Physical Features
Lying 100 north of the Equator and 80 East of
the Greenwich Meridian, Nigeria is located on the west coast of Africa. Nigeria
is variety personalized-her people, cultures, vast land and water mass, human
and natural resources, belief systems and often vividly her political
evolution-reflecting a nation of different shades.
the Greenwich Meridian, Nigeria is located on the west coast of Africa. Nigeria
is variety personalized-her people, cultures, vast land and water mass, human
and natural resources, belief systems and often vividly her political
evolution-reflecting a nation of different shades.
Nigerian clocks are set
at Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus one
hour. Nigeria is bordered at the south by the
Bights, Benin and Bonny and the Atlantic Ocean. Her neighbours in the
North, East and West are Niger, Republic of Cameroon and Republic of Benin,
respectively. They maintain responsible relationships with her.
at Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus one
hour. Nigeria is bordered at the south by the
Bights, Benin and Bonny and the Atlantic Ocean. Her neighbours in the
North, East and West are Niger, Republic of Cameroon and Republic of Benin,
respectively. They maintain responsible relationships with her.
Nigeria has two distinct
seasons – the dry and the rainy season. The dry season runs from November to
March while the rainy season runs from
April to October. Being the Tropics (Tropic of Capricorn) the rains are understandably
heavy. In the North of Nigeria, the dry
season is longer. The landscape runs from equatorial rain belt in the south to
arid desert in the north. Most visitors prefer visiting during the dry season.
seasons – the dry and the rainy season. The dry season runs from November to
March while the rainy season runs from
April to October. Being the Tropics (Tropic of Capricorn) the rains are understandably
heavy. In the North of Nigeria, the dry
season is longer. The landscape runs from equatorial rain belt in the south to
arid desert in the north. Most visitors prefer visiting during the dry season.
Nigeria is richly endowed
in mineral resources which include crude oil, coal, limestone, tin, iron ore,
gold, bitumen, and bauxite. She also has a rich supply of timber, cocoa, palm
produce, corn, rice, beans, cassava, groundnuts, soya bean and edible salt as
well as cash crops. Her population is put at about 150 Million (2010), making
here the most populous black country in the world.
in mineral resources which include crude oil, coal, limestone, tin, iron ore,
gold, bitumen, and bauxite. She also has a rich supply of timber, cocoa, palm
produce, corn, rice, beans, cassava, groundnuts, soya bean and edible salt as
well as cash crops. Her population is put at about 150 Million (2010), making
here the most populous black country in the world.
Nigeria is the world’s
sixth largest producer of crude oil which makes her a prominent member of the
Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and African Petroleum
Producers Association (APPA). There has been a concerted effort to exploit the
country’s natural gas resources, an initiative being driven by the Nigerian
Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (Nigerian LNG Limited).
sixth largest producer of crude oil which makes her a prominent member of the
Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and African Petroleum
Producers Association (APPA). There has been a concerted effort to exploit the
country’s natural gas resources, an initiative being driven by the Nigerian
Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (Nigerian LNG Limited).
Her rich cultural and artistic
values are another significant quality
of the country. Her people are industrious and hospitable, with most of
the population running small scale commercial activities in urban and rural
settings. Nigeria has rich cultural antecedents. These cover sculpting
(including the Nok culture), painting, poetry, drama and music. There is
unassailable evidence that people in the Nok era were very knowledgeable about
iron smelting. There are also the
terra-cotta sculptures and Igbo-Ukwu castings which date back to many
centuries. This is in the form of works such as the Nok Terra-cottas and
Igbo-Ukwu castings of an area suffused in rich culture for many centuries.
values are another significant quality
of the country. Her people are industrious and hospitable, with most of
the population running small scale commercial activities in urban and rural
settings. Nigeria has rich cultural antecedents. These cover sculpting
(including the Nok culture), painting, poetry, drama and music. There is
unassailable evidence that people in the Nok era were very knowledgeable about
iron smelting. There are also the
terra-cotta sculptures and Igbo-Ukwu castings which date back to many
centuries. This is in the form of works such as the Nok Terra-cottas and
Igbo-Ukwu castings of an area suffused in rich culture for many centuries.
Political Structure
Known today as Nigeria,
(culled from Niger area) this did not come about until 1914 when the
protectorates of northern and southern Nigeria were amalgamated. Today, Nigeria operates a federal system of
government with 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory as Abuja. Nigeria
obtained her independence from Great Britain on October 1, 1960. In October
1963, she became a Republic. At that time, there were three regions i.e. the
Northern, Western and Eastern Regions. In 1964, a fourth, Mid-Western Region
was added. A twelve-states political structure came into being in 1967, at the
Civil War (1967-1970), and was increased to nineteen states in 1976, the same
year the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja was created. Then in 1987, this was
further increased to twenty-one states and in 1991, thirty-six. The present 36
states structure came into being in 1995.
The thirty-six states of the federation fall under six political zones
viz. North East, North West, North Central, South East, South West and South
South zone. There are 774 (2010) local government areas in the country.
