Country Profile: Nigeria

Nigeria, located in West Africa, is Africa's most populous nation, characterized by a rich tapestry of ethnic groups and languages. The country, which borders the Gulf of Guinea, combines a diverse geography that includes coastal areas, dense tropical forests, and arid northern regions. Since gaining independence from Britain in 1960, Nigeria has transitioned through various forms of governance, currently functioning as a federal presidential republic. Its economy is the largest in Africa, heavily reliant on oil exports, yet plagued by challenges such as corruption and mismanagement.

Geography

Nigeria is situated in Western Africa, bordered by the Gulf of Guinea to the south and sharing land borders with Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Covering an area of 923,768 sq km, the country features a variety of terrains, including lowlands in the south and plateaus in the central region. The climate varies from equatorial in the southern regions to arid in the north, with significant agricultural land use.

4,477 km: Total land boundaries.
76.2%: Proportion of agricultural land (2023).
19.1%: Forest cover as of 2023.
2,419 m: Highest point, Chappal Waddi.
40.5%: Arable land use in agriculture (2023).

People and Society

As of 2025, Nigeria's population is estimated at 244,344,065, making it the largest in Africa. It is a melting pot of over 250 ethnic groups, with major groups including the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. The official language is English, but many indigenous languages are spoken across the country. The population is predominantly Muslim (53.5%) and Christian (46.3%).

40.4%: Population aged 0-14 years (2025).
2.39%: Projected annual population growth rate (2025).
3.4%: Elderly dependency ratio (2025).
63.2%: Literacy rate (2021).
54.3%: Urban population share (2023).

Economy

Nigeria boasts Africa's largest economy, primarily driven by oil exports, which significantly influence its financial landscape. The country's GDP is projected at $1.318 trillion (PPP) for 2024. However, the economy faces challenges, including high inflation rates and a considerable informal sector. Agriculture remains a critical employment sector for the majority of the population.

20.4%: Agriculture's contribution to GDP (2024).
3%: Unemployment rate (2024).
$5,700: Per capita GDP (2024).
33.2%: Projected inflation rate (2024).
40.1%: Population living below the poverty line (2018).

Government

The Federal Republic of Nigeria operates under a presidential system, with Abuja as the capital. The country has a complex legal system that incorporates English common law and Islamic law in certain regions. The governance structure features a bicameral National Assembly, and recent elections have transitioned power to different political parties peacefully.

36 states and 1 territory: Administrative divisions.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Current head of state since May 2023.
Rating: Elections in 2023 deemed broadly free and fair.
Suffrage: Universal voting age of 18.
Last significant election: 2023, with Tinubu winning 36.6% of the votes.

Military and Security

Nigeria's armed forces include the Army, Navy, and Air Force, tasked with maintaining internal security amid challenges from armed groups and terrorism. Amid rising threats, particularly from Islamist militias and banditry, the military is expanding its capabilities and response strategies.

140,000: Estimated active military personnel (2025).
0.6% of GDP: Military expenditures as of 2024.
70,000 troops: Deployed at times against Boko Haram.
Deployment: Regional commitments in peacekeeping missions, including in Africa.

Energy

Nigeria's energy sector is primarily reliant on fossil fuels, with substantial production of oil and natural gas. Electricity access remains limited, particularly in rural areas, where just 27% of the population is connected to the grid.

1.514 million bbl/day: Oil production (2023).
38.248 billion cubic meters: Natural gas production (2023).
60.5%: Electrification rate for the total population (2022).
4.094 million kW: Installed electricity generation capacity (2023).
72.425 million metric tonnes: CO2 emissions from petroleum (2023).

Environment

Nigeria grapples with significant environmental challenges, including pollution, deforestation, and land degradation. Rapid urbanization exacerbates these issues, leading to loss of arable land and increased pressure on water resources.

76.2%: Agricultural land use affecting environment (2023).
4.7%: Municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
27 million tons: Annual municipal solid waste generated (2024).
56 µg/m³: Particulate matter emissions (2019).
114.397 million metric tonnes: Total carbon dioxide emissions (2023).

Transportation

Nigeria's transportation infrastructure includes an extensive road network, railways, and air transport facilities. The country has 50 airports and a merchant fleet, but rail services are underdeveloped, with many lines in disrepair.

3,798 km: Railway total length (2014).
28 ports, including major oil terminals (2024).
928 vessels: Total merchant marine (2023).
15 heliports: Available for air transport (2025).

Communications

With a growing mobile communication network, Nigeria has seen a rise in connectivity. In 2024, mobile cellular subscriptions reached 165 million, reflecting the increasing access to telecommunication services.

39%: Internet user percentage (2023).
117,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
112,000: Fixed-line telephones (2023).
71 subscriptions: Mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2024).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	244,344,065 (2025 est.)
Area	923,768 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.318 trillion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	7.993 million Btu/person (2023)
Birth rate	33.56 births/1,000 population	(2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	3% (2024 est.)
Electrification (total)	60.5% (2022 est.)
Life expectancy	62.2 years (2024 est.)
Literacy rate	63.2% (2021 est.)
Urban population	54.3% (2023)