Ethnic groups of Nigeria

Federal Republic of Nigeria Jamhuriyar Taraiyar Nijeriya  (Hausa) Ọ̀hàńjíkọ̀ Ọ̀hànézè Naìjíríyà  (Igbo) Orílẹ̀-èdè Olómìniira Aláàpapọ̀ Nàìjíríà  (Yoruba)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress"
Anthem: Arise, O Compatriots
Location of Nigeria shown in dark green
Capital	Abuja 9°4′N 7°29′E / 9.067°N 7.483°E / 9.067; 7.483
Largest city	Lagos 6°27′N 3°23′E / 6.450°N 3.383°E / 6.450; 3.383
Official languages	English
Major languages	Hausa Igbo Yoruba
Other languages	Birom Edo Efik Fulfulde Gbagyi Hyam Ibibio Idoma Igala Igbira Ijaw Ikwerre Itsekiri Jju Jukun Kanuri Atyap Margi Nupe Tiv Urhobo-Isoko
Religion	See Religion in Nigeria
Demonym	Nigerian
Government	Federal presidential republic
• President	Muhammadu Buhari
• Vice President	Yemi Osinbajo
• Senate President	Bukola Saraki
• House Speaker	Yakubu Dogara
• Chief Justice	W.S. Nkanu Onnoghen
Legislature	National Assembly
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	House of Representatives
Independence from the United Kingdom
• Unification of Southern and Northern Nigeria	1914
• Declared and recognised	1 October 1960
• Republic declared	1 October 1963
• Current constitution	29 May 1999
Area
• Total	923,768 km2 (356,669 sq mi) (32nd)
• Water (%)	1.4
Population
• 2016 estimate	185,989,640 (7th)
• 2006 census	140,431,790
• Density	197.2/km2 (510.7/sq mi) (71st)
GDP (PPP)	2016 estimate
• Total	$1.166 trillion (20th)
• Per capita	$6,351 (124th)
GDP (nominal)	2016 estimate
• Total	$484.895 billion (21st)
• Per capita	$2,640 (122nd)
Gini (2010)	43.0 medium
HDI (2015)	0.514 low · 152nd
Currency	Naira (₦) (NGN)
Time zone	WAT (UTC+1)
Drives on the	right
Calling code	+234
ISO 3166 code	NG
Internet TLD	.ng

National symbols of Nigeria
Flag	Bicolour
Emblem	Coat of arms of Nigeria
Anthem	"Arise, O Compatriots"
Animal	Eagle
Bird	Black crowned crane
Flower	Costus spectabilis
Sport	Football

The Federal Republic of Nigeria /naɪˈdʒɪəriə/, commonly referred to as Nigeria, is a federal republic in West Africa, bordering Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. It comprises 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, where the capital, Abuja is located. Nigeria is officially a democratic secular country.

Modern-day Nigeria has been the site of numerous kingdoms and tribal states over the millennia. The modern state originated from British colonial rule beginning in the 19th century and the merging of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate and Northern Nigeria Protectorate in 1914. The British set up administrative and legal structures whilst practising indirect rule through traditional chiefdoms. Nigeria became a formally independent federation in 1960. It experienced a civil war from 1967 to 1970. It then alternated between democratically elected civilian governments and military dictatorships until it achieved a stable democracy in 1999, with the 2011 presidential elections considered the first to be reasonably free and fair.