ibibio, Kanuri, and Tiv. People also use Nigerian, Hausa, and Bura sign languages.

But here’s something interesting: in Nigeria, there are actually more than 500 different languages that belong to different ethnic groups. This makes Nigeria’s ethnic groups unique because they have their own special languages.

2. Nigeria have More than 250 ethnic groups found

    Nigeria has more than 250 different groups of people who belong to various ethnicities. This makes Nigeria the most diverse country in Africa. These groups have their own languages, cultures, and religions, which can be quite different from each other. The biggest groups are the Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa.

But sometimes, because of these differences, there have been problems in Nigeria. The bigger ethnic groups sometimes compete for power in politics, and this competition can lead to conflicts.

3. largest producer of oil and gas in Africa

    In the 1970s, Nigeria was incredibly rich because of its profits from oil. It had a lot of natural resources like oil and gas, and they were producing a lot of crude oil daily, around 2.5 million barrels. 

This made Nigeria’s economy strong, and it’s expected to become one of the world’s top 10 economies by 2050, which is one reason why it has a large population.

4. There’s a town known as ‘the twins capital of the world’

Igbo Ora, a town known for its high rate of twin births (50 per 1,000 births), attributes this phenomenon to a diet rich in yams and work leaves. Some fertility experts support this theory, noting that certain yams contain a natural hormone leading to multiple ovulation. In Yoruba culture, twins are so prevalent that they are given names like Taiwo or Kehinde, based on their birth order.

READ ALSO:  Is Nigeria worth celebrating? Why I choose to celebrate my country

5. largest film producers in the world

Nigeria is the world’s second-largest movie producer, churning out approximately 50 films weekly, surpassing Hollywood and trailing only behind Bollywood.

 Despite its revenue not matching that of Bollywood and Hollywood, the Nigerian film industry still manages to generate a noteworthy $590 million annually. As a result, it ranks as Nigeria’s second-largest employer, providing jobs for over a million people nationwide

6. Music and Afrobeat

Nigeria is a powerhouse in the African music scene, with genres like Afrobeat gaining global popularity through artists like Fela Kuti and Burna Boy.

7. Largest Economy In Africa 

    Nigeria’s export market is massive, which is why it is the largest economy on the continent. The agriculture sector is comprehensive, as it accounts for 70% of employment in the country. Besides that, the primary export of the country is petroleum, as it accounts for over 90% of the total exports. 

8. Rich Natural Resources

Nigeria is abundant in natural resources, including oil, which is a significant part of its economy. It’s one of the world’s top oil exporters.

9. Diverse Wildlife   

Nigeria is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and chimpanzees, found in its numerous national parks and reserves.

10. Social Media is very popular in Nigeria

  As one of the most industrialised African countries, perhaps this is not one of the most surprising facts about Nigeria, nonetheless, it’s interesting.

 A striking aspect of this trend is that approximately 75% of the country’s population actively engages with social media, primarily through smartphones rather than traditional computers or laptops.

Conclusion

In Western culture, making direct eye contact is a sign of respect and showing interest in someone. However, in Nigeria and some other parts of Africa, it’s different. They don’t see eye contact the same way. To them, it can seem aggressive, especially if a younger person is looking directly at an older person or someone in a higher position.

Nigeria is a unique and beautiful place with its natural resources, people, culture, food, and arts. If you plan to visit Nigeria or any other country, consider using RemitBee’s currency exchange services. They offer the best currency rates to help you make the most of your money.

Frequently asked questions

What is unique about Nigerians?

Nigerians are known to be intelligent hard-working people, and for the “can-do” and “never-say-never” attitude, which is complimented with a friendly and accommodating spirit.

What is the best thing about Nigeria?

The best thing about Nigeria is…

1) Nigerians are happy.

2) Nigeria is a land of opportunities.

3) Nigerians are resilient.

4) Nigerians are problem-solvers.

5) Nigeria is diverse.

6) Nigerians are hard workers.

7) Nigeria has great weather.

8) Nigeria has freedom of speech.

What do Nigerians value the most?

Examples of Nigerian national values from the dialogue: Respecting elders; speaking the truth; studying hard to become useful; being kind; being punctual; not being wasteful.