Biggest, Oldest, Wealthiest: Top Amazing Finds About Nigeria You Should know

Nigeria, a country in West Africa is home to some of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.

It is also home to some of Africa’s celebrated intellects, musicians, creatives, and businesspeople.

Like many African countries, the country is still largely under-developed owing to poor leadership. Of recent, the insecurity crisis in the country and massive political corruption are gradually changing the country’s narrative.

This post put together some of the amazing discoveries out of the country. However, some of these discoveries make one wonder why the country is still struggling to emerge as a powerful black nation.

Nigeria has the highest number of universities in Africa with more than 152 universities.

The Dufuna canoe is Africa’s oldest known boat. It was discovered in Dufuna village Yobe state, and it is dated to be over 8,000 years old. It is the 3rdldest boat in the world.

Nigeria has one of the largest markets in West Africa, and by extension in Africa. The Onitsha Main Market is one of the largest markets in West Africa based on geographical size and volume of goods. The market is located in Anambra state, the south-eastern part of the country.

Omo Ghetto: The Saga, a film by Funke Akindele-Bello was Africa’s highest-grossing film in 2021.

Nigeria houses the largest natural gas reserves in Africa. Nigeria has around 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Nigeria is the largest country in Africa in terms of population. Nigeria has a population of more than 211 million people.

The walls of Benin are recognized as the world’s largest earthworks carried out  before the mechanical era. The walls are located in present-day Benin City.

Nigeria has two UNESCO world heritage sites namely the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa state, and Osun Osoghbo Sacred Grove in Osun state.

Nigeria is the highest producer of cassava in Africa and the world.

The Ogba Ukwu cave is considered to be one of the largest caves in West Africa. The cave is located in Owere Ezukala community Anambra state. The cave has four rock shelters, two waterfalls, and other amazing features.

Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world. In Africa, Nigeria is the largest oil-producing country with an average of 1.27 million-2.35 million barrels a day and about 113 million tonnes every year.

The Ibeno Beach in Akwa Ibom State is the longest sand beach in West Africa. The beach is one of the beaches on the Atlantic Ocean along the shorelines of Ibeno. The sand beach is said to be 10 times longer than the Lagos bar beach.

Aliko Dangote now owns the world’s largest single-train oil factory. The Dangote oil refinery is located in Ibeju-Lekki, Nigeria. The refinery is expected to kick off operations in the third quarter of 2022. It will have a capacity of 650,000 barrels a day.

Nigeria is the largest producer of palm oil in Africa.

The Nigerian movie industry is the biggest in Africa, and it is among the top movie industries in the world.

Nigeria has more than two hundred and fifty ethnic groups/tribes scattered in its 36 states. Plateau state alone has more than ten tribes in its community.

The Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood produces the highest number of films in Africa. In 2020, despite the lockdown and restrictions, Nollywood still produced more than 2,500 movies. Nollywood is the second-largest producer in the world.

Dangote industries limited has the highest fertilizer plant in West Africa. The Dangote fertilizer complex with an investment of $2.5 billion is the biggest in West Africa.

Nigeria has the largest church auditorium in the world. The Hand of God Cathedral of Salvation Ministry has a 120,000 capacity making it the largest in the world. It is located in Igwuruta, Rivers state.

Nigeria has over two hundred known tourism attractions scattered in almost all the local governments in the country. However, most of these attractions are still largely underdeveloped.