Nigeria, often regarded as the “Giant of Africa” has proven itself to have the largest population and economy in Africa. Beyond these, there are several other reasons why the country is known as a giant.
Is Nigeria Still the Giant of Africa?
Nigeria is still considered the giant of Africa. With over 225.2 million people, the country has the largest population and the largest economy in Africa.
More into its population, Nigeria is the seventh most populous nation in the world and the most populated Black country in the world.
There is more to why the country is called the Giant of Africa. It is known for its high-ranking state in entertainment and sports.
Here are some Fascinating Facts About Nigeria
1. There is a Conspiracy Theory that Nigeria’s 15th President may be a Body Double
In 2017, Nigeria’s 15th President, Muhammadu Buhari suffered health challenges and stayed away from the nation for months. While there were questions that kept coming up concerning his health, and whether he was alive, a major conspiracy theory struck the country and its leader.
In 2018, an activist, Nnamdi Kanu claimed that the country’s President had died and was replaced with a body double from Sudan known as Jibril el-Sudan.
Although this theory has been debunked over and time again, some world and organizational leaders sent their condolences to Nigeria.
2. Nigeria is the First Country to Ban Foreign Models and Voice-Over Artists
In 2022, Nigeria banned foreign models and voice-over artists. At the time the ban was announced, it was revealed that it would take effect on October 1, 2022.
The move would disallow foreign accents in adverts. The ban was praised by others while it was frowned upon by others. For those against the ban, they claim that there are Nigerian citizens who have lived abroad and have foreign accents.
Also, it is not uncommon that some On Air personalities have foreign accents and the ban may affect them.
3. The Country Has Produced the Smartest Family in Britain
It is a common fact that Nigerians are some of the most intelligent people in the world. Well, this common knowledge has proven itself in the fact that a Nigerian family based in Britain became famous as the smartest family in the country.
Their fame started with Professor Chris Imafidon, the chair and founder of the Education program, at Oxford, UK.
How did the family become so smart? Prof. Chris Imafidon grew up autistic but he later became an educationist and raised his children to become geniuses through a special teaching method.
His twin children, Peter and Paula Imafidon are nicknamed “The Wonder Twins”. They became the youngest children in British history to attend high school at the age of 9. They also set world records when they passed the A/AS-level math papers as well as became the youngest to ever pass the University of Cambridge’s advanced mathematics exam.
The other member of the family, Anne-Marie also became the youngest person to pass the A-level computing exam. She has contributed immensely to education and for her contribution to education, she was recognized as BBC’s 100 Women in 2017.
At 11 years old, another child of the family, Christina Imafidon was the youngest student in history to attend British University.
4. Nigeria has Africa’s Oldest Dye Pit
Kofar Mata Dye Pit was founded in 1498 in Kano State, Nigeria. It remains the oldest dye pit in Africa and it’s known for the production of ancient fabric.
In ancient times, people traveled from different parts of the world to buy dyed fabric. One of the most interesting things about the over 500-year-old pit is its ability to stick to the ancient method of tye and dye. The methods have been passed to several generations and the same ingredients used for the process are still used.
Nonetheless, the dye pit has been losing its glory in recent times and many works have been done to bring back what it has lost and even make it greater.
5. It has the Highest Rate of Twins in the World
Igbo-Ora, a town in Oyo State in Nigeria has recorded the highest incidence of multiple births.
Based on reports, about 45 to 50 sets of twins per 1000 live births have been recorded in this town.
You may want to ask why the rate of twin births is high in Nigeria. Well, the major factor given is nutrition. Igbo-Ora is known for having a particular species of yam which is mostly turned into flour and made with a special type of soup.
While this report may not have scientific backing, people around the area widely believe that the delicacy increases fertility and it is why they have several multiple births.
6. Nigeria has the Biggest Film and Music Industries in Africa
From music to movies and entertainment in general, Nigeria is known for taking center stage in Africa. The annual growth of the Nigerian music industry has been massive and has enjoyed a growth rate of about 7.20% since 2022.
Some of the biggest musicians in Africa are Nigerians. They include Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido.
Moreso, the Nigerian movie industry is the third-largest in the world in terms of the number of annual film productions. This places it ahead of the United States and a step below India.
The film industry makes up about 5% of Nigeria’s national GDP.
7. The People of the Country are Some of the most Optimistic People in the World
Despite the daggers that come shooting through different angles in Nigeria, CNN has credited the country’s people as highly optimistic people. Also, Nigerians have made it to the list of some of the happiest people on earth.
Their optimistic nature is often associated with their religious lives and believe that no matter how things are bad, a supreme being can make things better.
8. It Has 7% of the Total Languages Spoken on Earth
Nigeria is a country with more than 250 languages and is one of the most culturally diversified countries in the world.
Currently, the country makes up about 7% of the world’s total ethnic groups. Only Taraba state in northern Nigeria has more languages than 30 African countries.
The major languages in the country are Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba.
9. Nigeria’s Niger Delta is One of the Largest Deltas in the World
The Niger Delta runs about 150 miles and covers about 36,000 square kilometers and it is also one of the world’s largest deltas in the world.
The delta is also one of the most revenue-generating rivers in Nigeria.
It is home to some endangered species in the world. More to this, the Niger Delta has the highest concentration of monotypic fish families in the world.
10. The Walls of Benin were the Largest Earthworks in the World
The walls of Benin were one the greatest in the world and stood for 400 years from the first millennium CE to 1897 when it was destroyed by the British.
The wall is evidence of the earliest civilization in Africa. The city was a series of earthworks made of banks and ditches and has been described as the largest earthworks before the mechanical era.
According to some historians, the walls were about four times longer than the Great Wall of China. Also, there are recordings that it took an estimated 150 million hours of digging to construct and may also be the largest single archeological phenomenon on the planet.
