NIGERIA

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NIGERIA

Nigeria is a nation in West Africa with a total area

of 923,769 sq. miles. km. Nigeria is bordered by
Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. It has a
boundary with the Atlantic Ocean's Gulf of Guinea
to the south. Nigeria features a variety of natural
landscapes, from tropical rainforest in the south to
semi-deserts in the north. The most populous and
economically advanced nation in Africa is Nigeria. Due to its recent expansion, which is reliant
on the sale of oil, the nation has changed from a LIC to a NEE.

Nigeria has had corrupt leaders and sporadic military dictatorship since gaining independence
from Britain in 1960. The nation approved a new constitution in 1999, and the following year
saw the first democratic elections in 20 years. Politically and economically, Nigeria is the most
significant nation in West Africa. It is the richest and most powerful country in all of West Africa.

The naira is the currency of Nigeria, and it is denoted by the letters NGN. Nigeria divides the
naira into 100 kobos (k), which are smaller currency denominations, much as the U.S. dollar and
cents. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is based in Abuja and issues coins and banknotes.
Nigeria uses the 50 kobo, 1 naira, and 2 naira coinage. It prints notes with denominations of 5,
10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 naira. The brilliant hues of Nigerian currency, which is available in
yellow, orange, green, and blue, are well-known.

LANDMARKS
Some of Africa's most recognizable landmarks may be found in Nigeria, a nation famed for its
enthralling history, diverse topography, and plethora of cultural riches. Nigeria's notable
landmarks give tourists an insight into the rich past and dynamic present of the nation, from
bustling urban hubs to serene natural wonders.

National Mosque – Abuja

The Nigerian National Mosque, commonly referred to as the National Mosque of Abuja, was
constructed in 1984. One of the biggest mosques in all of Africa, it has almost five floors.
Located in Abuja's Central Business District (CBD) on Independence Avenue, Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport is about 8 miles away.

National Christian Centre – Abuja

With a capacity of nearly 10,000, the National Christian Centre in Abuja is the largest church
auditorium in Africa. Visitors can attend Sunday services at the Cathedral Church of the Advent
and explore its expansive grounds filled with vibrant greenery. Right outside of this stunning
cathedral is a 20-meter tall bronze statue known as "The Unity Monument" that symbolizes
peace among Nigeria's many diverse cultures and religions. Tourists can also wander through
Eagle Square, which hosts significant state events all year long.

Aso Rock – Abuja

Aso Rock, which rises to almost 400 meters above sea level, is the largest monolith in West
Africa. This spectacular granite outcrop, which can be found in Maitama District in Central
Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT), towers over the bustling metropolis below.
National Stadium – Lagos
The U17 World Cup and Women's Championship are being held at the National Stadium in
Lagos, which is a first for a stadium to hold two FIFA-approved competitions. It is situated on
Surulere Road in Lagos State and can accommodate an astounding 78000 people. The largest
sports venue in Nigeria hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts,
exhibitions, and traditional festivals, in addition to hosting important athletic occasions.

The Cathedral Church of Christ – Lagos

The beautiful Cathedral Church of Christ, which is situated in Lagos, Nigeria, is a representation
of the city's long history and was first constructed in 1867 by the Anglican Church. Since then, it
has had a number of modifications. The church's great pipe organ, one of the biggest and most
spectacular in West Africa, was installed in 1946, and its potent sound gives the church's
liturgies a distinctive and ethereal quality.
HISTORY

Despite the fact that Nigeria is a relatively young nation, the

region has a long history. A more than 2,000-year-old
civilisation previously inhabited the village of Nok in central
Nigeria. Many of their clay carvings have been discovered by
archaeologists. Prior to the Nok culture, prehistoric humans
in Nigeria started creating stone tools and eventually
mastered farming and animal husbandry. Many Africans were
victims of the European slave trade in the 1600s. The
freedom of millions of people was lost. The British established the colony of Nigeria in the
1800s after overthrowing many of Nigeria's tribal kingdoms. They held power in the nation until
1960.
Because of the size of its territory, the variety of its people and languages, the size of its
population (the largest in Africa), and the abundance of its natural resources, including oil,
Nigeria is frequently referred to as the "Giant of Africa. "Nigeria has a patchwork of different
geographical areas, including plains, mountains, swamps, deserts, and humid jungles. The Niger
Delta, the third-biggest delta on Earth, is a part of one of the largest river systems in the entire
planet. Savannas and plains cover a large portion of Nigeria. As far as the eye can see, these
tropical meadows remain uninterrupted by anything but trees and bushes. The Yoruba people
have been residing in the southwest plains for many centuries.

CULTURE

 Nigerian traditions are numerous and diverse across cultures. For instance, unless they
are marrying foreigners, Nigerians typically have three weddings. The first wedding is
customary, the second takes place in court, and the third takes place in a church or
mosque. These marriages are justified on the grounds that tradition, law, and religion all
need to approve of the relationship. Other customs include younger men serving as
apprentices to older, wealthier men, and the mother-in-law aiding the daughter-in-law
when she gives birth.

 Nigeria is home to numerous religions. Religious freedom is guaranteed under the

constitution. Muslims predominate in the north of the nation, while Christians
predominate in the south. Native American religions, in which followers worship spirits,
gods, and ancestors, are practiced widely across the nation. Many Christians and
Muslims may also blend their beliefs with less mainstream indigenous ones.
 Christmas and Easter, the two major Christian festivals, are observed as national
holidays. Muslims observe the two Eids as well as Ramadan, the Islamic month of
fasting. Working hours in the north frequently differ from those in the south, preventing
Muslims from reporting to work on Friday, their holy day.

