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65th Independence: 65 quick facts about Nigeria

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Nigeria celebrates its Independence every 1st October, marking the nation’s declaration of freedom from British dominance as a colonial master.

As Nigeria celebrates its 65th anniversary of independence today, Tribune Online looks at some 65 quick facts you should know about the country.

1 Nigeria is located in West Africa.
2 Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa.
3 Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960.
4 In the Atlantic Ocean, Nigeria is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.
5 The country covers an area of 923,769 square kilometres (356,669 sq mi).
6 The country borders Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west.
7 Nigeria is a federal republic comprising 36 states.
8 Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria.
9 The official language of Nigeria is English, while the national languages are Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa.
10 Nigeria has over 500 different regional languages.
11 Nigeria is known for its diverse ethnic groups, with over 250 different ethnicities.
12 Nigeria became a republic on October 1, 1963.
14 Nigeria’s three largest ethnic groups are the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo.
15 The Nigerian currency is called the Naira.
16 There are 774 local governments in Nigeria.
17 The Federal government of Nigeria comprises three distinct branches, namely the legislative, executive, and judicial.
18 Nigeria has a rich cultural heritage, including traditional dances, music, and artwork.
19 Nigeria is home to various national parks and wildlife reserves, which include Yankari National Park and Cross River National Park.
20 Nigeria’s film industry is referred to as Nollywood.
21 Nigeria has the largest population of people of African descent in the world.
22 Nigeria has a tropical climate, with distinct dry and wet seasons.
23 The country has seen periods of military rule as well as periods of democratic governance.
24 The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is known for its oil reserves.
25 The country has a diverse range of natural resources, including crude oil, tin, limestone, and coal.
26 Nigeria is known for its vibrant fashion industry, with traditional textiles like Ankara fabric being widely used.
27 Nigeria has a rich sporting history, with successes in football, athletics, boxing, and basketball among others.
28 Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a renowned figure in contemporary literature.
29 Nigeria is often referred to as the Giant of Africa due to its large population and economy.
30 Nigeria is a multi-religious country, with Islam and Christianity being the major religions.
31 The amalgamation of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate and Northern Nigeria Protectorate was done in 1914 by Lord Lugard.
32 Nigeria has a federal system of government, with power shared between the federal and state governments, and local governments.
33 Lake Chad, located in northeastern Nigeria, is a crucial water source for the country.
34 Nigeria is home to Wole Soyinka, the first African Nobel laureate in literature.
35 The country is rich in cultural festivals, including the Argungu Fishing Festival, Egungun Festival, and the Durbar Festival.
36 The Yoruba people of Nigeria have a strong tradition of wooden sculpture and art.
37 In 2015, Nigeria became the first African country to rid itself of the Ebola virus.
38 Nigeria has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Sukur Cultural Landscape, Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, and Aso Rock.
39 Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe’s novel, ’Things Fall Apart’ is one of the most widely read and studied African novels.
40 Nigerian footballer, Jay-Jay Okocha is considered one of the greatest African football players of all time.
41 Lagos was the former capital city of Nigeria before the federal capital was formally moved to Abuja on December 12, 1991 under the administration of General Ibrahim Babaginda.
42 Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa.
43 The Nigeria flag has two green stripes and a white stripe.
44 The Nigeria national motto is ‘Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.’
45 Nigeria’s current national anthem is ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee.’
46 The Nigeria coat of arms features an eagle, representing strength, and a shield, representing agriculture and the natural resources of the country.
47 Nigeria is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Nigeria has produced many notable writers, including Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Wole Soyinka.
48 A Nigerian, Aliko Dangote, is the richest man in Africa.
49 The first newspaper in Nigeria, ‘Iwe Irohin fun awon ara Egba ati eya Yoruba,’ was established in Abeokuta, Ogun state, in 1859.
50 Nigerian late legendary musician and activist Fela Kuti is well known for his Afrobeat music and his criticism of government corruption and human rights abuses.
51 Nigeria has a growing music industry, producing internationally recognized artistes like Davido, Wizkid and Burna Boy among others.
52 Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of Cassava.
53 Nigeria has a large diaspora population, with Nigerians living in virtually all countries around the world.
54 Nigeria is divided into six geopolitical zones: North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East, and South-South.
55 Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe was the first ceremonial president of Nigeria.
56 Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the first prime minister of Nigeria.
57 Nigeria is a member of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
58 The country has a diverse music scene, with popular genres including Afrobeat, Afro-pop, hip-hop, fuji, and gospel music.
59 The Nigerian Civil War, otherwise known as the Biafra war, lasted from 1967 to 1970 and resulted in widespread violence and a significant loss of life.
60 Britain annexed Lagos, Nigeria as a crown colony in August 1861 with the Lagos Treaty of Cession.
61 Nigeria has a diverse transportation system, including road networks, railways, and waterways.
62 Nigeria has a rich history of traditional kingdoms and empires, such as the Benin Empire, Bornu Empire, and the Oyo Empire.
63 The Zuma Rock is one of the most famous geological landmarks in Nigeria.
64 The current President of Nigeria is Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
65 Nigeria’s Super Falcons are the national female football team that has won an international trophy 10 times, securing their record-breaking 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in 2025.

