Nigeria

A major country in Western Africa, and an important source of oil on the continent.

The most populous country in Africa and the eighth most populous country on Earth, with a population of about 155 million, it has over 200 different official tribes. The population is split fairly evenly between Muslims and Christians (50% to 48% was the 2003 estimate). A number of northern states are using Sharia law and there are regular outbreaks of religious violence.

Neighbours Cameroon in the east, Benin in the west, Niger in the north and Chad in the northeast. Was once one of the major exporters of slaves to the western world via the Bight of Biafra and Benin. Independence has seen several military dictatorships and several bloody wars, including an attempt by the Biafra area to secede in 1969 that led to over a million deaths, many by starvation.

Nigeria is famous for its productive (if variable) movie industry. It's also infamous for its 419 email scams (named for the section of Nigerian law they violate).


 * Four One Nine Scam: Unfortunately a few bad apples have given it a reputation as the world centre of email scams.
 * Boisterous Bruiser: Supposedly has a reputation among other African nations for being proud and arrogant.
 * I'm a Humanitarian: Recently in the news because of superstitions that eating an albino will bring superpowers. Actual cases are very rare.
 * Nollywood: The Nigerian film industry has surpassed Hollywood in production and sales, and is now second in the world to Bollywood. Peroduces hundreds of movies in a month, often of variable quality, although some real gems can be found if willing to look for them.

In fiction

 * Wole Soyinka, first African to be awarded the Nobel Prize of Literature, hails from here.
 * Fantasy author Nnedi Okorafor's books often take place here and are based on the culture.
 * Things Fall Apart, the most widely-read modern African novel, is set in Nigeria, as are many of author Chinua Achebe's other works.
 * Author Buchi Emecheta is from Nigeria; most of her books are set there and have to do with the problems facing modern Nigerian women.
 * Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke is of Nigerian descent.
 * The musical Fela, based on Nigerian musician and afrobeat genre maker Fela Kuti, is almost entirely set here and regarding his relationship with Nigerian history.