Country Summary
Introduction
Background
Africa’s most populous country attained independence from Britain in 1960. Adoption of a new constitution in 1999 completed a peaceful transition to civilian rule. The government continues to face the daunting task of institutionalizing democracy and reforming a petroleum-based economy.
Geography
Area
total: 923,768 sq km
land: 910,768 sq km
water: 13,000 sq km
Climate
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
Natural resources
natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, arable land
People and Society
Population
225,082,083 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups
Hausa 30%, Yoruba 15.5%, Igbo (Ibo) 15.2%, Fulani 6%, Tiv 2.4%, Kanuri/Beriberi 2.4%, Ibibio 1.8%, Ijaw/Izon 1.8%, other 24.9% (2018 est.)
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages
Religions
Muslim 53.5%, Roman Catholic 10.6%, other Christian 35.3%, other .6% (2018 est.)
Population growth rate
2.53% (2022 est.)
Government
Government type
federal presidential republic
Capital
name: Abuja
Executive branch
chief of state: President Maj. Gen. (ret.) Muhammadu BUHARI (since 29 May 2015); Vice President Oluyemi "Yemi" OSINBAJO (since 29 May 2015); note - the president is both chief of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces
head of government: President Maj. Gen. (ret.) Muhammadu BUHARI (since 29 May 2015); Vice President Oluyemi "Yemi" OSINBAJO (since 29 May 2015)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral National Assembly consists of:
Senate (109 seats - 3 each for the 36 states and 1 for Abuja-Federal Capital Territory; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
House of Representatives (360 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
one of the largest West African economies; oil-dependent exports, revenues, and credit; COVID-19 and oil price shocks have resulted in slowing growth, high inflation, increasing unemployment; frequent disruptions due to political instability, especially in the north
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1,013,530,000,000 (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$4,900 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
cassava, yams, maize, oil palm fruit, rice, vegetables, sorghum, groundnuts, fruit, sweet potatoes
Industries
crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; rubber products, wood; hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel
Exports
$39.94 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
India 16%, Spain 10%, United States 7%, France 7%, Netherlands 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, scrap vessels, flexible metal tubing, cocoa beans (2019)
Imports
$72.18 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
China 30%, Netherlands 11%, United States 6%, Belgium 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, wheat, laboratory glassware, packaged medicines (2019)
Exchange rates
nairas (NGN) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Thursday, August 18, 2022
