Country Profile: Nigeria

Nigeria, located in Western Africa along the Gulf of Guinea, is the continent's most populous nation with a diverse ethnic landscape comprising over 250 groups. The country transitioned to a federal republic following independence from British colonial rule in 1960, and despite ongoing challenges including corruption and regional violence, it remains Africa's largest economy largely driven by oil exports. Nigeria's complex governance structure continues to evolve, facing the dual pressures of fostering democracy while addressing significant security threats from various factions.

Geography

Nigeria spans an area of 923,768 sq km, making it comparable to six times the size of Georgia, USA. The terrain varies from southern lowlands to central hills and arid northern plains, with the tropical climate influenced by surrounding water bodies. The country shares borders with Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, and features a coastline of 853 km along the Gulf of Guinea.

4,477 km total land boundaries.
Highest point: Chappal Waddi at 2,419 m.
Major river: Niger River, with a length of 4,200 km.
76.2% of land used for agriculture (2023 est.).
Home to Lake Chad, varying in size between 10,360-25,900 sq km.

People and Society

With an estimated population of 244 million by 2025, Nigeria is home to diverse ethnic groups such as Hausa (30%), Yoruba (15.5%), and Igbo (15.2%). The country is predominantly Muslim (53.5%) and Christian (around 46%). Nigeria has a youthful demographic, with a median age of 19.4 years and about 40.4% of its population under 15.

Population growth rate: 2.39% (2025 est.).
Birth rate: 33.56 births per 1,000 (2025 est.).
Urban population: 54.3% (2023).
Literacy rate: 63.2% (2021 est.).
Life expectancy: 62.2 years (2024 est.).

Economy

Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, heavily reliant on oil exports which contribute significantly to its GDP. The GDP (PPP) in 2024 is projected to be $1.318 trillion with a growth rate of 3.4%. Despite economic potential, the country faces high inflation and a considerable poverty rate.

Unemployment rate: 3% (2024 est.).
GDP per capita: $5,700 (2024 est.).
40.1% of the population lives below the poverty line (2018 est.).
Major export partners include the USA, Spain, and France.
Agricultural sector accounts for 20.4% of GDP (2024 est.).

Government

Nigeria operates as a federal presidential republic with 36 states and a central territory. The capital, Abuja, became the seat of government in 1991. The political landscape is characterized by a robust constitution that has seen multiple amendments since its adoption in 1999.

Current President: Bola Ahmed Tinubu (since May 29, 2023).
Citizens have the right to vote at 18 years of age.
The National Assembly is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives (360 members) and the Senate (109 members).
Official language: English.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Nigeria consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, tasked with internal and external security. The military faces challenges, including terrorism from groups like Boko Haram and banditry affecting the northeast and northwest regions.

Estimated active personnel: 140,000 (2025).
Military expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2024).
Engaged in international peacekeeping with deployments in Sudan and Gambia.
The military’s primary focus includes combating terrorism and maintaining internal order.

Energy

Nigeria's energy sector is predominantly based on fossil fuels, with an installed electricity generation capacity of 4.094 million kW. However, access to electricity remains limited, particularly in rural areas.

77.1% of electricity generation from fossil fuels (2023).
Total petroleum production: 1.514 million bbl/day (2023).
Natural gas production: 38.248 billion cubic meters (2023).
Electrification rate: 60.5% of the population (2022).

Environment

Nigeria faces various environmental challenges including urban pollution, deforestation, and oil spill contamination. Despite these issues, the country participates in several international environmental agreements.

Agricultural land constitutes 76.2% of total land use (2023).
Carbon dioxide emissions: 114.397 million metric tonnes (2023).
Total renewable water resources estimated at 286.2 billion cubic meters (2022).

Transportation

Nigeria's transportation infrastructure includes a mix of air, road, rail, and maritime services. Despite the challenges, it features 50 airports and over 3,798 km of railway, though many lines are in disrepair.

Total merchant marine vessels: 928 (2023).
Airports: 50 (2025).
Civil aircraft registration code: 5N.

Communications

Telecommunications in Nigeria have expanded significantly, with mobile subscriptions reaching 165 million in 2024. However, internet penetration remains moderate.

Internet users represent 39% of the population (2023).
Fixed telephone subscriptions total around 112,000 (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	244,344,065	Estimated for 2025
Area	923,768 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.318 trillion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	3%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	33.56 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2025
Life Expectancy	62.2 years	Estimated for 2024
Military Expenditures	0.6% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Electrification Rate	60.5%	Estimated for 2022
Urbanization Rate	54.3%	Estimated for 2023
Dependency Ratio	78	Estimated for 2025