Africa’s largest economy is home to hundreds of languages and rich film industry. Nigeria officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a diverse West African country. Nicknamed the “Giant of Africa,” Nigeria is home to hundreds of different ethnicities, languages, and butterfly species.
- Nigeria is the seventh-most populous country in the world, home to more than 200 million people.
- While there are a number of different religions practiced in Nigeria, the majority of the population profess Christianity or Islam.
- Nigeria is a diverse multi-ethnic country with more than 521 spoken languages and more than 250 ethnic groups.
- Lagos, the commercial capital, is the country’s largest and most populous city and has been dubbed “Africa’s Big Apple,” in reference to New York City.
- The country’s film industry, known as Nollywood, is one of the largest film producers in the world, second only to India’s Bollywood.
- Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa. While the agricultural industry accounts for approximately 70 percent of the country’s employment, petroleum products are the primary export—accounting for more than 90 percent of Nigeria’s exports.
- Despite gaining its independence in 1960, Nigeria has remained a member of the British Commonwealth, an association of 53 sovereign states. The country is also a member of the African Union.
- Nigeria is sandwiched between French-speaking countries including Cameroon, Niger, Chad, and Benin Republic and yet French is not her second official language.
- Football is largely considered Nigeria’s national sport
