Nigeria, often referred to as the “Giant of Africa,” is the most populous country on the continent, with a diverse population exceeding 200 million people.
Renowned for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant economy, and significant geopolitical influence, Nigeria remains a focal point for discussions on development, democracy, and diversity in Africa.
This article explores the multifaceted nature of Nigeria, examining its cultural richness, economic potential, and the challenges it faces.
Most populated African country
Nigeria is a regional power in Africa and a middle power in international affairs. Nigeria’s economy is the fourth-largest in Africa, the 53rd-largest in the world by nominal GDP, and the 27th-largest by PPP. Nigeria is often referred to as the Giant of Africa owing to its large population and economy,and is considered to be an emerging market by the World Bank.
Nigeria is a founding member of the African Union and a member of many international organisations, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, NAM, the Economic Community of West African States, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and OPEC. It is also a member of the informal MINT group of countries and is one of the Next Eleven economies.
Film industry: Nigeria has the second-largest film industry in the world
Nollywood, the Nigerian filmmaking industry and the second largest global film industry in terms of output, after that of India (see Bollywood). The term Nollywood, a portmanteau of “Nigeria” and “Hollywood,” can encompass Nigerian films made outside Nigeria as well as English-language Ghanaian films.
It also includes films in Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and other languages of Nigeria. The industry produces about 2,500 films per year, but because pirating films is commonplace in Nigeria its annual revenue, about US$600 million in the mid-2010s, amounts to a mere fraction of that of Hollywood, which produces between 300 and 900 films per year.
The word “Nollywood” first appeared in a headline in The New York Times in 2002. Some in Nollywood are proud of the name, feeling that it recognizes the maturity of Nigeria’s film industry. However, others have argued that as a moniker coined by an American newspaper, it is colonial and does not acknowledge the industry’s organic achievements.
Some Nigerians who have won A Grammy Award
To clear all the misconceptions, here is the list of Nigerians who have won a Grammy Award from inception till date.
1. Sade Adu
2. Seal
3. Burna Boy
4. Chamillionaire
5. Sikiru Adepoju
6. Kevin Olusola
7. Wizkid
8. Tems
9. Cynthia Erivo
10. Jenn Nkiru
Nigeria won African Cup of Nations three times
Nigeria have appeared in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on twenty occasions. Nigeria has won the cup three times: the first time was in 1980 and they won a second title in 1994, held in Tunisia.
Nigeria won their third African title in 2013, held in South Africa.
Leading crude oil producer in Africa
Nigeria continues to dominate as Africa’s largest producer of Crude Oil, boasting proven reserves of 37.50 billion barrels and a production capacity of approximately 2.19 million barrels per day (mbpd).
These were the words of the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, at the House of Representatives Special Committee Two Day Public/Investigative Hearing on Oil Theft/Losses.
According to the CCE, as of 23 July 2024, Nigeria’s average daily production stands at 1.61 mbpd.
10 Nigerians You Didn’t Know Were Guinness World Record Holders
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (He achieved this huge milestone when he recorded 46 albums as a solo artist over the course of his solo career which lasted for 23 years.)
Stephen Keshi (He also holds the Guinness World Record for the youngest person to win the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and coach.)
Mode 9 (He holds the Guinness World Records for the most Headies won.)
Bayo Omoboriowo (In 2021, Discover Nigeria set a Guinness World Record for the largest photobook, measuring 60.84 square metres.)
Wizkid (He holds a Guinness World Record for being the artist with the first track to reach one billion streams on Spotify.)
Flora Ugwunwa (She also set a new world record of 20.25m at this event. This earned her a spot in the GWR hall of fame as a record holder for the farthest female F54 javelin throw in 2016.)
DJ Yin (She broke the world record for the longest DJ set in October 2021 where she operated her set for 243 hours and 30 minutes at The Grill by Yanna, Ikoyi, Lagos.)
Paul Kehinde (In December 2018, Paul Kehinde set a Guinness World Record for the heaviest para power lift by a male in the -65 kg category: 221 kg (487 lb 3.5 oz), breaking his previous world record of 220.5 kg, set at the World Championship in December 2017.)
Rema (His song ‘Calm Down’ secured the first number 1 hit on the world’s first regional streaming chart and first-ever official chart in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), making him a GWR holder.)
Tobi Amusan (In 2022, Tobi Amusan set the record for the fastest female 100-metre hurdle at 12.12 seconds at the athletics championships in Oregon and made the Guinness World Book record for it. Her record remains unbroken till date.)
In the list of top 10 scamming countries in the world
Nigeria is at the top of our list of the top 10 most scamming countries in the world, with the highest rate of getting scammed. Even in your own country, you’ve probably encountered viral or bogus news. In the central bank or a big amount of inheritance that is difficult for them to obtain due to government limitations or taxes in their nation, they ask for your bank details so that they may transfer the money to you, and they will use your information to steal your funds in the process. Stolen credit cards were the most common crime in Nigeria, followed by gold sales and online dating, confidence fraud, false paperwork and inheritance transfers, fake websites, phoney contracts, kidnapping and robbery, and employment scams.
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