Nigeria: Location, Position And Size

LOCATION: Nigeria is located between 4 ⁰ N and 14 ⁰ N of the Equator, and between 3⁰E and 15⁰ E of the Greenwich Meridian. Note that since Nigeria is located between Latitudes 4⁰ Nand 14 ⁰ N, the latitudinal extent of Nigeria is 10 ⁰ i.e. 15 ⁰ – 4 ^0, while her longitudinal extent is 12 ⁰ i.e. 15 ⁰ – 3 ⁰

POSITION:    The position of Nigeria refers to part of the continent Nigeria is found. Nigeria is in Africa (West Africa). She is bounded in the North by Niger Republic, in the North – East byChad Republic, in the East by Cameroon Republic, in the South by Atlantic Ocean, and in the West by Benin Republic. Nigeria is bounded by French speaking (Francophone) West African countries.

SIZE:  Nigeria is the fourth largest country in West Africa in terms of land area after Niger Republic, Mali and Mauritania. The total land area of Nigeria is approximately 923, 768 sq km. The greatest distance from east to west is approximately 1,300 km while from north to south is about 1,100 km. In terms of population, Nigeria is the most populous single country in Africa with a population of over 140 million according to the 2006 population census. Hence, she is often referred to as “The Giant of Africa”.

EVALUATION

1. Describe the location of Nigeria.
2. State the countries that bounds Nigeria.

POLITICAL DIVISION: Nigeria came into existence in 1914 when the Northern and Southern protectorates was amalgamated; she had her independence in 1960, precisely 1st October, 1960. Prior to this time, Nigeria was governed by colonial masters which include:-

• Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard.                                 (1912 – 1919)
• Sir Hurge Clifford                                            (1919 – 1925)
• Sir Creamer Thompson                                     (1925 – 1931)
• Sir Donald Cameroon                                       (1931 – 1935)
• Sir Bernard Boundillion                                    (1935 – 1943)
• Sir Anthony Richard                                         (1943 – 1948)
• Sir John McPherson                                          (1948 – 1958)
• Sir James Robertson                                         (1958 – 1960)

READING ASSIGNMENT

Nigeria politically is divided into 36 State with the FCT. Each of the State has a slogan or title which can also be used for identifying the state.

The States include the following:-

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1. Nigeria is located on lat………?

2. Nigeria is bounded in the north and south by ……… and…………….

GENERAL EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1. …….. State is regarded as the heart- beat of Nigeria?
2. Describe the location of Nigeria.
3. State the countries that bounds Nigeria.
4. What is a scale?
5. State the types of scale.

Reading Assignment: Essential Geography, O.A. Iwena Pages 229-230.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1.         The latitudinal extent of Nigeria is (a) 10⁰ (b) 12⁰  (c) 14⁰ (d) 150

2.         Nigeria is bounded in the west by (a) Cameroon (b) Niger Republic (c) Benin Republic   (d)         Chad

3.         Nigeria has a total land area of (a) 937, 682 sq km (b) 910, 230 sq km(c) 932,768 sq km

(d) 923, 768 sq km

4.         The first military head of state to govern Nigeria after independence was

(a) Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (b) Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi (c) Gen. Muritala Mohammed

(d) Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo

5.         Which of these states is known as the home of solid mineral? (a) Niger (b) Plateau

(c) Nasarawa (d) Oyo

THEORY

1.         Write short note on the location of Nigeria.

2.         Draw the map of Nigeria showing all the 36 states with the FCT.