Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with more than 200 million people. Known as the ‘Giant of Africa,’ it plays an outsized role in the continent’s economy, culture, and politics.
After decades of British colonial rule, Nigeria became independent in 1960. Today it is a federal republic, and its large, young population shapes everything from its markets to its music. About 60 percent of Nigerians are under the age of 25, which makes the country’s workforce one of the youngest in the world.
Nigeria is also one of the most diverse countries on earth. It is home to more than 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages, with Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo among the largest groups. English is the official language, a legacy of the colonial period.
The population is still growing fast. United Nations projections put Nigeria at close to 400 million people by 2050, which would make it the third most populous country in the world after India and China. That growth brings both opportunity and pressure on schools, jobs, and infrastructure.
Nigeria’s economy rests on oil and gas, agriculture, and a fast-growing services sector that includes film and technology. The country plays a leading role in West African regional affairs. To explore study options connected to the country, see Nigerian academic ascent: strategies for higher education success and Nigeria: West African film studies. For wider regional context, Togo: West African economic development and Senegal: francophone African literature are useful starting points.
