Country Profile: Nigeria

Nigeria, located in West Africa, is bordered by the Gulf of Guinea to the south and is known for its diverse geography, comprising equatorial regions in the south, tropical areas in the center, and arid climates in the north. As Africa's most populous nation with over 236 million residents, it showcases a rich tapestry of more than 250 ethnic groups, primarily Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo. The country has a mixed economy heavily reliant on oil exports, while also grappling with challenges such as corruption and security issues stemming from terrorism and secessionist movements.

Geography

Nigeria spans an area of 923,768 sq km, making it slightly larger than California. The nation's terrain includes southern lowlands that transition into central hills and plateaus, with the highest point at 2,419 m in the Chappal Waddi mountains. It features a coastline of 853 km along the Gulf of Guinea and rich natural resources including petroleum and natural gas.

76.2% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
The Niger River, one of West Africa's longest rivers, flows through Nigeria, enriching its ecosystems.
The country shares borders with Benin (809 km), Cameroon (1,975 km), Chad (85 km), and Niger (1,608 km).

People and Society

Nigeria has an estimated population of 236,747,130 as of 2024, with a majority living in urban areas (54.3%). The youth heavily dominate the demographic landscape, with 40.4% of the population under the age of 15, while the median age is just 19.3 years. Ethnically diverse, it includes notable groups like the Hausa (30%), Yoruba (15.5%), and Igbo (15.2%).

English is the official language, supplemented by over 500 indigenous languages.
Predominantly Muslim (53.5%), with other significant religious groups being Christians.
Urbanization is growing at an annual rate of 3.92% (2020-2025).

Economy

As the largest African economy, Nigeria's GDP (PPP) is expected to reach $1.318 trillion in 2024. The country has a significant oil sector that influences its economy while facing threats from fluctuating global oil prices. The economy also has essential contributions from agriculture, finance, and telecommunications.

47% of GDP comes from the services sector (2024).
The unemployment rate is expected to be 3% in 2024.
40.1% of the population lived below the poverty line as of 2018.

Government

Nigeria operates as a federal presidential republic with its capital in Abuja. The country is divided into 36 states and one territory, governed under a mixed legal system that incorporates English common law, Islamic law, and traditional laws. The current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, took office on May 29, 2023.

The nation adopted its latest constitution on May 5, 1999.
The voting age is 18 years, with universal suffrage.
The National Assembly consists of a bicameral legislature, including the House of Representatives (360 seats) and the Senate (109 seats).

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Nigeria consists of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The military faces various internal security challenges, including terrorism from groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State affiliates. The government is actively modernizing its military capabilities while also engaging local security forces to address rising violence.

0.6% of GDP is allocated to military expenditures in 2024.
Estimated 140,000 active military personnel (2025).
They participate in various international peacekeeping missions across the region.

Energy

Nigeria is a significant producer of energy, especially oil and gas, contributing to a total petroleum production of 1.514 million barrels/day in 2023. However, the country faces challenges with electricity access, where approximately 60.5% of the population has electricity.

77.1% of electricity generation comes from fossil fuels (2023).
The electricity consumption is estimated at 34.135 billion kWh (2023).
Proven crude oil reserves are at 36.89 billion barrels (2021).

Environment

Nigeria faces notable environmental issues such as urban pollution, deforestation, and soil degradation. It is a signatory to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity.

76.2% of land is used for agriculture, with 19.1% forest cover (2023).
The country produced 114.397 million metric tons of CO2 in 2023.
Urban air pollution is a significant concern, alongside the effects of oil spills.

Transportation

Nigeria has a diverse transportation network that includes railways, roads, and air travel. However, the railway infrastructure is in disrepair, with many lines needing replacement.

There are 50 airports in Nigeria, with ongoing improvements planned for civil aviation.
The railway system spans 3,798 km, but most lines are in disrepair as of 2018.
The merchant marine includes 928 vessels (2023).

Communications

The communications sector in Nigeria features a rapidly expanding mobile network, with 224 million mobile cellular subscriptions recorded in 2023. Internet penetration stands at 39% of the population, hinting at substantial growth potential in digital connectivity.

Fixed-line subscriptions are low at 112,000 (2023).
Nigeria operates nearly 70 federal and private television stations.
Digital television transition was completed in 2019 in three states.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	236,747,130 (2024 est.)
Area	923,768 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.318 trillion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	3% (2024 est.)
Birth rate	33.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	62.2 years (2024 est.)
Urban population	54.3% (2023)