13 Things You Need to Know About Nigeria

#1: A land of over 200 million smiles
Home to over 200 million inhabitants, Nigeria has one of the largest populations of youth, and is the sixth most populous country in the world.

#2: Unrivalled cultural magnificence
Nigeria is a multinational state, as it is inhabited by over 250 ethnic groupings, of which the three largest are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. These ethnic groups speak over 500 different languages, have diverse cultures, and exhibits unique art. A rich array of cuisines, fashion styles and festivals exist across the different tribes.

#3: Home to Africa's oldest dye pit
Kofar Mata Dye Pit in Kano was established in 1498 and is Africa's oldest. It continues to preserve the traditional tye and dye production process used in northern Nigeria. Methods and skills used are ancient, and handed down from generation to generation.

#4: Africa's first Nobel Laureate
In 1986 Wole Soyinka was the first black African playwright to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

#5. One of the world's largest diversity of butterflies
Nigeria is famous for it's beautiful and diverse butterflies. Nigeria has an exceptional biodiversity and boasts an abundance of fauna and flora. Presently, there are over 1000 documented species of butterflies. New species are still being discovered.

#6: Two spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Nigeria has two outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa and Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in Osun.

#7: Fuelling artistic expressions through art
From the Benin Kingdom to contemporary art, Nigerian artists and artisans are unrivalled. Some known artists who has pioneered Nigerian modern art are Nike Davis-Okundaye, Ben Enwonwu, Bruce Onobrakpeya and Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae.

#8: A unique Nigerian spirit
Nigerians are known to be intelligent hard-working people, and for the “can-do” and “never-say-never” attitude, which is complimented with a friendly and accommodating spirit.

#9: World's second largest film industry and pioneer of Afrobeats
Nigeria's film industry 'Nollywood' is the second largest film producer in the world. The country also continues to maintain pioneering status with its music which have played major roles in shaping Africa's music scene as well as influence contemporary world music. Artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido and Tiwa Savage are taking Afrobeats to new levels.

#10: The economic heartbeat of Africa
Nigeria boasts of the largest economy in Africa. It is projected to rank among the world's top ten economies by 2050.

#11: Largest oil and gas producer in Africa
Nigeria has an abundance of resources including oil and gas. The Country holds the largest natural gas reserves on the continent, and is Africa's largest oil and gas producer.

#12: A flag symbolizing natural wealth and peace
The Nigerian flag is a vertical bicolour triband of green, white and green. The two green stripes represent Nigeria's natural wealth, while the white band represents peace. It was designed in 1959 by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi and was officially adopted on October 1, 1960.

#13: Coat of Arms representing dignity, fertile soil, strength and national flower
Nigeria’s Coat of Arms 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, yellow flowers and a banderole.

The white horses represent dignity, the shield represents Nigeria’s fertile soil, the eagle represents strength, 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. The yellow flower at the base is Nigeria’s national flower, the Costus Spectabilis, and the banderole is Nigeria's national motto since 1978, ‘Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress’ (formerly ‘Peace, Unity, Freedom’).