Nigeria

Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world.

Nigeria borders Benin to the west, Chad to the northeast, Cameroon to the east, and Niger to the north. Its coast lies on the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. The country is crisscrossed by a number of rivers, the most important of which are the Niger and the Benue.

Nigeria boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage, with over 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages. Major ethnic groups include the Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Fulani. Traditional music, dance, and art are integral parts of Nigerian life, alongside a growing modern creative industry.

The history of Nigeria is long and complex, with evidence of early human settlement dating back thousands of years. It has been home to various kingdoms and empires, including the Nok culture, the Benin Empire, and the Oyo Empire. Nigeria's modern history is marked by British colonial rule, independence in 1960, and periods of military and civilian governments.

This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.