Top 75 Mind Blowing Facts About Nigeria 2019

Interesting Facts About Nigeria 2019 You Must Know

In a quest to know the top 100 facts, I came across a similar question on Quora platform where the questions says;

• What are the top 10 blowing facts about Nigeria?
• What are remarkable facts about Nigeria? and
• What are some mind-blowing facts about Nigeria/Nigerians?

So, I decided to gather the collection of answers that was really mind-blowing facts about Nigeria which were given there.

Are you aware that all over the world, Nigerians are pacesetters and becoming the standard by which others measure themselves?

So, below are

Some Mind-Blowing Facts About Nigeria you Must know

1. In the US, Nigerians are the most educated immigrant community. Type it into Google and you’ll see it. Not one of the most educated, the most educated.
2. 60% of Nigerians in the US have college degrees. This is far above the American national average of 30%.
3. Nigerians in US are one of the highest earners, typically earning 25% more than the median US income of $53k.
4. In Ivy League schools in Europe and America, Nigerians routinely outperform their peers from other nations.
5. A Nigerian family, The Imafidon family, have officially been named the smartest family in the UK.
6. The designer of the famous car, Chevrolet Volt, Jelani Aliyu, is a super talented Nigerian from Sokoto State.
7. The World’s fastest supercomputer was designed by a world-renowned inventor and scientist, Philip Emeagwali, a full-blown Nigerian whose patency was awarded in 2015. This means Nigeria has the patency to the world’s fastest computer: a Nigerian.
8. The wealthiest Black man and woman on earth are Nigerians, Aliko Dangote and Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija. Both have no trace of criminal record of any kind.
9. South Africa couldn’t have ended apartheid & achieved Black rule if not for the leadership role Nigeria played.
10. Of the 3 South African Presidents who ruled after apartheid, two of them once lived in Nigeria under asylum. Both Nelson Mandela (60s) and Thabo Mbeki (70s) lived in Nigeria before becoming President of South Africa. We gave financial support, human support, boycotted an Olympics and our politicians, musicians and activists campaigned relentlessly.
11. Nigeria spent over $3 Billion and lost hundreds of soldiers to end the wars in both Liberia and Sierra Leone which the world ignored because they have no oil.
12. When there was a coup in São Tomé and Príncipe in 2003, Nigeria restored the elected President back to power.
13. Before there were street lights in European cities, ancient Benin kingdom had street lights fueled by palm oil.
14. 500 years ago, Benin cast metal alloys to create magnificent art including the world famous Queen Ida Mask.
15. Amina was a warrior queen who ruled Zaria Emirate in Kaduna state, Northwestern Nigeria 400 years ago in 1610. Google and see what she means to Africa.
16. We gave monetary gifts to Ireland during our oil boom and built a statue for France free of charge. We are not poor blacks. Nigeria is rich and don’t be lied to.
17. The first television station in Africa was NTA Ibadan (1960) long before Ireland has their RTE station…Wherever you look in this great country, Nigeria, heroes abound both now and in our recent and ancient past. If all you do is listen to mainstream Western media, you’ll not get the full & true picture of your Nigerian heritage…We’re not a nation of scammers, drugs & corruption, but a people with a verifiable track record of greatness…
18. On the 7th of May, 2016 at Howard University in Washington D.C history was made. Out of 96 graduating Doctor of Pharmacy candidates, 43 of them were Nigerians and out of 27 awards given, 16 went to Nigerians. The entire world still envies our uniqueness as a NATION, living together despite our ethnic diversity. One single country with over 400 languages. They will only tell you how Nigerians are scammers and cheats, how Nigerians are into drugs overseas. If you don’t blow your trumpet, no one will blow it for you.
19. There are over 180,000,000 Nigerians world over and only about 250,000 of this figure have traceable criminal records. This is about 0.14% of our entire national population in the last 20 years: nothing close to 1%. Shame on global media. Listen Nigeria, don’t let anybody woo you into believing that you are a criminal just because you are a Nigerian. Nigerians are NOT criminals. You are NOT a criminal. You are topnotch; second to none around the world.

This 19 points above were given by Prince Onos on Quora, while Augustin Elioku went further to spot out other points continuing from 20

20. Nigeria has the highest rate of private jet owners in Africa:

As poor and terrorizing Nigeria might be, there are many, i mean thousands of rich multi-millionaires and billionaires in Nigeria riding private jets to-and-fro within and outside Naija. #Winks

The richest black-man is from here also so you now have a clue of how rich the rich Nigerians are.

The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) estimates that there are already up to 600 business jets in Africa.

According to them, although China leads the way globally, Nigeria is the second-fastest-growing market in the world and is home to more private jets than even South Africa.

