Countries | Home / countries / Nigeria

Last update: January, 21 2021

Nigeria

flag of Nigeria
Government
NameFederal Republic of Nigeria
HausaJamhuriyar Taraiyar Najeriya
IgboỌ̀hàńjíkọ̀ Ọ̀hànézè Naìjíríyà 
YorubaOrílẹ̀-èdè Olómìniira Àpapọ̀ Nàìjíríà
Government typefederal presidential republic
CapitalAbuja (776,298 (2006))
CurrencyNaira (NGN)
Organization
Member StateCommonwealth of Nations
People
Population (2020)206,139,587 (7th)
Density of population218 P/km2 (42nd)
NationalityNigerian
Official languages
English
Ethnic groups (2018)
Hausa30%
Yoruba15.5%
Igbo (Ibo)15.2%
Fulani6%
Tiv2.4%
Kanuri / Beriberi 2.4%
Ibibio1.8%
Ijaw / Izon1.8%
other24.7
note: more than 250 ethnic groups in total
Religions (2018)
Muslim53.5%
Roman Catholic10.6%
other Christian35.3%
other0.6%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male58.6 years
Female62.3 years
Total population60.4 years (217th)
Homicides
Total (2016)34.5 per 100,000 people (10th)
Geography
Land area910,768 km2
water area13,000 km2
total area923,768 km2 (33rd)
Mean elevation380 m
Lowest point
Atlantic Ocean0 m
Highest point
Chappal Waddi2,419 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land78%
Arable land37.3%
Permanent crops7.4%
Permanent pasture33.3%
Forest9.5%
Other12.5%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)52%
Rate of urbanization4.23% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)60.08 million  (10th)
Labor force by occupation (1999)
Agriculture70%
Industry10%
Services 20%
Unemployment rate (2017)16.5% (178th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2020)
Total$1.275 trillion (23rd)
Per capita$6,232 (129th)
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2020)
Total$504.57 billion (27th)
Per capita$2,465 (137th)
GDP by sector (estimate 2016)
Agriculture21.1%
Industry22.5%
Services56.4%
Exports (2017)$1.146 billion (154th)
Exports partners (2017)
India30.6%
US12.1%
Spain6.6%
China5.6%
France5.5%
Netherlands4.4%
Indonesia4.4
Imports (2017)$32.67 billion (62th)
Imports partners (2017)
China21.1%
Belgium8.7%
US8.4%
South Korea7.5%
UK4.4%

Nigeria on the world map

Nigeria on the world map

Nigeria top 10 largest cities (2006)

  1. Lagos (8,048,430)
  2. Kano (2,828,861)
  3. Ibadan (2,559,853)
  4. Benin City (1,147,188)
  5. Port Harcourt (1,005,904)
  6. Jos (821,618)
  7. Ilorin (777,667)
  8. Abuja (776,298)
  9. Kaduna (760,084)
  10. Enugu (722,664)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Nigeria (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 41.7% (male 45,571,738/female 43,674,769)
  • 15-24 years: 20.27% (male 22,022,660/female 21,358,753)
  • 25-54 years: 30.6% (male 32,808,913/female 32,686,474)
  • 55-64 years: 4.13% (male 4,327,847/female 4,514,264)
  • 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 3,329,083/female 3,733,801)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

CC BY

Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

CC BY

Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Major rivers

Economy

Agriculture:

cocoa, peanuts, cotton, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (manioc, tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish

Industries:

crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; rubber products, wood; hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel

Exports – commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products 95% (2012), cocoa, rubber

Imports – commodities:

machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals

Time zone and current time in Nigeria

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Nigeria

Sources: