CapitalAbuja
Population244,344,065
Area923,768 km²
GDP per capita$5,700
LanguagesEnglish , Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo , Fulani, and over 500 other native languages
Currencynairas
Life Expectancy62.2 yr
Governmentfederal presidential republic
Introduction
Background
During ancient and pre-colonial eras, the region now known as Nigeria was inhabited by numerous ethnic groups, each with distinct languages and cultural practices. Among these were significant Islamic empires such as Borno, Kano, and the Sokoto Caliphate, which held sway over the northern regions, along with the Benin and Oyo Empires that dominated much of present-day western Nigeria. Additionally, there were various decentralized political structures and city-states in the southern and southeastern parts of the country. In 1914, the British united their separately governed northern and southern regions into a single Colony and Protectorate named Nigeria.
Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960 and evolved into a federal republic with three constituent states by 1963, under the leadership of President Nnamdi AZIKIWE. This political framework intensified regional and ethnic strife, culminating in a violent coup in 1966, primarily orchestrated by military officers from the southeast, followed by a countercoup later that same year led by northern military personnel. In the wake of this turmoil, the governor of Nigeria’s Eastern Region, which was based in the southeast, proclaimed the region's independence as the Republic of Biafra. The ensuing civil war (1967-1970) resulted in over a million fatalities, many due to famine. Although the conflict resulted in a more unified Nigerian state and a stronger national identity, it also fostered enduring distrust towards the predominantly Igbo population of the southeast. The wartime military leader, Yakubu GOWON, remained in power until a non-violent coup in 1975 executed by discontented junior officers. This cohort of officers, which included future presidents Olusegun OBASANJO, Ibrahim BABANGIDA, and Muhammadu BUHARI, continues to hold significant sway in Nigeria's political landscape today.
Military governance persisted until 1999, which marked the first stable transition to civilian rule and the establishment of a new constitution. The 2007 elections were notable as the first instance of civilian-to-civilian power transfer in Nigeria’s history. The national and state elections in 2011 and 2015 were widely recognized as credible. The 2015 election was particularly significant as the All Progressives Congress, a coalition opposition party, ousted the long-dominant People's Democratic Party, which had been in power since 1999, facilitating the first peaceful transition of power between parties. The presidential and legislative elections held in 2019 and 2023 were generally regarded as broadly free and fair, despite incidents of voting irregularities, intimidation, and violence. The government of Africa's most populous nation continues to grapple with the formidable challenge of entrenching democratic practices and reforming a petroleum-dependent economy, whose revenues have been mismanaged amid decades of corruption. Additionally, Nigeria is confronted with escalating violence from Islamic terrorism, particularly in the northeast, widespread criminal banditry, separatist unrest in the southeast, and competition over land and resources across the country.
Geography
Area
land
910,768 sq km
water
13,000 sq km
total
923,768 sq km
Climate
varies; equatorial in the southern region, tropical in the central area, arid in the northern part
Terrain
the southern lowlands transition into central hills and plateaus; southeast features mountains, while the northern region consists of plains
Land use
other
4.7% (2023 est.)
forest
19.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
76.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 40.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 8.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 27.6% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Western Africa, it borders the Gulf of Guinea, situated between Benin and Cameroon
Coastline
853 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Chappal Waddi 2,419 m
mean elevation
380 m
Irrigated land
2,188 sq km (2017)
Major aquifers
Lake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Aquifer System
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
4,477 km
border countries
Benin 809 km; Cameroon 1,975 km; Chad 85 km; Niger 1,608 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
experiences periodic droughts and flooding
Geography - note
the Niger River enters the nation from the northwest and flows southward through tropical rainforests and swamps, reaching its delta in the Gulf of Guinea
Natural resources
natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, and arable land
Area - comparative
approximately six times larger than Georgia; slightly more than double the size of California
Geographic coordinates
10 00 N, 8 00 E
Population distribution
the most populous nation in Africa; population clusters are distributed throughout the country, with the highest density found in the south and southwest, as depicted in the population distribution map
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s)
Lake Chad (an endorheic lake shared with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km
note - the area fluctuates by season and from year to year
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Niger (2,261,741 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage
Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Niger river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Niger) - 4,200 km
note: [s] indicates river source after country name; [m] indicates river mouth after country name
People & Society
Literacy
male
73.7% (2021 est.)
female
53.3% (2021 est.)
total population
63.2% (2021 est.)
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, and over 500 other native languages
Religions
Muslim 53.5%, Roman Catholic 10.6%, other Christian 35.3%, other 0.6% (2018 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.01 male(s)/female
total population
1.02 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.88 male(s)/female
Birth rate
33.56 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.42 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
19.1 years
total
19.4 years (2025 est.)
female
19.6 years
Population
male
123,511,557
total
244,344,065 (2025 est.)
female
120,832,508
Nationality
noun
Nigerian(s)
adjective
Nigerian
Tobacco use
male
4.8% (2025 est.)
total
2.6% (2025 est.)
female
0.3% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
54.3% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
40.4% (male 48,856,606/female 46,770,810)
15-64 years
56.2% (male 66,897,900/female 66,187,584)
65 years and over
3.4% (2024 est.) (male 3,759,943/female 4,274,287)
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 estimate)
Child marriage
men married by age 18
1.6% (2021)
women married by age 15
12.3% (2021)
women married by age 18
30.3% (2021)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
78 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
72.2 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
17 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
5.9 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.38 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
4.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
4.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
4.59 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 63.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 79.6% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 93.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 36.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 20.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 6.3% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
0.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
3% national budget (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
58.9 deaths/1,000 live births
total
65.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
48.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
2.39% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
2.23 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
boasts the largest population of any African country; major population concentrations are dispersed throughout the nation, with the highest density in the southern and southwestern regions, as illustrated in this population distribution map
Life expectancy at birth
male
60.4 years
female
64.2 years
total population
62.2 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
993 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 41.1% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 62.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 81.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 58.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 37.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 18.1% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.73 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
4.49 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.4 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
3.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
15.946 million Lagos, 4.348 million Kano, 3.875 million Ibadan, 3.840 million ABUJA (capital), 3.480 million Port Harcourt, 1.905 million Benin City (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
8.9% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
20.4 years (2018 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
67.6% (2018 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
24.4% (2021 est.)
Environment
Climate
diverse; equatorial in the southern region, tropical in the central area, and arid in the northern part
Land use
other
4.7% (2023 est.)
forest
19.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
76.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 40.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 8.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 27.6% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
54.3% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
362.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
729.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
2,794.3 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
1,991.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
27.615 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
4.7% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
pollution of urban air and water; swift deforestation; deterioration of soil; reduction of cultivable land; contamination of water, air, and soil due to oil spills
Total water withdrawal
municipal
5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
1.965 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
5.51 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
114.397 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
39.01 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
2.962 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
72.425 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
56 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
286.2 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
Tropical Timber 2006
Government
Flag
description: three vertical bands of equal width in green (left), white, and green
meaning: green symbolizes the nation's forests and natural resources, while white represents peace and unity
Capital
name
Abuja
etymology
In 1991, Abuja, a newly developed city, succeeded Lagos as the capital; the name Abuja is derived from a nearby town, now known as Suleja, which was named after Abu JA ("Abu the Red") in 1828
time difference
UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
9 05 N, 7 32 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Nigeria
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
15 years
Constitution
history
multiple prior versions; the most recent was adopted on 5 May 1999, and came into effect on 29 May 1999
amendment process
initiated by the National Assembly; to pass, it requires a two-thirds majority vote from both chambers and the endorsement of the Houses of Assembly from at least two-thirds of the states; amendments related to the establishment of a new state, crucial constitutional rights, or procedures for altering the constitution require a four-fifths majority vote from both chambers of the National Assembly, along with approval from the Houses of Assembly in at least two-thirds of the states; amendments limited to the establishment of a new state necessitate a two-thirds majority vote from the proposing house of the National Assembly and the endorsement of the Houses of Assembly in two-thirds of the states
Country name
etymology
named after the Niger River, which flows through the western part of the country into the Atlantic Ocean; the river's name likely originates from the local Tuareg term, egereou n-igereouen (meaning big rivers)
conventional long form
Federal Republic of Nigeria
conventional short form
Nigeria
Independence
1 October 1960 (from the UK)
Legal system
a mixed legal system incorporating English common law, Islamic law (in twelve northern states), and customary law
Government type
federal presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 15 justices)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeal; Federal High Court; High Court of the Federal Capital Territory; Sharia Court of Appeal for the Federal Capital Territory; Customary Court of Appeal for the Federal Capital Territory; a state court system that mirrors the federal structure
judge selection and term of office
judges are appointed by the president based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council, an independent body consisting of 23 federal and state judicial officials; Senate confirmation is required for judicial appointments; judges serve until the age of 70