21. Five of the top ten richest pastors are Nigerians.

Nigeria has the highest number of millionaire pastors on the top ten list of richest pastors in the WORLD.

22. Nigeria is the fifth fastest growing internet population in the world:

All Thanks to Glo, they are making data cheaper thereby forcing other networks like MTN and Airtel are forced to reduce their prices because of competition.

23. The first Black African to win gold at the Commonwealth games and at an international sports event was Emmanuel Ifeajuna, a Nigerian high-jumper. He broke all records of the time by clearing a height of 6ft and 8in:
24. Tinie Tempah is Also Nigerian:

Tinie Tempah real names Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu is one of the top UK rappers. Born on November 7, 1988 to Nigerian parents from Ibusa, Delta state. Tinie Tempah began his music career in 2005 and he has since carved a niche for himself with several awards to his names. From Brit Award, Nigeria Entertainment Awards to MOBO Awards. In 2014, he won the BET Awards for the Best International Act. In 2013, Tinie Tempah traveled to his homeland, Nigeria, to play his first ever show in Lagos to thousands of fans. Apparently, Tinnie Tempah has got a thing of fashion, as he is reportedly one of the most stylish men in the music industry.

25. HUGO WEAVING:

Born in Nigeria but not by Nigerian parents. so he’s Nigerian by birth.

he acted in blockbuster movies like Lord of the rings trilogy, captain America trilogy, and Hobbit trilogy.

Then Deolu Laluwoye went ahead to list some other facts about Nigeria

26. Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups with more than 500 languages. Take that to the bank any day any time.
27. There are over 200 public and private universities in Nigeria. Nigerians take education too seriously.
28. Lagos, the usually wrongly assumed the capital of Nigeria, is the smallest state in Nigeria in terms of landmass but has a population of over 20million people (the highest in the country). It’s also regarded as one of the fastest growing modern cities of the world. Viva Las Gidi!
29. Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave) and David Oyelowo (Selma) are both Hollywood top actors with multiple awards and Academy Awards nominees for Best Actor in a main role. They are so Nigerian, their names couldn’t give them away any easier.
30. The Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) is the biggest in Africa, and ranks 3rd in the world
31. Nigeria’s Samuel Peters was one-time international boxing champion who defeated Russia’s Oleg Maskev. Until the Klitchko brothers laid hands on him. I hope Anthony Joshua (another Nigerian) does the needful.
32. Hollywood hotties, Kerry Washington and Nia Long are both married to Nigerians. Maybe it’s the accent tho! Coz it’s actually one of the sexiest too.
33. When you speak of entertainment in Africa, think Nigeria. Internationally acclaimed superstars like D’Banj, Wizkid, and Davido all grew up in Lagos, Nigeria.
34. 1 in every 4 educated blacks in US and UK is Nigerian. Google the Imafiodion Family. Fani Kayode (Former Nigerian Minister of Aviation) graduated from Cambridge. So did his father and grandfather. All studied Law, long before some whites could even attempt it.
35. Chimamnda Adichie, prolific female writer and activist has been repeatedly named as Time Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Women in the world.
36. In 2005, the Guinness World Record for biggest congregation of christians in a single Sunday service was awarded to the Faith Terbanacle of Living Faith Ministries International A.K.A Winners Chapel at Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
37. Of the 56 years post-independence politics in Nigeria, the country witnessed 28 years of military rule at intermittent periods. 7 successful military coup de tat, 1 civil war (1967–1970), several attempted coups, 2 one-time military Heads of State turned democratic presidents, 2 Presidents who died in office (Abacha 1998, and Yar’Adua 2010). 1 President who lasted just 3 months (Ernest Shonekan August – October 1993). 1 Military Head of State who lasted 9 years (Gen. Yakubu Gowon July 1966- June 1975). And several political scandals and drama in the legislature.
38. The biggest political party in Africa is Nigeria’s own People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
39. The first television station in Africa was NTA Ibadan (1960) long before Ireland has their RTE station.

Now, Let’s Talk About

10 Facts About Nigerian Tech and Companies

 

40. The Largest Blockchain company in Africa (Blockchain Tech Hub; Satowallet) is owned by a Nigerian, Samuel Benedict Ogbonnaya. The company was also the first African crypto company to process over $3 million transaction in a month.
41. Andela is owned by a Nigerian and the first African company to raise over $100-million-dollar funding from venture capital. Andela is also the largest developer hub and outsourcing platform in Africa with office location in various countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Angola, United states, etc.
42. Lagos is the Silicon Valley of Nigeria and hold the largest Tech entrepreneurs, freelancers and companies in Africa. Hence, Lagos remains the African most valuable startup ecosystem.
43. Nigeria holds the largest share on Google mobile search in the world
44. There are over 2 Million Twitter users in Nigeria
45. Globacom launched the first commercial 3G service in Nigeria in 2008
46. Nigeria has a mobile phone capacity of 237.5 Million lines
47. Of the Top 5 consumer technology companies, only Apple doesn’t have offices in Nigeria.
48. Nigeria’s tech entrepreneurship is in its early stages but has great future potential. Startup density hints at great potential for new startups and their longevity indicates that, once founded, tech startups are likely to persevere in Nigeria
49. Nigerian Tech Ecosystem currently the fastest growing and most important tech startup in Africa – 2019.

