Fun Facts About Nigeria

Fun Facts About Nigeria You Didn’t Know

As we celebrate our beloved country’s Independence from colonial rule, LagosMums would like to take you through a couple of fun facts about Nigeria you didn’t know. As parents and educators we need to help our children explore Nigeria both through history and other tidbits.

Nigeria Street Keke
Culture

Nigeria is known for its hospitality and as the commercial/cultural nerve of Africa.

  • The entire population of Nigeria accounts for about 2.5% of the entire earth’s population. This means that about 1 out of every 40 people in the world are from Nigeria.
  • The Niger Delta is the second largest delta on planet Earth!
  • A study of more than 65 countries published in the UK’s New Scientist magazine suggests that the happiest people in the world live in Nigeria. In a 53-country Gallup poll, Nigerians were rated 70 points for optimism.
Infrastructure and Geography
  • The Third Mainland Bridge connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, is the longest bridge in Africa. It measures about 11.8km and was completed in 1990.
  • Nigeria has the largest diversity of butterflies.  Areas surrounding Calabar, Cross River State in the southern part of Nigeria, has the world’s largest diversity of butterflies.
  • The Cross River forest is the only evergreen rainforest in Africa and contains over 1000 species of birds and amphibians.
  • Nigeria is one of the oldest locations of human existence, dating back to 9000 BC and the Nok civilization is the earliest known civilization since 500 BC – 200 AD
  • The highest peak in Nigeria is located in Taraba State. Its called the Chappal Waddi, which means the mountain of Death
  • Nigeria is the first country to launch a space satellite in Africa
  • There are over 500 ethnic groups in Nigeria, of which the three largest are Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. English is the official language. though there are over 600 distinct ethnic languages spoken in Nigeria. [Read: How To Have The Perfect Summer Vacation]
African ArtBusiness and Entertainment
  • Nigerian billionaire industrialist, Aliko Dangote, is Africa’s richest man. His worth is estimated at $12 billion.
  • The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, is now the second largest in the world in terms of output, producing between 1000 to 2000 films annually with an annual turnover of around $250million.
  • Folorunso Alakija is a Nigerian businesswoman, one of the richest African women, and one of the richest black women in the world. In 2014, she temporarily unseated Oprah Winfrey as the richest woman of African descent in the world.
  • Kaffy is best known for breaking the Guinness World Record for “Longest Dance Party” at the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon in 2006.

Well that is all for now, do you know any other facts we are missing? Share with us.

Happy Independence Day Nigeria!

Scroll to Top