While its travel industry remains relatively young compared to countries like Kenya or South Africa, Nigeria continues to leave memorable impressions on past visitors and can be quite challenging to navigate and get beneath even for locals.
Nigeria’s 150 million residents make it Africa’s most populous nation; 20 million of which live in Lagos, its pulsating commercial capital (Abuja is the administrative capital).
With over 250 distinct ethnic groups, a 50-50 religious split between Christians and Muslims, a rapidly growing film industry called Nollywood, a fanatical loyalty to the Super Eagles (national football team), a deeply complex (and frankly corrupt) petroleum oil industry, vibrant outdoor markets, a penchant for boisterous neighborhood parties, and a thriving fashion industry inspired by traditional fabrics such as ankara, Nigeria refuses to remain just another check mark off many bucket lists.
From literary writer Chinua Achebe to Fela Kuti (considered the father of Afrobeat), Nigeria has been producing world-renown talent for decades. Below, we’ve written articles – from a quick guide to Pidgin English to narratives on life in Nigeria – to help demystify aspects of Nigerian culture and lifestyle.