15 Fun Facts about Nigeria – Thing you should know about the country.

Fun facts about Nigeria summarises some interesting things I bet you didn’t know about the country.

Nigeria is a highly diverse country in the western region of Africa. The fashion, creative and technological hub in Africa is officially called Federal Republic of Nigeria but in everyday communication, two widely known nicknames are used:
1 – Giant of Africa (or, as my people say Jajan of Afreeca).
2 – Naija.

Nigeria takes its name from the River Niger that flows through the country. The country gained independence in 1960. Like it or not, the country is blessed with optimistic people though generally stressed out by all the happenings. Nigerians are intelligent hard-working people and are known for the “never-say-never” attitude. If it can be done, it will be done.

The friendly and hospitable people, beautiful ethnicities with their individual languages, and diverse species of flora and fauna; there is so much to love about Nigeria. A few interesting facts about my lovely country’s people and places that will make you reconsider what you thought you knew about the country. Let’s see how many you know.

1. Most populous in Africa

2. Multilingual and multi-ethnic

Nigeria is inhabited by more than 250 ethnic groups with distinct cultures and traditions, even though if you look closely, you can see some similarities here and there. A rich collection of cuisines, fashion styles, festival and arts exist across the various tribes.

Consequently, over 520 different languages are spoken in Nigeria. Taraba state alone has more languages than 30 African countries. The official language is English, but Pidgin is spoken widely and used in everyday communication. Pidgin English uses English as its base, weaving in local slangs and lots of colloquialisms. So when you hear people speak a language that sounds like English but you find it difficult to understand, chances are that it’s Pidgin English.

Now you can understand why the languages are that many.

3. Lagos is the most populous city and its not the capital

Lagos is to Nigeria as Auckland is to New Zealand. It has been dubbed “Africa’s Big Apple” in reference to New York City. Lagos was the former capital of Nigeria before Abuja became the capital in 1991. Highly industrialized yet, them go talk say “money no dey Lagos”! I agree with you Zlatan, they lie!

Chances are you’ll stop-over in Lagos on your trip to Nigeria. If so, you’ll need to prepare for the traffic more so if your accommodation is on a different area from you events or meetings. The mega-city’s traffic is often gridlock so much that there is a running joke that a Lagosian can arrive in London after a six-hour flight in the same time it takes his neighbour to go across the city especially on a Friday evening. Not only that, you can legit buy anything while crawling through traffic; it is a mobile department store for real.

Top 6 highly densed cities in Nigeria: Lagos (about 8 million), Kano (3.8 million), Ibadan (2.6 million), Kaduna (1.7 million), Port Harcourt (1.3 million), and Benin City (1.1 million).

4. Saying sorry before a request or question is common

“Sorry, excuse me, please, what is the time?” “Abeg no vex, send me urgent 2k.” “Sorry, please, can I use your pen?”

Starting a request or question with an apology is a norm in Nigeria. Many reasons have been given. Ask a Nigerian, and the typical response will be a lot is happening in the country that gets people riled up all the time, which I mentioned earlier. Hence, people apologise ahead for potential offences. 

However, the main reason is that Nigerians are generally respectful, so it is their own way of being polite. It probably began as a direct translation from the indigenous languages to English. 

So next time you have a Nigerian approach you in this manner, and chances are that it will happen, don’t get offended.

5. The weather is hot and humid

Nigeria is a tropical country with variable rainy and dry seasons; semi-arid in the north and progressively wet towards the south. The weather varies depending on location, and because of the high humidity, it feels much hotter than it is. The rainy season caused by the African monsoon is longer and more intense as you progress north to south. It begins in March in the south, and by June, the rain would have affected the whole country. The relative humidity is also higher during this season, with temperatures between an average range of 28-30°C during the day.

There is usually a break in between called August break because it typically occurs in August. Even though it gets really cold in places like Jos, Plateau State (the coldest state in Nigeria), it never snows in Nigeria. The cooler, drier season known as Harmattan begins from November until February or early March (in the south). At this time, it can get uncomfortably hot, up to 40°C but very cool at night up to freezing temperatures in the northern hilly areas. The harmattan winds (part of Northeast Trade Winds) also brings along dust and reduces visibility. The heat continues to increase in the North till May, while the reverse happens in the south because the rains begin earlier. 

Check out Frequently Asked Questions about Nigeria

6. There’s a hotspot for twin babies

Nigeria, particularly the Yorubas, has the highest rate of twins birth globally, so don’t worry if you find yourself doing double-takes every few minutes. The nation’s home of twins is in Igbo-Ora, Oyo state. It boasts a record of 158 twins per 1,000 births. The story here is that eating yams and okra leaves are directly linked with twins’ high birth rates (could this be why both crops make my two best foods? #twinsalert). There is no scientific evidence to prove this, but the Yoruba people firmly believe it to be true. Even some fertility experts believe that certain yams contain natural hormones that could cause multiple ovulation. Hello, Research topic!!!

Still, on twins, earlier accounts indicate that twins, like albinos, were believed to be evil hence were unwelcomed. Often banished to “evil forest” with their mother or killed. Until Mary Slessor did something about it. Classic case of “be the change you want to see.”

