COUNTRY PROFILE: NIGERIA

June 2006

COUNTRY

Forma Name: Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Short Form: Nigeria.

Term for Citizen(s): Nigerian(s).

Capital: Abuja has been the capital of Nigeria since December 12, 1991. Previously, the capital was Lagos.

Major Cities: The most populous cities in Nigeria are Lagos (12 million), Ibadan (5 million), Abuja (2 million), Kano (1 million), and Enugu (500,000).

Independence: Nigeria achieved independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960.

Public Holidays: A national holiday commemorating independence is celebrated on October 1. Other holidays are New Year’s (January 1), Eid al Kabir (Feast of the Sacrifice—movable date based on the Islamic calendar), Eid al Maulud (Birth of the Prophet—movable date based on the Islamic calendar), Easter (movable date in March or April), Workers’ Day (May 1), Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan—movable date based on the Islamic calendar), Christmas (December 25), and Boxing Day (December 26).

Flag: Nigeria’s flag consists of three equal vertical bands of green, white,

and green.