Ethnic groups in Nigeria

This article is about the demographic features of the population of Nigeria, including population density, ethnicity, vital statistics, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other demographic aspects of the population.

Census figures are used to determine regional funding and representation of ethnic and religious groups in government service, and to look at the makeup of a population. The census provides information on current and future patterns, providing an incentive for inflating local populations.

The most populated country in Africa, Nigeria, accounts for approximately one-sixth of the African population (or one fifth of the Sub-Saharan African population).

Approximately 50% of Nigerians are urban dwellers. At least 24 cities have populations of more than 100,000. Nigeria is home to over 389 ethnic groups, and the variety of customs, languages, and traditions among them gives the country great cultural diversity.

The most numerous ethnic groups in the northern two-thirds of the country are the Hausa and the Fulbe/Fulani, the overwhelming majority of whom are Muslim. Other major ethnic groups of the north are the Nupe, Tiv, and Kanuri. The Yoruba people are the overwhelming majority in the southwest, as well as parts of the north-central region. Good numbers of the Yorubas are Muslims and about 60% are Christians, while the remainder hold traditional Yoruba views.

The predominantly Christian Igbo are found in the central parts of the southeast. Roman Catholicism is the largest Christian denomination in Igboland, but Anglicanism is also strong, as are Pentecostal and other Evangelical denominations.

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