LOCATION OF NIGERIA
Nigeria is located between 4 0 N and 14 0 N of the Equator, and between 30E and 150 E of the Greenwich Meridian. Note that since Nigeria is located between Latitudes 40 N and 14 0 N, the latitudinal extent of Nigeria is 10 0 i.e. 15 0 – 4 0, while her longitudinal extent is 12 0 i.e. 15 0 – 3 0
POSITION OF NIGERIA
The position of Nigeria refers to part of the continent Nigeria is found. Nigeria is in Africa (West Africa). She is bounded in the North by Niger Republic, in the North – East by Chad Republic, in the East by Cameroon Republic, in the South by Atlantic Ocean, and in the West by Benin Republic. Nigeria is bounded by French speaking (Francophone) West African countries.
SIZE: Nigeria is the fourth largest country in West Africa in terms of land area after Niger Republic, Mali and Mauritania. The total land area of Nigeria is approximately 923, 768 sq km. The greatest distance from east to west is approximately 1,300 km while from north to south is about 1,100 km. In terms of population, Nigeria is the most populous single country in Africa with a population of over 140 million according to the 2006 population census. Hence, she is often referred to as “The Giant of Africa”.
POLITICAL DIVISION
Nigeria came into existence in 1914 when the Northern and Southern protectorates was amalgamated; she had her independence in 1960, precisely 1st October, 1960. Prior to this time, Nigeria was governed by colonial masters which include:-
- Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard. (1912 – 1919)
- Sir Hurge Clifford (1919 – 1925)
- Sir Creamer Thompson (1925 – 1931)
- Sir Donald Cameroon (1931 – 1935)
- Sir Bernard Boundillion (1935 – 1943)
- Sir Anthony Richard (1943 – 1948)
- Sir John McPherson (1948 – 1958)
- Sir James Robertson (1958 – 1960)
Nigeria politically is divided into 36 State with the FCT. Each of the State has a slogan or title which can also be used for identifying the state.
The States include the following:-
| Nos. | STATE | CAPITAL | TITLE / SLOGAN |
| 1 | Abia | Umuahia | God’s own State |
| 2 | Adamawa | Yola | Highest peak of the Nation |
| 3 | Akwa Ibom | Uyo | Land of promise |
| 4 | Anambra | Awka | Home for all |
| 5 | Bauchi | Bauchi | Pearl of Tourism |
| 6 | Bayelsa | Yenagoa | The glory of all lands |
| 7 | Benue | Makurdi | Food basket of the Nation |
| 8 | Borno | Maiduguri | Home of peace |
| 9 | Cross River | Calabar | The peoples paradise |
| 10 | Delta | Asaba | The big heart |
| 11 | Ebonyi | Abakaliki | Salt of the Nation |
| 12 | Edo | Benin | The heart beat |
| 13 | Ekiti | Ado-Ekiti | Fountain of knowledge |
| 14 | Enugu | Enugu | Coal city State |
| 15 | Gombe | Gombe | Jewel of the Savannah |
| 16 | Imo | Owerri | Land of hope |
| 17 | Jigawa | Duste | The new world |
| 18 | Kaduna | Kaduna | Liberal State |
| 19 | Kano | Kano | Centre of commerce |
| 20 | Katsina | Katsina | State of hospitality |
| 21 | Kebbi | Birnin Kebbi | Land of equity |
| 22 | Kogi | Lokoja | The confluence State |
| 23 | Kwara | Ilorin | State of Harmony |
| 24 | Lagos | Ikeja | Centre of excellence |
| 25 | Nasarawa | Lafia | The home of solid mineral |
| 26 | Niger | Minna | The power State |
| 27 | Ogun | Abeokuta | The Gateway State |
| 28 | Ondo | Akure | The sunshine state |
| 29 | Osun | Oshogbo | State of living spring |
| 30 | Oyo | Ibadan | The pace setter state |
| 31 | Plateau | Jos | Home of peace and tourism |
| 32 | Rivers | Port-Harcourt | Treasure base of the nation |
| 33 | Sokoto | Sokoto | Seat of the Caliphate |
| 34 | Taraba | Jalingo | Nature’s gift to the nation |
| 35 | Yobe | Damaturu | The young shall grow |
| 36 | Zamfara | Gusau | Home of Agric. Products |
| 37 | FCT | Abuja | Centre of unity |
GENERAL EVALUATION QUESTIONS
- …….. State is regarded as the heart- beat of Nigeria?
- Describe the location of Nigeria.
- State the countries that bounds Nigeria.
- What is a scale?
- State the types of scale.
- Nigeria is located on lat………?
- Nigeria is bounded in the north and south by ……… and…………….
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- The latitudinal extent of Nigeria is (a) 100 (b) 120 (c) 140 (d) 150
- Nigeria is bounded in the west by (a) Cameroon (b) Niger Republic (c) Benin Republic (d) Chad
- Nigeria has a total land area of (a) 937, 682 sq km (b) 910, 230 sq km(c) 932,768 sq km (d) 923, 768 sq km
- The first military head of state to govern Nigeria after independence was (a) Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (b) Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi (c) Gen. Muritala Mohammed (d) Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo
- Which of these states is known as the home of solid mineral? (a) Niger (b) Plateau (c) Nasarawa (d) Oyo
THEORY
- Write short note on the location of Nigeria.
- Draw the map of Nigeria showing all the 36 states with the FCT.
See also
FRUIT FARMING IN MEDITERRANEAN REGIONS OF AFRICA
PLANTATION AGRICULTURE IN WEST AND EAST AFRICA
IRRIGATION AGRICULTURE IN THE NILE AND NIGER BASIN
LUMBERING IN EQUATORIAL AFRICA (ZAIRE AND NIGERIA)
AFRICA: CLIMATE AND VEGETATION