Main Menu

VSO - Sharing Skills, Changing Lives

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, accounting for about one-fifth of the continent's people.
Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups; the largest are the Yoruba, the Hausa and Fulani and the Ibo.
It is home to about 400 languages.
The Yoruba tribe of Nigeria have the highest twin births in the entire world. The Nigerian people attribute it to their population's consumption of a specific type of yam. Scientists have discovered that these colourful vegetables contain a high level of a substance that is similar to the hormone estrogen, which could bring on multiple ovulation.
People from Nigeria are Nigerian. People from Niger are Nigerien!
Abuja, the capital holds a massive four day carnival in November every year. There is a presentation of the "best of the best" dances, acrobats, boat regattas, masks, and durbars from 36 states of Nigeria.
Nigeria has the largest newspaper market in Africa with an estimated circulation of at least 3.3 million copies daily in 2003.
Fela Kuti, pioneer of "Afrobeat" music, hailed from Nigeria.
Lagos is probably the biggest city in sub-Saharan Africa - but as the last census was in 1991, nobody is entirely sure how large the population is.
The Nigerian film industry, estimated to be turning over $250 million dollars each year, has the inevitable nickname "Nollywood".