 Communication techniques vary across the nation because of its ethnic diversity.
Proverbs, sayings, and even songs are used in communication among Yoruba people in
the southwest to amplify the meaning of what is said. Although many of the same traits
have been carried over into their usage of the English language, this is particularly
evident when speaking in their home tongue. The Yoruba frequently utilize humor to
 lighten the mood during protracted meetings or weighty debates. They think that using
humor to convey their message ensures that it won't be quickly forgotten.

 The social system is still largely supported by extended families, which are still the norm.
Along the way in life, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, and in-laws
all function as a single unit.Seniority and hierarchy serve as a guide for family
connections. Extensive families are a vehicle for achieving social stature and recognition.
The deeds of a family's members also have an impact on its honor. The extended family
is relied upon by individuals for support and financial assistance, and it is expected of
them to ensure the welfare of all members. Although the importance of the extended
family is waning a little in cities, there is still a strong heritage of responsibility and caring
among the members.

3 MAJOR PORTS
Due to rising oil and gas production, Nigeria has had favorable economic growth over the years.
A third of the population lives in rural areas and works in agriculture, producing major export
crops like beans, cassava, nuts, cocoa, maize, rice, sorghum, and rubber. It is the eighth largest
exporter of petroleum in the world and is also rich in minerals like natural gas, coal, limestone,
gold, tin, and bauxite.
Nigeria has a highly developed financial sector and a manufacturing sector based on the mass
production of automobiles, plastics, tinned products, leather goods, and textiles. Nigeria's 853-
kilometer-long coastline, which faces the Atlantic Ocean, is home to six important seaports that
conduct marine trade with Brazil, China, India, Japan, the United States, and countries in the
European Union.

1. Port of Lagos/ Apapa

The Lagos Port is located in Apapa, the main commercial district of Lagos State, which is close to
the Bight of Benin. It is also known as the Premiere port or Apapa port, and it is the largest and
oldest port in the nation in terms of both the amount of goods handled and the amount of
territory it covers. The Apapa Quays serve as a transhipment hub for inland nations like Chad
and Niger and are where more than half of all marine trade between Nigeria and the rest of the
world takes place. The Lagos port complex sees over 1000 vessels and 5,700,000 tonnes of
cargo each year.
The port is larger than most ports in Nigeria, covering more than 80 hectares, and it has a four-
wheeled gate with an eight-meter opening for receiving huge goods. It has two logistics
facilities, Eko Support Services Ltd. and Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics, both of which have
terminal buildings and bonded warehouses for customs. The eight jetties are used to handle
crude oil and petroleum products. The port features four fishing wharves to handle fishing
boats because fishing is significant to the inhabitants. At the 150 m long Ijora wharf, coal is
received. In addition, Lagos port has four tank farms where refined petroleum products are
kept.

The port's 55-hectare container terminal has a total quay length of 1005 meters. With 298
reefer connections, it has an annual container capacity of more than 1,000,000 TEUs. The
equipment used for loading and unloading activities includes 14 rubber-tired cranes and 13
mobile harbor cranes. Three warehouses totaling 3025 m2 of storage space are available,
together with an unpaved open yard for storing products temporarily.

2. Port of Tin Can Island

West of Apapa and close to the Lagos Port Complex is where you'll find the Tin Can Island port.
It was built in 1975, when economic activity, particularly foreign trade, expanded significantly as
a result of Nigeria's oil boom following the end of the civil war and the start of rehabilitation. It
is now the second busiest port in Nigeria. After the three main quays were built, port
operations started in 1976. It took up around 70 hectares and could handle 9 vessels at once in
1977. Currently, Tin Can island port, which covers an area of 79 hectares, provides ship
maintenance and bunkering services for vessels up to 35,000 DWT. Underground wells drilled to
a water depth of 250 meters provide freshwater at every berth.

With 12 berths spanning 1358 meters and an alongside depth ranging from 7 to 11 meters, Tin
Can Island port can accommodate ships up to 260 meters in length while handling a variety of
cargo categories, including liquid bulk, dry cargo, containerized goods, RORO, and breakbulk.
Two berths totaling 700 meters and 4.5 meters of sea depth are available at the Kiri Kiri lighter
port. The primary storage terminal, which contains one of the largest grain silos with a capacity
of 28,000 tonnes, has plenty of storage space available. The grain terminal transfers 4000
tonnes of grains each day and deals with wheat, maize, malt, and barley. It has a grain-bagging
facility and can handle ships that weigh up to 30,000 tonnes.

3. Calabar port
The new Calabar port, located 45 nautical miles upstream of the Fairway buoy, opened for
business in 1979. The Nigeria Ports Authority oversees the operation of this multipurpose
port, which has three terminals run by ECM Terminal Ltd, INTELS Nigeria Ltd, and Shoreline
Logistics Nigeria Limited. A 7.5 m draught needs to be regularly maintained through
dredging. The port handles about 9,600,000 tonnes of crude oil, 10,000 TEUs, and 240,000
tonnes of general cargo every year.
 features more than 20 reefer stations and a stacking area of 90,000 meters. Containers are
held in a 36,000 m2 stacking space while bags of cargo are kept in a 28,000 m2 storage
yard. The La Farge cement plant and a milling facility are located in the port.

References:
Nigeria. (2021, December 9). Geography.

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/countries/article/nigeria

ADC Editor. (2021, September 17). All about Nigeria - Africa.com. Africa.com.

https://www.africa.com/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-nigeria/

Bhattacharjee, S. (2022). 6 major ports in Nigeria. Marine Insight.

https://www.marineinsight.com/know-more/ports-in-nigeria/