Executive branch
cabinet
Federal Executive Council appointed by the president but constitutionally required to include at least one member from each of the 36 states
chief of state
President Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (since 29 May 2023)
election results
2023: Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU elected president; percent of vote - Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (APC) 36.6%, Atiku ABUBAKAR (PDP) 29.1%, Peter OBI (LP) 25.4%, Rabiu KWANKWASO (NNPP) 6.4%, other 2.5%
2019: Muhammadu BUHARI elected president; percent of vote - Muhammadu BUHARI (APC) 53%, Atiku ABUBAKAR (PDP) 39%, other 8%
head of government
President Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (since 29 May 2023)
most recent election date
25 February 2023
election/appointment process
the president is elected directly by a qualified-majority popular vote, requiring at least 25% of the votes cast in 24 out of Nigeria's 36 states; the president holds office for a four-year term and is eligible for re-election for a second term
expected date of next election
27 February 2027
National holiday
Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)
National color(s)
green, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (both cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Sukur Cultural Landscape; Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
Political parties
Accord Party or ACC
Africa Democratic Congress or ADC
All Progressives Congress or APC
All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA
Labor Party or LP
New Nigeria People’s Party or NNPP
Peoples Democratic Party or PDP
Young Progressive Party or YPP
Legislative branch
legislature name
National Assembly
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Nigeria, We Hail Thee"
history
adopted 2024
lyrics/music
Lillie Jean WILLIAMS/Frances BERDA
National symbol(s)
eagle
Administrative divisions
36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives
term in office
4 years
number of seats
360 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
2/25/2023
expected date of next election
February 2027
percentage of women in chamber
4.2%
parties elected and seats per party
All Progressives Congress (APC) (180); People's Democratic Party (PDP) (116); Labour Party (LP) (35); New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) (19); Others (10)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
4 years
number of seats
109 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
2/25/2023
expected date of next election
February 2027
percentage of women in chamber
3.7%
parties elected and seats per party
All Progressives Congress (APC) (59); People's Democratic Party (PDP) (36); Labour Party (LP) (8); Others (6)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 362-6541
chancery
3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 800-7201 (ext. 100)
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Samson Sunday ITEGBOJE (since 22 October 2024)
consulate(s) general
Atlanta, New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[234] (9) 461-4036
embassy
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja
telephone
[234] (9) 461-4000
mailing address
8320 Abuja Place, Washington DC 20521-8320
chief of mission
Ambassador Richard MILLS, Jr. (since 25 July 2024)
consulate(s) general
Lagos
email address and website
[email protected]
https://ng.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, C, CD, D-8, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, MINURSO, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$37.298 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures
$59.868 billion (2019 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$69.091 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$60.261 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$57.536 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$77.049 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$65.423 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$57.73 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; rubber products, timber; hides and skins, textiles, cement and various construction materials, food items, footwear, chemicals, fertilizers, printing, ceramics, steel
Labor force
113.35 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
19.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
4.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
5.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
11.3% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
nairas (NGN) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
358.811 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
401.152 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
425.979 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
645.194 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
1,478.965 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$45.009 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
largest market economy in Africa; vast but predominantly lower middle-income workforce; significant oil exporter; prominent telecommunications and financial sectors; vulnerable to fluctuations in global energy prices; regional frontrunner in essential infrastructure; majorly agrarian employment
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
3.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
3.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
3% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 10%, Spain 9%, France 8%, Netherlands 7%, India 6% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 26%, Singapore 14%, Belgium 8%, India 6%, USA 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$5,600 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$5,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$5,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
3.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
2.9% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.4% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
cassava, yams, maize, oil palm fruit, rice, taro, bananas, vegetables, sorghum, groundnuts (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, gold, fertilizers, cocoa beans (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, tanks and armored vehicles, wheat, plastics, cars (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
$1.019 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$6.423 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$17.215 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$187.76 billion (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
40.1% (2018 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
59.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
0.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
18.8% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
24.7% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
33.2% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
2.4% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$1.239 trillion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$1.275 trillion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$1.318 trillion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
3.7% (2024 est.)
total
5.1% (2024 est.)
female
6.5% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$35.564 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$32.035 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$38.612 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
29.6% (2024 est.)
services
47% (2024 est.)
agriculture
20.4% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.9% (2018 est.)
highest 10%
26.7% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2018
35.1 (2018 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
17 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
600 metric tons (2023 est.)
