About Nigeria
About Nigeria
Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country located in West Africa. It shares borders with Benin to the west, Niger to the north, Chad and Cameroon to the east, and has a southern coastline along the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous in the world. Its capital is Abuja, while Lagos remains the country’s largest city and commercial hub.
Foreign Relations
Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations with many countries and plays a leading role in African and global affairs. It is a founding member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU). Nigeria also contributes significantly to United Nations peacekeeping missions and advocates for regional integration, conflict resolution, and economic development across Africa.
Economy & Infrastructure
Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa, driven by a mix of oil and gas, agriculture, telecommunications, services, and manufacturing. Despite being a major oil producer, the country has been working to diversify its economy away from crude oil dependency.
Agriculture remains a major employer, engaging around 35% of the workforce. Key crops include cassava, yams, rice, maize, cocoa, and oil palm. While the country faces infrastructure challenges, significant investment is being made in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure development.
External Trade and Investment
Nigeria is an attractive destination for foreign direct investment, especially in sectors like oil and gas, fintech, telecommunications, real estate, and agriculture. The government has introduced reforms to improve the ease of doing business, including streamlining business registration and tax processes.
Nigeria is part of several trade agreements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Major trading partners include China, the United States, India, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Industry
Nigeria’s industrial sector contributes significantly to GDP and is centered on oil refining, food processing, cement, textiles, chemicals, and construction materials. The manufacturing sector is growing, especially with support from initiatives like the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP).
The power sector remains a major bottleneck for industrial growth, though efforts are underway to diversify energy sources—expanding solar, hydro, and gas-powered plants. The government has also privatized parts of the power sector to improve efficiency.
