Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, according to United Nations estimates.
Nigeria lies on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa and has a population exceeding 200 million people. Its largest city and former capital, Lagos, is one of Africa’s major urban and economic centers, while Abuja has been the federal capital since 1991.
The country’s population reflects substantial linguistic, ethnic, and religious diversity. Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo are among its largest ethnolinguistic groups, and English is the official language. Nigeria is also Africa’s largest economy by nominal gross domestic product in some recent rankings, although rankings can vary with exchange rates and measurement methods.
Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are also among Africa’s most populous states. Population estimates change annually, but Nigeria has consistently held the continent’s top position in modern demographic datasets.