production
1.322 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
1.326 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
2.144 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
1.514 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
36.89 billion barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
527,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
2.4 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
34.135 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
4.094 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
5.974 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
16.324 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
38.248 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
19.885 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
5.761 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
27%
electrification - urban areas
89%
electrification - total population
60.5% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
7.993 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
77.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
22.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
39% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
approximately 70 national and regional television stations under federal government control; TV stations operate in all 36 states; a number of private television stations exist; subscription services for cable and satellite television are accessible; a network of national, regional, and state radio stations managed by the federal government; around 40 radio stations owned by state governments; close to 20 private radio stations; broadcasts from international media outlets are accessible; the shift to digital broadcasting was finalized in three states in 2018 (2019)
Internet country code
.ng
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
112,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2023 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
165 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
71 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
117,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2023 est.) less than 1
Transportation
Ports
large
2
small
1
medium
1
key ports
Antan Oil Terminal, Bonny, Lagos, Pennington Oil Terminal
very small
24
total ports
28 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
23
Airports
50 (2025)
Railways
total
3,798 km (2014)
narrow gauge
3,505 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
standard gauge
293 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
Heliports
15 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
928 (2023)
by type
general cargo 23, oil tanker 128, other 777
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
5N
Military & Security
Military - note
The Nigerian military is tasked with safeguarding the nation from external threats, preserving territorial integrity, securing borders, engaging in international peacekeeping and security operations, quelling insurrections, and assisting civil authorities in restoring order, in addition to providing humanitarian aid. Its foremost priorities include internal and maritime security. In the northeastern region, military forces are actively conducting operations against the terrorist organizations Boko Haram (BH) and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in West Africa (ISIS-WA), with troop deployments reaching up to 70,000 at times. Since 2009, violence attributed to terrorism has resulted in the deaths of an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 individuals, predominantly civilians. In the northwest, the military contends with threats posed by criminal groups, colloquially known as bandits, along with violence stemming from longstanding farmer-herder disputes, as well as BH and ISIS-WA militants. Furthermore, the military continues to safeguard the oil sector in the Niger Delta against militant threats and criminal activities, and since 2021, it has stationed troops, in conjunction with other security entities, to address renewed unrest in the Biafra region. Maritime security issues encompass piracy and the safeguarding of natural resources in the Gulf of Guinea.
The origins of the Nigerian military can be traced back to the Nigeria Regiment of the West African Frontier Force (WAFF), a multi-regiment unit established by the British colonial government in 1900 for garrisoning Britain’s West African colonies. The WAFF, which later received the honorary title of "Royal," participated in both World Wars. In 1956, the Nigeria Regiment of the Royal WAFF was rebranded as the Nigerian Military Forces (NMF), and in 1958, control of the NMF was transferred from the British War Office to the colonial government of Nigeria. The Nigerian Armed Forces were formally established after Nigeria gained independence in 1960 (2025).
Military deployments
180 Sudan/South Sudan (UNISFA); 200 Gambia (ECOWAS); 150 Guinea-Bissau (ECOWAS) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
0.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
0.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
0.6% of GDP (2024)
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN): Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy (which includes the Coast Guard), Nigerian Air Force.
Ministry of Interior: Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC); Ministry of Police Affairs: Nigeria Police Force (NPF) (2025).
Military service age and obligation
For voluntary military service, individuals aged 18-25 years (both men and women) are eligible; there is no conscription (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's arsenal is predominantly composed of imported weaponry sourced from various nations, including Brazil, China, France, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Korea, Türkiye, and the United States. Additionally, Nigeria is in the process of developing its defense industry capabilities, which encompasses the production of small arms, light armored personnel carriers, and limited naval production (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
Data varies; the estimated number of active Armed Forces personnel is 140,000 (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Boko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – West Africa; Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis-Sudan (Ansaru)
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
USG identification
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
3,709,022 (2024 est.)
refugees
127,131 (2024 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA; established in 1999); Defense Space Administration (DSA; established in 2014) (2025)
Space program overview
operates a national space initiative concentrating on the acquisition of satellites for uses in agriculture and environmental monitoring, meteorology, mining, disaster management, security, and socio-economic advancement; engages in the design, construction (primarily with international aid), and operation of satellites; processes aerial imagery data for analysis and dissemination; is enhancing capabilities in satellite and satellite payload production, particularly in remote sensing technologies; maintains a sounding rocket initiative aimed at researching rockets and propulsion systems, intending to launch domestically manufactured satellites from a Nigerian spaceport by 2030; collaborates with various international space agencies and industries, including those from Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, China, Ghana, India, Japan, Kenya, Mongolia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the US, and Vietnam; possesses a government-operated satellite company and a modest commercial aerospace industry (2025)
Key space-program milestones
2003 - the first remote sensing (RS) microsatellite (NigeriaSat-1) was developed in collaboration with the UK and launched by Russia
2007 - the first communications satellite (NigSatCom-1) was constructed and launched by China (which failed in orbit in 2008)
2011 - the inaugural domestically produced remote sensing (RS) satellite (NigeriaSat-X) was launched by Russia
2019 - a geospatial data analysis center was inaugurated
2022 - the US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration were signed
2023 - the first military reconnaissance RS satellite (DelSat-1) was launched by China