7. The largest economy in Africa. Lots of oil…

Nigeria is the economic heartbeat of Africa with an abundance of natural resources such as oil and gas. The country is a large producer of crude oil with a max crude oil production capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day. The largest in Africa and the sixth-largest oil-producing country in the world (check NNPC). The oil boom began in the 1970s. Oil plays a vital role in the Nigerian economy, accounting for more than 90% of Nigeria’s exports. That’s why any slight price decline, everyone cries. Funny story, the agricultural industry accounts for about 70% of the country’s employment (priorities people).

Although Nigeria is a major exporter of afrobeats, the sounds don’t compare with that of generators. We have so much oil, still marvelling at why we generate little electricity. Lots of oil, little electricity.

8. Afrobeats is one of its greatest export

A unique sound! Don’t confuse it with Afrobeat pioneered in the 1960s by Fela Kuti, another legendary musician. Take note of the “s” for this is the vital differentiator. Makes me wonder, “Why didn’t they just give it another name?” Amkpa idem o!

I’ve been listening to Afrobeats before it even got the name. It combines elements of western African music style with Afrobeat, American and these days European influences. Its rise to fame began in the 2010s from Nigerian entertainers like D’banj, P-Square, Tu-Face Idibia then Fuse ODG (Ghanaian). These days the stars are endless (Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tiwa. Davido, Badoo etc.) with newer sounds from next-gen artists (Tems, Rema, Ayra Starr, OmahLay). The list is endless, and these are only Nigerians. There are Ghanaians, Tanzanians, you name them.

9. Nollywood is the 2nd largest filmmaker in the world

Yes, we call Nigeria’s movie industry Nollywood. Nollywood produces about 50 movies per week, making it one of the largest film industries in the world. Nollywood is the second in the world after Bollywood. So, it is higher in output than Hollywood (say what?!!)

10.  Nigerians are majorly Christians or Muslims

The country is basically half Christian, half Muslim. Majority of the Christians tend to be in the south, east and west, while the Muslims are mainly in the north and west. There are more churches and mosques than there are hospitals in the country. Religion is a part and parcel of everyday life in the country to the extent the lines between religious activities and work activity is blurred. Expect to see people praying at the start of meetings or even before the start of business day. Display of religious affiliations on door posts, cars, and even as clothing accessories is pretty common in Nigeria.

11. Home to the richest man in Africa

Yes, the richest man is from Nigeria. His name is Aliko Dangote, and he is from Kano. He owns the Dangote Group that was established way back in 1977. His net worth is over US$ 12 billion with investments in Agriculture, Banking, Cement, Manufacturing, Salt, Sugar. He has one head sha.

Dangote, Dangote
Dangote still dey find money o.. (in Burna Boy‘s voice).

12. Spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The country is home to two picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa and Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in Osun. The former is physical expression of a society and its spiritual and material culture with the Palace of the Hidi (Chief) on a hill dominating the villages below. The latter was regarded as the abode of the Yoruba goddess of fertility Osun. It is also one of the last remnants of primary high forest in southern Nigeria and is seen as a symbol of identity for the Yoruba people.

13. The highest point in Nigeria is Chappal Waddi

Chappal Waddi (elevation 2419 m) is located in Taraba State, in the Gashaka Gumti National Park on the Mambilla Plateau (thank you Wikipedia) near Cameroon. Mt Chappal Waddi is also called Gangirwal, meaning ‘Mountain of Death’ in Fulfulde, because of an unconquerable gully that exists in the Southern corner of the Nigerian side of the range. Add this to your must-see list.

14. …the largest national park

Gashaka Gumti National park is the largest of the eight national parks in Nigeria. The park is located in the mountainous region of north-eastern Nigeria (parts of Taraba and Adamawa States) to the border with Cameroon. It spans 6 731 sq. km. It began a forest reserve in 1970 and was later transformed into a park in 1991.

I wasn’t even aware we had one let alone eight national parks in Nigeria. We learn every day!

15. Using the left hand is rude

… or unclean.
Collect with your left hand? When you’re not mad! Shebi you want to be unfortunate ni!
These are some of the reactions you might get when you try to perform some acts with your left hand.

This is a common culture in most African countries. Doing certain actions with the left hand, especially when the culprit is younger, is seen as a sign of disrespect by many Nigerians. I am guilty of this too. Where two or more people are involved, the younger is not to receive items with the left hand.

Making use of your left hand is also taken as asking for bad luck by some Nigerians. Those who believe this don’t eat, shake hands or receive items with their left hand.

Just to add, some of the Florida’s palms are from Nigeria, taken to the US in 1936.

The first African recipient of the Nobel Prize of Literature is Nigerian.

Wole Soyinka won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, making him the first-ever African recipient.

First Olympic gold medals won in 1996.

Super Eagles for men’s football and Chioma Ajunwa for women’s long jump. I can remember the sounds of joy. That year, we won two Gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

The first African woman to win the Miss World pageant was Nigerian.

Agbani Darego is her name, and she won in 2001

First Africans to qualify for Olympics bob-sledding event.

Championed by three women – Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere, and Akuoma Omeoga. Also, first Nigerian athletes to compete in the Winter Olympics event.

So, how many of these interesting facts did you know?

Ever visited Nigeria? or maybe you live in the incredible country. I’ll love to hear your favourite part of the country. Do share in the comment section.