NIGERIA
AT A GLANCE
BASIC INFORMATION
Official
Title of State: Federal Republic of Nigeria
Independence Date: October 1, 1960.
Area of Land: 923,766 sq.km; 923,768 sq. km.
Population: 120 million (estimated)
National Capital: Abuja, the administrative seat of government.
The capital was officially moved from Lagos to Abuja on December 12, 1991.
Government: Presidential system; operates a three-tier
of government: – Federal, State and Local or Municipal Governments;
Number of States: 36
Number of Local Governments: 774
Official Language: English
Geography: Nigeria is situated in the West African sub-region
region. It lies between Longitudes 3 degrees and 14 degrees East of Greenwich
and Latitudes 4 degrees and 140 degrees north of the equator.
International Boundaries: North (Republics of Niger and
Chad); West: (Republic of Benin); East: (Republic of Cameroon); South:
(Atlantic Ocean).
Coastline: about 800km, which confers on the country
the potentials of a Maritime power. Land is abundant in Nigeria for agricultural,
industrial and commercial activities.
Climate: Tropical and relatively high; Seasonal variation
- daily temperature ranges from 22-36 degrees centigrade.
Seasons: two basic seasons - Wet season (April to October);
and Dry season (November to March). Dry season commences with Harmattan,
(a dry chilly spell that lasts till February).
Hottest months: February – March: Temperature ranges
from 33 to 38 degrees centigrade. The extremes of the wet season are felt
on the southeastern coast where Annual rainfall ranges from 90cm to 330cm;
while the extremes of the dry season are felt in the last one third, north
of the country.
Nigerian People: Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and culturally
diverse country. The three major, ethnic groups are the Hausas, Igbos
and Yorubas. Over 374 languages have been identified in Nigeria.
Major Indigenous Languages: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba
Other Languages: Edo, Tiv, Kanuri, Urhobo, Fulfude, Ibibio,
Efik, Itsekiri, Nupe, Jukun and Ijaw. Pidgin English which is a hybrid
of English and local jargon is also widely used.
History: Nigeria has an estimated over 250 ethnic groups.
Virtually all native races in Africa are represented in Nigeria, hence
the great diversities of her people and culture. It was in Nigeria that
the Bantu and Semi-Bantu, migrating from southern and central Africa,
intermingled with the Sudanese. Later, other groups such as Shuwa-Arabs,
the Tuaregs, and the Fulanis.
Art & Culture: nigerian Arts and Culture are as varied
as the 374 linguistic groups in the country. Nigeria's culture is rich
in oral traditions, philosophy, rites and rituals; dance, music, fashion
and drama. Part of the most visible aspects of Nigeria’s cultural
heritage include the mode of dressing of the various linguistic groups,
which varies from woven flowing robes to loin cloths with shirts worn
over it, to wrappers and headgear of various sizes, shapes and colours.
Arts: bronze work, wood and ivory sculptures; ceramics, terracotta pieces (of the Nok culture), iron works and many others can be found in popular galleries and museums around the world. Others are silver and leather works, cloth weaving and decorated calabash works. Archaeological discoveries of the Nok Culture indicate that the cultural heritage of Nigeria dates back to over 2,000 years.
Custodians/Curators: National Antiquity Commission, National Museum, Centre for Black Arts & Civilization (CBAAC) and the National Theater, Lagos.
Music Art: assorted forms of traditional music flourish in Nigeria and modern ones in form of Afro-beat, Juju, Highlife, and pop, etc. Many musicians use traditional instruments while others blend the traditional and modern instruments together as a new trend.
Religions/Festivals: deeply rooted in the culture are the traditional religions whichhave rituals attached to them. Some specific rituals have become so popular that they have metamorphosed into festivals, some have become tourist attractions. The Osun-Oshogbo festival is one of such.
Main Religions: Christianity, Islam, Traditional.