Date of independence, or formation date: 1960
Date when current borders were established: 1961
National day: Oct 1
Vehicle country identifying code: NGR
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): +1
International telephone dialling code: +234
Internet country identifying code: .ng

Africa's most populous state, Nigeria gained its independence from the UK in 1960. Bordered by Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, its terrain varies from tropical rainforest and swamps in the south to savanna in the north. Nigeria has been dominated by military governments since 1966. After many delays, a promised return to civilian rule came about in 1999, with the election as president of Olusegun Obasanjo, a former general who had been head of state from 1976 to 1979. Nigeria is a major OPEC oil producer, but it experienced a fall in living standards after the end of the 1970s oil boom.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004