Society of Nigeria

KEY FACTS 2015

Population per sq km: 200

Life expectancy: 54 years

Net primary enrolment: 64% (2010)

Population: 182,201,000 (2015); 46 per cent of people live in urban areas and 15 per cent in urban agglomerations of more than a million people; growth 2.6 per cent p.a. 1990–2015; birth rate 39.6 per 1,000 people (47 in 1970); life expectancy 54 years (40 in 1970).

Nigeria is one of the most ethnically diverse countries. There are some 250 ethnic groups, with the Hausa–Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo making up 70 per cent.

Language: English (official language), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and more than 200 other languages and dialects.

Religion: Muslims (mainly in the north and west) 50 per cent, Christians (mainly in the south) 40 per cent, and the rest holding traditional beliefs.

Media: There are more than 100 national and regional newspapers, some state-owned, as well as Sunday papers, business weeklies and news magazines. Established titles with national distribution include Champion (Lagos), Daily Independent (Lagos), The Sun (Lagos), The Daily Times (Lagos), Daily Trust (Abuja), The Guardian (Lagos), Leadership (Abuja), New Nigerian (government-owned with Lagos and Kaduna editions), Newswatch (weekly), The Punch, Tell (weekly), This Day (Lagos) and Vanguard (Lagos).

The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Television Authority provide national and regional public radio and TV services, respectively. The state governments in all 36 states provide radio and TV services. A number of private radio and TV stations are operating, TV mainly in the urban areas.

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Workers’ Day (1 May), National Day (1 October), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Mouloud (Prophet’s Birthday), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan, three days) and Eid al-Kabir (Feast of the Sacrifice).