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10 Things You Didn't Know About Nigeria


Nigeria dubbed the "giant of Africa", and formally known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a West African country bordered by Niger and the Republic of Chad to the North, the Republic of Benin to the West, the Republic of Cameroon to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Nigeria's 2014 population estimate stands at 175 million people, with a density of 189 persons/square kilometer. There are over 250 ethnics groups in Nigeria, with Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo being the most popular. English is the official language spoken in the country. The country's capital is Abuja, and the official currency is the Naira. Nigeria's president and vice-president are Muhammadu Buhari and Oluyemi Osinbajo respectively.
1. Nigeria is the second greatest consumer of Guinness products in the world. Nigeria is home to one of Guinness' five breweries in Africa.

2. Nigeria's film industry - Nollywood - is the second largest in terms of output, and the third largest in the world, in terms of revenues generated.

3. Chrislam - a portmanteau of Islam and Christianity - was born in Nigeria and is mostly practiced by the Yoruba of Nigeria.

4. Nigeria is one of the five most homophobic countries in the world. Yemen, Afghanistan, Sudan, Mauritania and Nigeria keep the death penalty on their books as a deterrent to homosexuality, though the death sentence is not applied.


5. Banana Island is the most expensive neighborhood in Nigeria. Banana Island can be likened to La Jolla in San Diego, California, the Seventh Arrondissement in Paris, and Roppongi or Shibuya neighborhoods in Tokyo.

6. The Yoruba tribe of Nigeria has the highest rate of twin births in the world. Some believe this is the result of the regular consumption of yams. Igbo-Oro, a town in Oyo state, has been nicknamed "Twin capital of the World" due to its unusually high twin birth rate, sometimes as high as 158 twin births per 1000 births.

7. The longest bridge in Africa - Third Mainland Bridge - is found in Nigeria. It connects Lagos Island to the mainland, with Carter Bridge and Eko Bridge. Third Mainland Bridge is 11,800 meters long (11.8 kilometers).

8. The world's richest black woman is a Nigerian - Folorunso Alakija. According to a Forbes report, her net worth currently stands at $1.53 (USD).

9. Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man is a Nigerian. He is worth $12.2 billion (USD). According to Forbes, Aliko Dangote has been Africa's richest man for the past seven years. He is the founder of Dangote Group.

10. "Well done o!" is a common form of greeting in Nigeria. Its meaning in this greeting differs from the formal meaning of "well done".



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