Did You Know
Did You Know
Explore Hidden Facts About Nigeria
97
Grace Alele-Williams was the first Nigerian woman to earn a doctorate. She earned a PhD in mathematics from the University of Chicago in 1963.
98
Actor Hugo Weaving (known for his roles in The Matrix trilogy and V for Vendetta) was born in Nigeria?
99
Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu, who served as the de facto Vice President during the military regime of General Babangida, was responsible for giving the Nigerian football team the nickname "The Super Eagles".
100
Until his death, the renowned artist Twins Seven was a UNESCO Artist for Peace.
101
On February 22, 2013 Dr Bello became the first Nollywood movie to be released in US cinemas.
102
The coctus spectabilis is the floral emblem of Nigeria. It is the flower featured on the country’s coat of arms, although in nature it is normally yellow in colour rather than red.
103
Until 1973, the Nigerian currency was the pound.
104
Nigeria unveiled what is believed to be the world's longest wrapper at the Abuja Carnival in November 2006. It measured 57 yards.
105
The number of vehicles in Nigeria went from 1.2 million in 1975 to approximately 8 million by 2003.
106
In 1974, Ayodele Awojobi became the first African to earn a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Imperal College, London.
107
The National Museum in Jos, Plateau State was the first public museum in Nigeria. It was set up by Bernard Fagg, a British historian who also first discovered the Nok terracotta sculptures.
108
Nigeria’s first female ministers, Janet Akinrinade and Adenike Ebun Oyagbola, were appointed in 1979.
109
Stephen Keshi is one of two men (the other being Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary) to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach.
110
Radio Kaduna is believed to have the largest listenership of all of sub-Saharan Africa’s radio stations.
111
The National Museum in Jos, Plateau State was the first public museum in Nigeria. It was set up by Bernard Fagg, a British historian who also first discovered the Nok terracotta sculptures.
112
Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos is the longest bridge in West Africa. It measures approximately 11.8 kilometres.
113
The first African to be president of the International Court of Justice was Taslim Elias, a Nigerian.
114
The Memorial Gates at London’s Hyde Park Corner (which commemorate soldiers from the Indian sub-continent, Africa and the Caribbean who fought for Britain in the two World Wars) feature a quote from Nigerian author Ben Okri. It reads: "Our Future is Great
115
Ngozi Okonjo Iweala was the first Nigerian woman to hold the positions of Finance Minister and Foreign Minister.
116
The oldest rock painting in Nigeria is the Birnin-Kudu Rock Painting in Jigawa State.
117
The first faculty of law set up in Nigeria was the Sapara Williams College of Law of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. It was established in 1961.
118
Nigeria is home to seven national parks: the largest – Gashaka-Gumti – is located in Adamawa and Taraba states.
119
Flora Nwapa was the first African woman to be published internationally in English with her novel Efuru (1966).
120
The first set of octuplets on record was born on December 20, 1998 in Houston, Texas to a Nigerian couple.
