Did You Know
Did You Know
Explore Hidden Facts About Nigeria
193
Nigerian high jumper and soldier Emmanuel Ifeajuna was the first black African to win a gold medal at a sporting event. He came first at the 1954 Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver.
194
Until 1904, cowry shells were used as currency in Nigeria.
195
Teslim Balogun was the first Nigerian footballer to be signed by a foreign club. He was signed by Petersborough United following the national team’s tour of England in 1949.
196
There is a town in Jamaica called Abeokuta. It was founded by former slaves from present-day Ogun State who were brought to a plantation in that part of Jamaica.
197
Eweka, the first Oba of the Benin Kingdom of present-day Edo State, was the son of the ooni (or ruler) of the Ife.
198
The city of Ife in Osun State is considered the spiritual home of the Yoruba people.
199
Nigeria's first president Nnamdi Azikiwe spoke Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo (the three major Nigerian languages).
200
Nsibidi, an ancient form of writing, originated in south-eastern Nigeria over 1000 years ago. It was specifically reserved for initiations into mystical societies.
201
Nigeria’s leaders considered renaming the country after the West African empire of Songhai after independence (Ghana and Mali, known the Gold Coast and French Sudan during the colonial era, were also named after West African empires).
202
The first Nigerian speaker of the Nigerian parliament prior to independence was Jaja Wachuku, an Ngwa royal prince and lawyer.
203
Paul McCartney of the Beatles recorded his solo album Band on the Run at a music studio on Wharf Road in Apapa, Lagos.
204
William Akinola Dawodu was the first Nigerian to import cars into the country. His business started in 1905 with a mechanic workshop, and he eventually became the sole agent for Firestone Tyres, Dodge, Charlotte and Reo Motors.
205
Zulu Sofola was Africa's first female Professor of Theatre Arts.
206
Rashidi Yekini scored Nigeria's first World Cup goal during a 3-0 victory over Bulgaria at USA 1994.
207
Scottish missionary Mary Slessor, famous for her work in Calabar, Cross River State, served as vice-president of the Ikot Obong native court.
208
The Gwari people of Northern Nigeria believe that the head is sacred, and therefore do not carry loads on their heads. Items are carried on the back of the neck.
209
Ruins of the Oyo Empire can be seen in the Old Oyo National Park.
210
The wearing of agbada (or riga) in Nigeria and other West African states dates back to the 16th century.
211
The Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State is the highest mountain range in Nigeria.
212
The Bantu migration - a massive migration of people across Africa about 2,000 years ago - is believed to have begun in southeast Nigeria.
213
The Niger Bridge (which connects Asaba in Delta State to Onitsha in Anambra State) takes over 100,000 vehicles a day during the peak holiday travel season.
214
Ladi Kwali is the first and only Nigerian woman to appear on a currency note. She is depicted on the back of the N20 note.
215
Nigerian-American basketball player Chinenye Ogwumike was the first pick in the 2014 WNBA draft. Her older sister Nneka was also the first pick in 2012, making them the only siblings aside from the Manning brothers to achieve this feat in American sport h
216
Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart has been translated into over 50 languages.
