Nicknamed “The Giant of Africa”, Nigeria is an African country rich in culture, diversity and tradition. According to Wikipedia, it is the most populous country in Africa and the sixth most populous in the world. It is densely populated with approximately 218.5 million people in an area of 923,768 km2 (351,650 sq, miles). For context, a 2021 Toyota Corolla is roughly 4.6 meters in length, that would mean that Nigeria can contain 5 billion of such cars parked within it bumper to bumper. Wow! From the culturally patterned wears to the aromatic delicacies, the nation is home to a myriad of beautiful tangibles that they can be proud of. Why don’t you sit back and let us walk you through some fun facts about Nigeria and her people.
- The significance of the flag and crest
The Nigerian flag designed in 1959 by Mr. Taiwo Akinkumi features a white stripe sandwiched by two green ones. Mr. Akinkunmi was only a student who submitted his work for the best Nigerian flag design and won. The green stripes signify natural wealth as the country is rich in not just food but a healthy amount of minerals such as coal, crude oil and countless mineral ores. The white signifies peace and unity.
Nigeria’s Coat of Arms also features two white horses supporting a black shield, with a White “Y” shape running across the middle of the shield. Above the shield is a red eagle sitting on a green and white band placed on the shield. Beneath them are green grass. The white horses signify the dignity of the people, the shield represents Nigeria’s fertile soil, the eagle shows the strength of the nation, while the green and white bands represent Nigeria’s rich soil. The White ‘Y’ shape on the black shield represents the Niger and the Benue rivers.
2. Nigerians love their languages
Despite English being the lingua franca of the nation, citizens all over the country speak well over 500 languages. There are 250 ethnic groups with each having their diverse tongues and dialects. The major ones include Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo but make no mistake, there are a lot more. This singular fact places Nigeria as one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world.
3. Festival Galore
Due to the vibrant culture of the Nigerian people, there are a host of festivals that commemorate and celebrate certain historical events in different lands of the country. These festivals are usually adorned with dancing, local food, and masquerades — able men who dress as spirits believed to be notable among the said people. Among the wears are beads, bells and face painted masks.
Festivals celebrated in Nigeria are the New Yam festival which celebrates the success of the yam harvest which is a staple food in the country. There is the Argungu fishing festival which is particular to the indigenous people of Kebbi state to mark the end of farming season and start of the fishing season. Worthy of note is the Calabar carnival that is held every December to celebrate the Christmas season. This is done in Calabar, the capital of Cross River, a state in Nigeria. The carnival is regarded as Africa’s biggest street party. The Osun Osogbo festival which takes place every year in Osogbo, Nigeria, celebrates the goddess of fertility, Osun. The Osun Osogbo festival features a lot of foreign tourists who come to revel in the beautiful sights of the celebrations every year. You too can be a part of it and getting naira isn’t even a problem because at Kaoshi Network, we are here to help you swap your currency for naira. You can also send money down from the diaspora back to Nigeria. Remember, these festivities are for all. There are a lot more festivals held year in, year out too.
4. The Global Stage
The country has produced and continually produces world icons who put the country’s name on the map of the world. Chief amongst them is Nobel Prize winner, Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka, a playwright who became the first African to clinch the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian economist who is currently serving as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization. She has held this office since March 2021 and is the first woman and African to lead the World Trade Organization as Director-General. A Nigerian also just previously held the world record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. Nigeria’s Hilda Baci achieved the feat on the 15th of May 2023 after cooking for 93 hours and 11 minutes.
These among many others have achieved greatness that will always be attributed to not just them but the country.
5. Arts and Craft & The Movie Industry Phenomenon
According to Britannica, the Nigerian movie industry popularly known as Nollywood is the second largest in the world by volume. They sit only behind Bollywood in this regard. Nollywood is the entertainment hub of the nation, telling its stories from rural lifestyle to urban environs. A lot of Nollywood movies are viewed globally on Netflix and other streaming platforms. “The Black Book”, a revenge thriller movie produced by Editi Effiong garnered a total of 5.6 million views and accumulated a whooping 11.6 million viewing watch hours between September 18th and 24th per Netflix’s data recorded. The movie made for $1 million and hit №3 on Netflix’s global chart in 2023 with more than 20 million views worldwide. This sets a precedent for all other African countries and puts the nation well above its African counterparts.
Nigeria is also home to beautiful and ancient pieces of arts and craft. The Nok culture of Nigeria, dating back to 1000 BC, is known for its advanced terracotta sculptures. These artifacts highlight the artistry and cultural heritage of early Nigerian civilizations. There are Yoruba beadwork, Igbo masks and Benin bronze sculptures.
6. The Home of Afro beats.
Afro beats being one of the most listened to and produced music genres in the world has its roots in Nigerian culture. Afrobeats is a mixture of Nigerian music, jazz, highlife and funk. This genre was pioneered by Nigerian music icon Fela Kuti but has been brought more into the limelight by contemporary Nigerian artists like Wizkid and Burna Boy.
This genre is beginning to find its way into mainstream media and has been picked up by a lot of top foreign artists who find the sound intriguing and lively.
7. Beautiful Wonders of Nature
The nation is blessed with numerous beautiful wonders that have become tourist attractions. Among them are Zuma Rock, referred to as “The Gateway to Abuja” due to its imposing presence. There is the Olumo Rock which is a historical monument that served as shelter for the locals during intercity wars and still stands tall in Abeokuta, Ogun today. Another one is the Yankari Game reserve located in Bauchi State. It is home to a diverse collection of wildlife such as lions, antelopes etc. The most notable has to be the Obudu Cattle Ranch situated in Cross River. It doubles as a mountain resort where one can go to explore, hike, see sights, and take wonderful nature pictures.
This should be a reason you visit Nigeria. The sights are just too good to ignore. If you are worried about how to get naira — the official Nigerian currency, then we at Kaoshi Network are here to help you. At Kaoshi Network, we help customers send money from Africa to 40 countries in the diaspora and vice versa. At Kaoshi Network, you can also swap your foreign currency for naira. There’s no excuse to not visit these amazing places now.
It is not a secret that Nigeria is a country with a lot of life, culture, and history. These fun facts just serve as a glimpse into the diverse culture of the people that runs deep and far. Whether you’re interested in its wonderful film industry, its natural beauty, or its vibrant cultural traditions, Nigeria has something unique and exciting to offer everyone. What are you waiting for? Get on Kaoshi Network today and get your naira to visit these irresistible sites.
