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:-

Nos.	STATE	CAPITAL	TITLE / SLOGAN
1	Abia	Umuahia	God’s own State
2	Adamawa	Yola	Highest peak  of the Nation
3	Akwa Ibom	Uyo	Land of promise
4	Anambra	Awka	Home for all
5	Bauchi	Bauchi	Pearl of Tourism
6	Bayelsa	Yenagoa	The glory of all lands
7	Benue	Makurdi	Food basket of the Nation
8	Borno	Maiduguri	Home of peace
9	Cross River	Calabar	The peoples paradise
10	Delta	Asaba	The big heart
11	Ebonyi	Abakaliki	Salt of the Nation
12	Edo	Benin	The heart beat
13	Ekiti	Ado-Ekiti	Fountain of knowledge
14	Enugu	Enugu	Coal city State
15	Gombe	Gombe	Jewel of the Savannah
16	Imo	Owerri	Land of hope
17	Jigawa	Duste	The new world
18	Kaduna	Kaduna	Liberal State
19	Kano	Kano	Centre of commerce
20	Katsina	Katsina	State of hospitality
21	Kebbi	Birnin Kebbi	Land of equity
22	Kogi	Lokoja	The confluence State
23	Kwara	Ilorin	State of Harmony
24	Lagos	Ikeja	Centre of excellence
25	Nasarawa	Lafia	The home of solid mineral
26	Niger	Minna	The power State
27	Ogun	Abeokuta	The Gateway State
28	Ondo	Akure	The sunshine state
29	Osun	Oshogbo	State of living spring
30	Oyo	Ibadan	The pace setter state
31	Plateau	Jos	Home of peace and tourism
32	Rivers	Port-Harcourt	Treasure base of the nation
33	Sokoto	Sokoto	Seat of the Caliphate
34	Taraba	Jalingo	Nature’s gift to the nation
35	Yobe	Damaturu	The young shall grow
36	Zamfara	Gusau	Home of Agric. Products
37	FCT	Abuja	Centre of unity

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.