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VIDEO: Defence Minister backs Naval officer A.M Yarima over viral clash with Wike

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Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has praised Lieutenant Yarima, the naval officer involved in a confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over a disputed land in Abuja.

The property is said to belong to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.

Government Promises Protection for Officers on Lawful Duty

Addressing journalists at the National Defence College, Abuja, during a press briefing on the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Celebration, Badaru reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to defending military personnel performing their lawful duties.

He said, “At the Ministry and across the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers performing their duties lawfully. Lieutenant Yarima has acted commendably, and we will ensure his safety.

“We are thoroughly reviewing this matter, and I assure you that any officer performing legitimate duties will receive full protection.”

Viral Video Sparks Public Reactions

Badaru’s comments come after a viral video captured a heated argument between Wike and a naval officer at a construction site in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

In the video, Wike accused the officer of blocking his access to the site, stressing that no one is above the law. The officer, however, maintained that he was following orders from his superiors.

The incident has since generated widespread public debate, with many Nigerians commending the officer’s calmness during the encounter.

Source: GISTREEL

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Retired police officer offers viral navy officer, Yerima part of his pension

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‎A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sunny Anyanwu, has made a generous offer to Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima, the viral naval officer who stood up to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

‎Notably, Ahmad Yerima has been making headlines following a viral video showing a heated confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Lieutenant A.M. Yerima

‎Retired Officer Offers His Pension To Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima

‎In his Facebook post, the retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sunny Anyanwu, revealed he earns a monthly pension of N49,000, and offered N5,000 to the naval officer.

‎Furthermore, he stressed that Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima should be regarded as a British-trained officer.

‎Read Post Below…..

Out of my #49k monthly pension, I have decided to offer #5K to the Naval officer that had open confrontation with the FCT minister WIKE.

‎ The officer could be regarded as a British trained officer. I will also advice President Tinubu to honor him with the award of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

‎ His Bank details should be forwarded through his department pls. This is the type of insult I took for 35yrs and gets #49k monthly pension.

See below…..

Source: GISTREEL

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Wike’s altercation with the Naval officer is a typical example coming out of a disgraced country – Peter Obi

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has described the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer in Abuja as an embarrassment coming from a ‘disgraced nation.’

In a statement shared on social media, Obi said the altercation was “yet another unfortunate reflection of the growing institutional disorder in our country.”

According to him, what should have been a routine civic encounter degenerated into “a public spectacle” that exposes deeper governance problems.

He wrote;

‘’Wike versus Naval Officer: A Lesson for National Reflection

The recent needless altercation between the FCT Minister, HE, Barr. Nyesom Wike and a Naval officer are yet another unfortunate reflection of the growing institutional disorder in our country. What should ordinarily be a routine civic encounter has, once again, become a national embarrassment— a typical example coming out of a ‘disgraced country’

Beyond the personalities involved, this incident raises fundamental questions that demand honest national reflection:

Should the military be used for purely civil operations? If proper protocols were in place, should a Minister’s intervention in such a matter be in such an indecorous manner?

Shouldn’t there be clear boundaries between administrative authority and the duties of security agencies?

What does this say about our respect for institutions and the separation of powers? Why are our men and women in uniform so often drawn into civilian disputes? Why has the culture of due process and civility given way to public spectacle and confrontation? If our institutions worked as they should, would tempers flare in situations that should be handled by clear procedure and hierarchy? Above all, what example do incidents like this set for our younger generation about leadership, discipline, and the rule of law?

These are not just questions about one incident – they go to the very heart of how our nation is governed. When public officials act beyond institutional norms, and when security agencies are used in ways that blur their professional boundaries, we weaken both governance and public trust.

We must learn from this episode. It is time to rebuild a nation where institutions are stronger than individuals; where public office is exercised with humility and restraint; where the dignity of our uniformed officers and the rights of every citizen are upheld.

A country that aspires to greatness and feels insulted when referred to as a disgraced nation must replace the culture of impunity with the discipline of law, order, and respect for due process.

Repeatedly, I have maintained that to occupy an office and be referred to as His Excellency, Distinguished or Honourable, how we get to such an office and our character and behaviour while holding it or out of it should reflect such exemplary titles in all ramifications.”

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