Nigeria: A Country Profile

Capital: Abuja has been the capital of Nigeria since December 12, 1991. Previously, the capital
was Lagos.
Major Cities: According to preliminary results of the 2006 census and subsequent estimates, the
most populous cities in Nigeria are Lagos (about 8 million), Kano (3.8 million), Ibadan (2.6
million), Kaduna (1.7 million), Port Harcourt (1.3 million), and Benin City (1.1 million).
Independence: Nigeria achieved independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960.
Public Holidays: A national holiday commemorating independence is celebrated on October 1.
Other holidays are New Year's (January 1), Eid al Kabir (Feast of the Sacrifice-movable date
based on the Islamic calendar), Eid al Maulud (Birth of the Prophet-movable date based on the
Islamic calendar), Easter (movable date in March or April), Workers' Day (May 1), Eid al Fitr
(End of Ramadan-movable date based on the Islamic calendar), Christmas (December 25), and
Boxing Day (December 26).