25 Interesting Historical Facts About Nigeria You Need To Know

50. Activist Mrs. Fumilayo Ransome-Kuti travelled widely, including to the Eastern bloc (Hungary, USSR and China where she met Mao Zedong). These interactions angered Nigeria, Britain and America. America called her a communist and refused her a U.S. Visa.
51. Fumilayo Ransome-Kuti, legendary Fela’s mother, was one of the delegates that negotiated Nigeria’s independence in Britain.
52. Sardauna of Sokoto said he preferred foreign workers to Igbo’s because he felt Igbo’s are domineering. This was while Nigeria existed as regions with regional administrations.
53. Kaduna Nzeogwu killed Sardauna in Nigeria’s first military coup
54. In 1966, a mischievous Igbo owned bakery allegedly made a loaf of bread with a label that depicted Nzeogwu as the Saint in the ‘Saint George and the Dragon’ medieval tale, killing Sardauna, the ‘dragon,’ this labeled bread provoked deadly anti-Igbo riots.
55. Travel Visa was not required to travel to the United Kingdom till 1984.
56. In 1976, 75 kobo exchanged for one British Pound and 60 kobo for one US dollar.
57. A brand new car sold for N2000 in 1975. A ticket to London was less than N100 in 1975.
58. Nigeria took its first loan from the World Bank in 1977.
59.  A dollar was 90 kobo at the beginning of Babangida’s term in 1985.
60. Obasanjo’s first term and Babangida’s regime oversaw the weakening of the naira.
61. Usman dan Fodio (1754–1817) was trained in classical Islamic science, philosophy and theology and wrote over 100 books on society, culture, religion, governance and politics. He could only declare Jihad when he was made leader in Gudu {In Islam you can only declare Jihad if you are an official Muslim leader}.
62. The Igbo ethnic group are the ‘Jews’ of Nigeria. Eager for a home state and highly entrepreneurial; during the Biafra secession attempt in the 60’s, these industrious people were already constructing indigenous tanks and other weaponry.
63.  Discovered in 1928, Nigeria’s North and North Central region hosts West Africa’s oldest civilization; the Nok, which flourished between 1000 BC and 300 BC. {Nok sculptures recently went on display disappointingly in Germany (not Africa).}
64. Lord Lugard estimated in 1904 that there were 170 walled towns still in existence in the whole of just the Kano province of northern Nigeria. He described Kano: ‘Commercial emporium of the western Sudan.’ Of its wall, he said, ‘I have never seen, nor even imagined, anything like it in Africa.’
65. Kano: In 1851, this city, one of the largest in Africa, made 10 million sandal pairs and 5 million hides for export every year.
66. Akwa Ibom: King Jaja of Opobo (1821–1891) founded Opobo city-state in 1867 and shipped palm oil to Britain independently of British middle men.
67. The Obasanjo military regime converted Nigeria from a Parliamentary system to a Presidential system of government.
68. General Johnson Thomas Umurakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi on 24 May 1966, with Decree No. 34, dissolved Nigeria’s regions, creating provinces. He unified Regional Public Services under a single Commission. Riots were provoked in Kano and mutiny in Abeokuta; eventually there was a coup.
69. Gowon’s Decree No. 8 of 1967 after the Aburi conference restored Nigeria as a confederacy.
70. Ex- President Yakubu Gowon from Jos state (Middle Belt) is a Christian. General Obasanjo was his Army chief who helped him defeat the Biafra attempted secession from 1967-1970.
71. 6 coups is the highest number of any nation in Africa. Nigeria along with Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Uganda and Mauritania are the nations with 6 coups.
72. Azikiwe left Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) because he claimed the organization had been seized by Yoruba’s and it discriminated against Igbo’s including himself.
73. The Biafra 13th battalion, led by Ivenso entered Kwara, now Kogi and captured Okene, Atanai and Iloshi.
74. The Biafra 12th battalion headed by Lt Col Victor Adebukunola Banjo captured Benin and set out to capture Ibadan and Lagos.
75. Cameroon was an administrative part of Nigeria in 1945, hence the NCNC party (National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons). Towards independence the UN mandated British held former German territory, south Cameroon opted to join French Cameroon and not Nigeria.

 

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