Facts you need to know about Nigeria

 

To keep you informed and involved with the constantly updating facts and statistics of our dearly beloved nation, Nigeria, fondly called The Giant of Africa, here are three (3) facts from the most recent surveys you need to know!

 

At Least 14.3 Million Nigerians Into Drug Abuse – EU Report 

Nigeria has the highest number of drug abusers compared to European countries with individuals ranging from the ages of 15-64. One in every four is a woman.

The National Drug Survey Use released the report in Abuja on Tuesday which showed that the number of drug users in Nigeria is higher than the entire population of some European countries.

According to statistics, these individuals are mainly between 15 and 64 years of age. One in every four them is also a woman.

The survey was conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Centre for Research and Information on Substance Abuse (CRISA)and was funded by the European Union. The report showed that close to three million of the drug users are drug dependent and cannot access help due to lack of health facilities. Following this report, drug control experts have urged the authorities to improve on drug control policies in the country.

The Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire who spoke at  the public presentaion of the report said drug use in Nigeria has become a public health challenge. He thanked UNODC and EU for supporting the Nigerian government to conduct the survey and emphasized the benefits of having statistically proven data on the levels and approach to drug use to inform and guide policy formulation and implementation.

He also mentioned that the result of the survey has provided the government with the necessary to design an implementation of effective prevention, treatment and corrective care services that are evidence-based for abusers.

According to him, the services will bring on a decline, the need for drugs and prevent the morbidity and mortality attributed to drug use in Nigeria.

The question is, WILL THEY PUT IT TO USE? as the services will bring on a decline, the need for drugs, drug use and prevent its causal effects in Nigeria.

 

Nigeria Has 11 Million Stunted Children- UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says Nigeria has the 2nd highest number of children with stunted growth in the world, with over 11 million children under the age of five.

At a two-day workshop on nutrition and comprehensive dietary diversification held on Tuesday in Kano, Annefrida Kisesa, the Chief Field Services and Operations, UNICEF, made the remark. The workshop, as reported by NAN, was organised by the fund in collaboration with Kano Emirate Council Committee on Health and Human Development for district and village heads from Bichi and Sumaila Local Government Areas of the state.

“Kano is the most populous state in Nigeria with 13.5 million people including 810,000 children aged six to 23 months. Stunting affects more than half (58%) of under five in Kano state,” Mrs Kisesa said. She also explained that stunting was caused by poor infant feeding which would be battled if greater investment in nutrition is ensured, so that all children would enjoy better health and nutrition state.

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Nigeria’s Population now 198,857,858 – World Population Review

The estimate of Nigeria’s population as of January 31st,  2019 is: 198,857,858.

Nigeria, popularly known as The  Federal Republic of Nigeria has 36 states with Abuja as its capital. She has over five hundred different ethnic groups, many different languages, and declared her independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960.

Her population in 2016 was estimated to be over 178.5 million people although United Nations have projected the population to be about 186 million. It however,  is about 2.35% of the entire earth’s population. That  means that about 1 out of every 43 people in the world are natives of Nigeria.

It should however be noted that these estimates by the Nigeria National Bureau of Statistics consider the lasting effects of the very high death rate due to the pervasive AIDS epidemic in the country.

Nigeria’s total surface area is approximately 923,768 square kilometers. Together with the close to 200 million person population, the density of the country is around 212.04 individuals per sq km. The country also has the highest population of any African Nation which bagged her the name, GIANT OF AFRICA with most of her population residing in its south and south-western region.

Nigeria Population Clock

The population of Nigeria (as of 1/31/2019)?	198,869,017
Last UN Estimate (July 1, 2019)	200,962,417
Births Per Day	20,508
Deaths Per Day	6,388
Net Migrations Per Day	-164
Net Change Per Day	13,956
Population Change Since January 1st	432,636

Her population has a net Increase of 1 person every 6 seconds.