Country Profile: Nigeria

Nigeria, located in West Africa, is bordered by the Gulf of Guinea to the south and shares land borders with Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. It is the most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of over 244 million. The nation has a mixed economy, primarily driven by oil exports and agriculture, yet grappling with challenges of corruption and resource mismanagement. Nigeria operates as a federal presidential republic, having transitioned to civilian rule in 1999 after years of military governance, but continues to experience regional and ethnic tensions.

Geography

Nigeria is situated in Western Africa, covering an area of 923,768 square kilometers, which makes it slightly larger than California. The terrain varies from southern lowlands to central hills and arid regions in the north, with significant waterways including the Niger River and Lake Chad. The country experiences a diverse climate, with equatorial conditions in the south and increasingly arid states in the north.

Area: 923,768 sq km (2023)
Coastline: 853 km
Highest Point: Chappal Waddi at 2,419 m
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, tin, iron ore, and arable land
Land Use: 76.2% agricultural land (2023)

People and Society

Nigeria boasts a population of approximately 244 million in 2025, with a youthful median age of 19.4 years. The country is home to over 250 ethnic groups, with the largest being Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. English is the official language, reflecting its colonial history, while the population is predominantly Muslim and Christian. Urbanization is rapidly increasing, with 54.3% of the population living in urban areas as of 2023.

Population: 244,344,065 (2025 est.)
Urban Population: 54.3% (2023)
Ethnic Groups: Hausa 30%, Yoruba 15.5%, Igbo 15.2%
Literacy Rate: 63.2% (2021 est.)
Life Expectancy: 62.2 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Nigeria's economy is the largest in Africa and is heavily reliant on oil exports. The GDP, based on purchasing power parity, is estimated at $1.318 trillion in 2024, with services comprising the largest sector at 47%. Despite its resources, the country faces challenges such as a significant unemployment rate and high inflation, which was recorded at 33.2% for 2024.

GDP (PPP): $1.318 trillion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 3% (2024 est.)
Poverty Rate: 40.1% (2018 est.)
Major Industries: Oil, agriculture, telecommunications
Youth Unemployment Rate: 5.1% (2024 est.)

Government

Nigeria operates as a federal presidential republic, with the capital city located in Abuja. It is divided into 36 states and one federal territory. The government structure allows for significant regional autonomy, but the nation continues to grapple with ethnic tensions and corruption. The current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been in office since May 2023.

Government Type: Federal presidential republic
Capital: Abuja
Independence: 1 October 1960
Legislative Structure: Bicameral National Assembly
Recent Election: February 25, 2023

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Nigeria are tasked with national defense and internal security, combating threats such as terrorism from Boko Haram and other violent groups. The military's expenditure is around 0.6% of GDP in 2024, and the country has made significant contributions to international peacekeeping efforts.

Active Personnel: Estimated 140,000 (2025)
Military Expenditure: 0.6% of GDP (2024)
Major Threats: Boko Haram, criminal gangs
Military Deployments: Troops in operations across multiple countries in West Africa (2025)
Service Age: 18-25 years (voluntary)

Energy

Nigeria has considerable energy resources, particularly in oil and natural gas. However, electricity access remains limited, with only 60.5% of the population having electricity as of 2022. The country produces a significant amount of crude oil, around 1.514 million barrels per day.

Electricity Access: 60.5% (2022 est.)
Oil Production: 1.514 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 38.248 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Installed Capacity: 4.094 million kW (2023 est.)
Coal Production: 1.322 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Environment

Nigeria faces several environmental challenges, including urban air and water pollution, rapid deforestation, and soil degradation. The country is a party to numerous international environmental agreements, tackling issues like biodiversity and climate change.

CO2 Emissions: 114.397 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Urban Population: 54.3% (2023)
Water Resources: Total renewable water resources is 286.2 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Waste Generation: 27.615 million tons annually (2024 est.)
Deforestation Rate: Significant ongoing degradation of forest areas

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes 50 airports and a merchant marine fleet of 928 ships. The railway system covers 3,798 km, although much of it is in poor condition.

Airports: 50 (2025)
Railways: 3,798 km (2014)
Merchant Marine: 928 total vessels (2023)
Ports: 28 (2024)
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: 5N

Communications

Telecommunications in Nigeria is rapidly growing, with a mobile cellular subscription rate reaching 165 million in 2024. However, fixed-line subscriptions remain low, indicating a communications infrastructure heavily reliant on mobile technology.

Mobile Subscriptions: 165 million (2024 est.)
Internet Users: 39% of the population (2023 est.)
Broadcast Media: Nearly 70 national TV stations
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 112,000 (2023 est.)
Broadband Subscriptions: 117,000 (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	244,344,065 (2025 est.)
Area	923,768 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.318 trillion (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	60.5% (2022 est.)
Unemployment Rate	3% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	33.56 births/1,000 (2025)
Life Expectancy	62.2 years (2024 est.)
Urban Population	54.3% (2023)
CO2 Emissions	114.397 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Military Expenditure	0.6% of GDP (2024)