(culled from Niger area) this did not come about until 1914 when the
protectorates of northern and southern Nigeria were amalgamated. Today, Nigeria operates a federal system of
government with 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory as Abuja. Nigeria
obtained her independence from Great Britain on October 1, 1960. In October
1963, she became a Republic. At that time, there were three regions i.e. the
Northern, Western and Eastern Regions. In 1964, a fourth, Mid-Western Region
was added. A twelve-states political structure came into being in 1967, at the
Civil War (1967-1970), and was increased to nineteen states in 1976, the same
year the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja was created. Then in 1987, this was
further increased to twenty-one states and in 1991, thirty-six. The present 36
states structure came into being in 1995.
The thirty-six states of the federation fall under six political zones
viz. North East, North West, North Central, South East, South West and South
South zone. There are 774 (2010) local government areas in the country.
One of the prominent
features of Nigeria’s political experience has been the dominance of the
military in the management of the country. However, since May 29, 1999, the
country has been operating a Democratic System of Government.
features of Nigeria’s political experience has been the dominance of the
military in the management of the country. However, since May 29, 1999, the
country has been operating a Democratic System of Government.
Visitors’ Information
Nigeria has a network of
air, waterway, land and rail routes all attracting increasing levels of traffic
in persons and cargo. Prospecting visitors will benefit from contacting any of
the numerous travel agencies for practical advice on the best means of accessing
different sections of the country. There are also a number of good hotels that
can render this service and also provide reliable hospitality services. The
country’s currency is the Naira and Kobo (N:K), with one hundred kobo equaling
One Naira. The Central Bank of Nigeria is responsible for issuing currency
notes and coins; and there are 25 banks
which offer a wide spectrum of services
including international money transfer.
air, waterway, land and rail routes all attracting increasing levels of traffic
in persons and cargo. Prospecting visitors will benefit from contacting any of
the numerous travel agencies for practical advice on the best means of accessing
different sections of the country. There are also a number of good hotels that
can render this service and also provide reliable hospitality services. The
country’s currency is the Naira and Kobo (N:K), with one hundred kobo equaling
One Naira. The Central Bank of Nigeria is responsible for issuing currency
notes and coins; and there are 25 banks
which offer a wide spectrum of services
including international money transfer.
Nigeria’s numerous ethnic
groups speak several distinct and related languages, its lingua franca is
English. It may also be useful to contact the Nigerian Tourism Development
Corporation or the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies.
groups speak several distinct and related languages, its lingua franca is
English. It may also be useful to contact the Nigerian Tourism Development
Corporation or the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies.
Today, aside from the
Federal and State owned radio and television stations and newspapers, there are
a good number of privately owned, ultra-modern radio and television stations,
some of which have satellite services, linking Nigeria to the international
media. There is also a rich pick of privately owned newspapers, magazines and
professional journals published on a daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly basis.
Most of these publications utilize the latest technology in their operations.
There are also a number of companies, Nigerian Telecommunication included,
offering telecommunication services for local and international purposes. The
scope of operations of the organization in this sector is expected to increase
with time.
Federal and State owned radio and television stations and newspapers, there are
a good number of privately owned, ultra-modern radio and television stations,
some of which have satellite services, linking Nigeria to the international
media. There is also a rich pick of privately owned newspapers, magazines and
professional journals published on a daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly basis.
Most of these publications utilize the latest technology in their operations.
There are also a number of companies, Nigerian Telecommunication included,
offering telecommunication services for local and international purposes. The
scope of operations of the organization in this sector is expected to increase
with time.
Visitors are expected to
arrive in the country only after obtaining a valid visa for the duration and
purpose of their visit (only citizens of the Economic Community of West African
States are exempted).
arrive in the country only after obtaining a valid visa for the duration and
purpose of their visit (only citizens of the Economic Community of West African
States are exempted).
Visas are usually issued
within 72 hours of the request. They are expected to have received vaccinations
against smallpox, malaria and yellow fever. They are allowed not more than four
litres of liquor at the point of entry while items such as wristwatches,
cosmetics, cameras and other personal effects are allowed duty-free subject to
quantities. Other goods attract ‘on-the-spot’ duties. Internationally known
illegal substances are not allowed in the country.
within 72 hours of the request. They are expected to have received vaccinations
against smallpox, malaria and yellow fever. They are allowed not more than four
litres of liquor at the point of entry while items such as wristwatches,
cosmetics, cameras and other personal effects are allowed duty-free subject to
quantities. Other goods attract ‘on-the-spot’ duties. Internationally known
illegal substances are not allowed in the country.
The National Anthem
Arise, O compatriots,
Nigeria’s call obey
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love strength and
faith,
faith,
The labour of our heroes
past
past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and
might
might
One nation bound in
freedom, peace and unity.
freedom, peace and unity.
O God of creation, direct
our noble cause
our noble cause
Guide our leaders right,
Help our youth the truth
to know
to know
In love and honesty to
grow
grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where
peace and justice shall reign.
peace and justice shall reign.
The National Pledge
I pledge to Nigeria my
country
country
To be faithful, loyal and
honest
honest
To serve Nigeria with all
my strength
my strength
To defend her unity
And uphold her honour and
glory
glory
So help me God.