Country Profile: Nigeria

Nigeria, located in Western Africa, is bordered by the Gulf of Guinea, Benin, and Cameroon. It is the most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of over 244 million people as of 2025. The nation's economy is one of the largest on the continent, primarily driven by its significant oil exports, although it is characterized by a large lower middle-income labor force. Nigeria operates as a federal presidential republic, facing challenges of governance and security, including terrorism and regional conflicts.

Geography

Nigeria spans an area of approximately 923,768 square kilometers, making it the largest country in West Africa. The nation's diverse climate ranges from equatorial in the south to arid in the north, with varying terrain that includes lowlands, plateaus, and mountains. The landscape is rich in natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, and arable land.

Population distribution: Nigeria is home to the largest population of any African nation.
Natural hazards: The country faces periodic droughts and flooding.
Major rivers: The Niger River, which flows for 4,200 km, is a prominent feature of Nigeria's geography.

People and Society

Nigeria's population is projected to reach 244 million by 2025, featuring over 250 ethnic groups with the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo being the largest. The official language is English, while numerous indigenous languages are spoken across the country. The society is characterized by a mix of religions, with Muslims making up about 53.5% and Christians about 46.9%.

Urbanization: As of 2023, 54.3% of the population lives in urban areas.
Age structure: 40.4% of the population is aged 0-14 years.
Literacy rate: Approximately 63.2% of the population is literate as of 2021.

Economy

Nigeria boasts the largest economy in Africa, with a GDP (PPP) estimated at $1.318 trillion in 2024. The economy heavily relies on the oil sector, though agriculture remains a significant source of employment. The country grapples with high inflation and ongoing challenges in governance and financial management.

GDP growth rate (2024): Estimated at 3.4%.
Unemployment rate (2024): Approximately 3%.
Major exports: Oil and natural gas constitute a substantial portion of the country's exports.

Government

Nigeria operates as a federal presidential republic, with the capital located in Abuja. The government consists of a bicameral legislature, with elections held every four years. The country has navigated a challenging political landscape, transitioning from military rule to civilian governance since 1999.

Current president: Bola Ahmed Tinubu, elected on February 25, 2023.
Administrative divisions: The country is divided into 36 states and 1 Federal Capital Territory.
Suffrage: Universal suffrage at 18 years of age.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Nigeria include the army, navy, and air force, aimed at maintaining national security amid various threats including terrorism and regional unrest. The government has undertaken measures to bolster its security response through military deployments and initiatives.

Active personnel: Estimated 140,000 members as of 2025.
Military expenditure: Approximately 0.6% of GDP (2024).
Terrorist groups: Notable groups include Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.

Energy

Energy production in Nigeria is primarily driven by fossil fuels, contributing to the country's energy access challenges. As of 2022, only 60.5% of the total population had electricity access, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas.

Electricity consumption: Estimated at 34.135 billion kWh (2023).
Installed generating capacity: Approximately 4.094 million kW (2023).
Petroleum production: About 1.514 million barrels per day (2023).

Environment

Nigeria faces several environmental challenges, including pollution and deforestation. The country has made commitments to various international environmental agreements, though domestic issues persist.

Forest area: Approximately 19.1% of land as of 2023.
Carbon dioxide emissions: Estimated at 114.397 million metric tonnes (2023).
Water resources: Total renewable water resources are around 286.2 billion cubic meters (2022).

Transportation

Nigeria's transportation infrastructure includes a network of railways, highways, and ports. However, many facilities, especially railways, are in need of significant upgrades and maintenance.

Airports: Nigeria has a total of 50 airports (2025).
Railways: Total railway length is approximately 3,798 km (2014).
Ports: The country has 28 ports, with key facilities for oil terminals.

Communications

Communications infrastructure in Nigeria has grown, with a significant number of mobile subscriptions and internet usage. However, access remains uneven across urban and rural areas.

Mobile subscriptions: Approximately 165 million (2024).
Internet users: About 39% of the population (2023).
Television stations: Nearly 70 federally controlled national and regional TV stations.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	244,344,065 (2025 est.)
Area	923,768 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.318 trillion (2024)
Electricity access	60.5% (2022)
Birth rate	33.56 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	3% (2024)
Life expectancy	62.2 years (2024 est.)