Nigeria - Facts for Kids

Kwara State in Nigeria got its name from the word Kwara, which is a local name for the Niger River.

Lagos State in Nigeria got its name from Portuguese explorers who called it “Lagos” (which means “lakes”) because the area had so many lagoons and waterways!

Nasarawa State in Nigeria is named after the old Nassarawa Emirate (founded by Makama Dogo), and the name Nasarawa means “victorious” in Hausa!

Niger State in Nigeria is named after the Niger River. The river’s name probably comes from a Tuareg phrase meaning “river of rivers.”

Ogun State in Nigeria is named after the Ogun River, which flows through it!

Ondo State in Nigeria was named after the old Ondo Kingdom, and the word ‘Ondo’ means ‘settlers’ in Yoruba!

Osun State in Nigeria is named after the Osun River, which is named after Osun, the Yoruba goddess of love, beauty, and sweet water!

Oyo State in Nigeria was named after the powerful Old Oyo Empire, which ruled much of West Africa and was so strong that even enemies respected its warriors!

Plateau State in Nigeria got its name because it sits on the Jos Plateau, which is a high, flat area that’s always cool like a natural air conditioner!

Rivers State in Nigeria was named “Rivers” because it has more rivers flowing through it than almost any other state in the country!

Sokoto State in Nigeria got its name from the Arabic word “Suk” meaning “market,” because the Sokoto Sultanate was a major trading center!

Taraba State in Nigeria is named after the Taraba River, which flows through the state.

Yobe State in Nigeria was named after the Komadugu Yobe River that flows through it, providing water for farms in this dry region!

Zamfara State in Nigeria is named after the old Kingdom of Zamfara, not because “Zamfara” means ‘place of high fortress’ in a local language.

Sports & Games

Nigeria’s football team is called the Super Eagles, and they’ve won the African Cup of Nations three times!

Nigeria first competed in the Paralympics in 1992 and has won gold medals in powerlifting at multiple Games.

Chioma Ajunwa won gold in the long jump at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics — becoming the first Nigerian to win an individual Olympic gold medal and the first Black African woman to win gold in a field event.

Nigeria’s basketball team is called D’Tigers, and they’re one of the best in Africa!

The Lagos City Marathon is one of Africa’s biggest running events, held in Nigeria’s city of Lagos!

Fun & Interesting Facts

Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of yams, growing around 60 million tonnes each year!

The name ‘Nigeria’ comes from the Niger River, and it was first suggested by British journalist Flora Shaw in 1897!

There’s a traditional Nigerian martial art called “Dambe” that’s like boxing but with one wrapped fist!

Nigeria has one of the highest twin‑birth rates in the world — especially in the Yoruba area around Igbo‑Ora, where over 40 sets of twins per 1,000 births have been recorded.

The ancient city of Ile-Ife is considered the spiritual homeland of the Yoruba people!

Some Nigerian traffic officers use dance moves to direct traffic and make people smile!

Kokawa is a traditional wrestling style practiced by the Hausa in northern Nigeria.

Nigeria has 36 states plus one special Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), making 37 territories in total!

All of Nigeria’s 36 states have their own governor. Many states also have their own flag, emblem or slogan. Some have their own anthem too.