Nigeria: flag, capital, currency and history

Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in Western Africa, Africa. Its capital is Abuja. The currency is the Nigerian naira. Languages spoken include English.

Quick facts about Nigeria

Official name: Federal Republic of Nigeria
Capital: Abuja
Region: Africa, Western Africa
Currency: Nigerian naira (NGN, ₦)
Languages: English
Calling code: +234
Internet domain: .ng
Area: 923,768 km² (356,669 sq mi)
Land borders: Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger
Demonym: Nigerian
National day: Independence Day, October 1

Flag of Nigeria

Download the flag of Nigeria as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇳🇬.

SVG (vector)

History of Nigeria

The Nok culture produced notable terracotta sculpture in central Nigeria from around 1500 BC. Later, kingdoms and city-states such as Kanem-Bornu, the Hausa states, Oyo, Ife and Benin flourished, and the Sokoto Caliphate was founded in 1804. Britain took Lagos in 1861 and gradually extended control, merging its northern and southern protectorates in 1914. Nigeria became independent in 1960 and a republic in 1963. A civil war over the secession of Biafra lasted from 1967 to 1970, and military governments ruled for much of the following decades until civilian rule returned in 1999. It is a federal republic with Abuja as its capital.

Key dates

c. 1500 BCThe Nok culture emerges on the Jos Plateau in central Nigeria.
1804Usman dan Fodio launches the jihad that creates the Sokoto Caliphate.
1861Britain annexes Lagos.
1914The northern and southern protectorates are amalgamated into one colony and protectorate.
1960Nigeria becomes independent from Britain on 1 October.
1967The Nigerian Civil War begins after the declaration of the Republic of Biafra.
1999A civilian government takes office, ending a period of military rule.