Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa, situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It borders Niger to the north, Chad to the northeast, Cameroon to the east, and Benin to the west. Covering an area of 923,769 square kilometers (356,669 sq mi), Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and the sixth-most populous globally, with over 236 million people. Abuja is the capital city. Nigeria is known for its diverse geography, ranging from tropical forests in the south to arid climates in the north. It is a multinational state with over 250 ethnic groups speaking 500 distinct languages. The three largest ethnic groups are the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, making up over 60% of the population.
Nigeria is often referred to as the "Giant of Africa" due to its large population and economy. The country has abundant natural resources, including significant deposits of petroleum and natural gas. Key attractions include natural wonders like Zuma Rock, Obudu Cattle Ranch, and various waterfalls such as Agbokim Waterfall and Gurara Waterfall. Other notable sites are the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Yankari National Park. Recent developments include governmental reforms focused on export diversification and the commencement of the sale of selected state-owned assets to private investors as part of broader economic reforms. Nigeria is also taking a leadership role in creating harmonized trade standards across the continent and is part of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to enhance cross-border trade in local currencies.
