Life in Nigeria and some facts

As an Imgurian, I am intrigued and entertained to learn about other cultures on the site to I decided to share what I believe will entertain you just the same, life in Nigeria

Location: Nigeria is located in West Africa often called the heart of Africa

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and the eighth most populous in the world with a population of more than 160 million people. The next closest in Africa is Ethiopia with 84 million. This means that one in seven Africans in Nigerian

Nigeria has up to 250 ethnic groups , but three make up most of it. Igbo(18%), Yoruba(21%), and Hausa-Fulani(29%). Those are also the most common languages(after English). I am Yoruba, but first language English and I barely know how to speak Yoruba.

The most common religions in Nigeria are Christianity and Islam. About half the yorubas are Christian with the other half being Muslim with a few believing in indigenous religions. Most Hausa-Fulani are Muslim, and most Igbo are Christian. I am personally Christian and I live down south in Lagos, the most populous state. The Hausa-Fulanis are up North and that is where the Boko Haram terrorist cell operates. You may remember them for notoriously kid napping the chibok girls who were released earlier this week #bringbackourgirls. The ironic thing is the terrorists mostly kill other muslims in the name of their religion.

Nigeria is home to the Niger River, the longest in West Africa and the third longest in Africa at 2600 miles. Nigeria actually got its name from the river (Niger area). It was named by Lora Flaw, wife of colonial administrator, Lord Lugard. Nigeria became a British colony in 1901 and gained her independence on October 1st 1960, our 4th of July or Cinco de Mayo

Nigeria is one of the oldest locations of human existence. Archaeological discoveries such as the one seen above have given evidence that there were humans in that area as far back as 9000 BC. The Nok, however are the earliest known civilizations in the area somewhere around 500BC-200AD

Nigeria is home to the Nollywood film industry. It is actually the second largest producer of movies (behind Bollywood and ahead of Hollywood), producing 200 movies a week. A lot of them are shit, but sometimes you come across some gems. They are not as light hearted as Bollywood movies. The thing about Bollywood that makes them good is they don't take themselves too seriously, but Nollywood tries too hard and ends up making crap. Hollywood tries and succeeds.

Fun Fact: Nigeria has the largest diversity of butterflies in the world

Nigeria is also home to the largest bridge in Africa, third mainland bridge in Lagos. It is about 11.8km. The bridge was built by Julius Berger LLC(the largest construction company in Nigeria). Julius Berger is a German company and one my mother worked for 25 years, eventually retiring as a financial liaison at 48. Ikr 48 years old and retired. The bridge was opened in 1990 by president Ibrahim Babangida

Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of crude oil in the world(about 2,525,000 barrels a day) the eight largest exporter of oil, and the 10th largest reserve of petroleum. Petroleum make 85% percent of the economy so it would be hard to talk about Nigeria without mentioning it.

This is what a typical middle class family's house would look like. The red awning serves as a garage of sorts. The space to the right of the house is also for parking cars. We use straight up bricks to build everything. Seldom would you see a house with wood. It is always hot, somewhere around 75 degrees Fahrenheit year round. The seasons are rainy season and dry season, and when it rains it is still generally warm.

Thanks for reading. If there's anything else you want to know about Nigeria like how politics and corruption ruined an amazing country that should be better. Or how multiple presidents have fucked over the nation even worse than Trump. Or about the three year civil war. Or other things about living in Nigeria, leave a comment and I'll get around to answering it. Disclaimer: I am born and raised in Nigeria, but I have spent the last couple years in America for school. FP Edut: Thanks guys! Send money so I can reward you heavily! But for real I'll do more posts and more specific stuff