LOCATION OF NIGERIA
Nigeria is located between latitude 40N and 140N of the equator and between longitude 30E and 150E
of the Greenwich meridian. Therefore the latitudinal extent of Nigeria is about 100 (140N-40N) while
the longitudinal extent is 120(150E-30E).
POSITION OF NIGERIA
Nigeria is in West Africa and centrally located in Africa. Apart from the Atlantic ocean in the south,
she is surrounded by francophone (French speaking) countries. She is bounded in the west by Benin
Republic, in the north by Niger Republic, in the east by Cameroun Republic, in the north-east by Chad
Republic and in the south by Atlantic Ocean.
SIZE OF NIGERIA
Nigeria is the fourth largest country in West Africa in terms of land area after Niger, Mali and
Mauritania. The total land area of Nigeria is approximately 923,768 square kilometres. The greatest
distance from east to west is approximately 1,300km while from north to south is about 1,100km.
In terms of population, Nigeria is the most populous single country in Africa and the seventh largest
country in the world with a population of about 200million persons based on the united nation recent
estimate.
POLITICAL DIVISION OF NIGERIA
The country, Nigeria came into existence in 1914 as a result of the amalgamation of the Northern and
Southern protectorates. She became independent in 1960. As at independence, the country had three
regions namely, North, East and West. The Northern region had its headquarters in Kaduna, East in Enugu
and West in Ibadan.
In 1963, Nigeria became a republic and the fourth region known as Mid-West was created from the then
Western region with its headquarters in Benin City. The political divisions remained four until 1967 when
the country was further divided into twelve states.
In 1976, the country was further divided into 19 states. In September 23rd 1987, two more states were
created, making the total number to be 21. Nigeria presently has thirty six states and a Federal Capital
Territory (FCT), Abuja which is the federal capital of Nigeria.
