This Is My Country
🇳🇬 My country Nigeria
Greetings to all readers! I'm excited to share my very first post in this amazing community, and I hope it draws you in as you journey through my country — Nigeria — a land of vibrant cultures, youthful energy, and unmatched resilience. No quizzes, no riddles — just the beauty of home, told the way I’ve experienced it.
| The Undeniable Beauty of Nigeria |
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When people talk about Africa, Nigeria always stands out, and it’s not for nothing. Nigeria is a country where you can't get enough of nature. From the rolling hills and cooler weather of Jos Plateau to the warm coastal breeze of Lagos beaches, nature speaks fluently in this land.
If you take a trip to the Obudu Mountain Resort in Cross River, you’ll find clouds looking like pillows. Then drive to Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi, and you’ll meet elephants and hippopotamuses in their natural homes. Even Aso Rock in Abuja, where power resides, is not just a political center but a stunning view to behold.
But the beauty of Nigeria isn’t just about landscapes — it’s the warmth in people’s greetings, the chatter in local markets, the colors of gele and agbada on Sundays. From Kano’s ancient walls to Calabar’s vibrant carnivals, Nigeria’s beauty lives in its people and their stories.
| A Culture That Refuses to Fade |
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We have over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, and that means every few kilometers you travel, the culture changes — new food, new language, new dances.
The Yoruba people of the Southwest celebrate Eyo festivals and wear white attires like spirits dancing through Lagos Island. The Igbos, mostly in the Southeast, are known for their masquerade performances and New Yam Festivals that honor harvests and ancestors. The Hausa-Fulani people of the North uphold traditions through Durbar festivals, where horse riders in flowing garments honor emirs and history with colourful pageantry.
Even the smaller groups like the Ijaw, Tiv, and Nupe hold on tightly to their oral traditions, dress styles, and values. No matter where you land in Nigeria, the language of culture will greet you first before anything else.
| Our Naira, Our Pride |
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The Nigerian currency — the Naira — is more than just paper. It’s a storybook of our heroes and symbols. From Obafemi Awolowo’s glasses on the ₦100 note to the national assembly dome on the ₦50, every note reflects our journey.
Even during the recent Naira redesign and cash scarcity period of 2023, Nigerians still respected the Naira. You would see people waiting at banks for hours, refusing to trade it for foreign currency. It’s not just money — it’s trust, identity, and resilience.
| Our Food Baskets and Cultural Feasts |
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Nigeria is a land of bounty. From the farms of Jigawa to the yam fields of Benue, food flows like a blessing. Did you know Nigeria produces some of the largest watermelons in the world? You’ll see truckloads of them heading to Lagos every harvest season.
And our yams? Ebonyi and other states produce yams so large, foreigners think we use a special type of fertilizers. These yams are not just for the market — they are celebrated during the annual Iri ji (New Yam) festival, which still draws huge crowds in the East.
| Benin’s Ancient Hands Still Moulding the Future |
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If you ever visit Benin City, you’ll find artists still practicing the ancient craft of bronze casting. These aren’t just old stories from textbooks — real-life sculptors are using the same methods from centuries ago to create royal figures and historical emblems.
In 2023, after long diplomatic efforts, Nigeria finally received back some of the stolen Benin Bronzes from European museums. That return wasn’t just historical — it was emotional. It reminded the world that our past is still alive and valued.
| Our Population, Our Power |
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Our greatest strength doesn't lie in our oil or gold, but it lies in the people. With over 200 million citizens, we are the most populous Black nation on Earth. But what’s more interesting is that over 60% of us are under the age of 25.
That means the future is young — and already happening. Nigerian youths are reshaping global music with Afrobeats, dominating YouTube and TikTok with skits, building fintech startups, and even shaking governments. The #EndSARS movement and youth climate protests in 2022–2023 are proof that this generation isn’t here to watch — we’re here to lead.
| The South-South: Beyond Oil, into Culture |
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Akwa Ibom and Cross River are known as oil-rich states, but those who know, know that culture flows even deeper than crude. Akwa Ibom’s Ekpe society and Ibibio traditional masquerades preserve values through dance and symbolism. Their food — Afang, Editan, Atama — tells a story of land and love passed through generations.
Cross River’s Calabar Carnival is no small event. It attracts tourists from Europe, America, and the Caribbean to mention a few. The colors, the floats, the dance troupes — it’s more than celebration, it’s an identity parade.
| Natural Resources and Untapped Riches |
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We’re not just oil-rich. Nigeria is full of untapped potential:
Gold in Zamfara and Osun
Tin in Plateau
Coal in Enugu
Limestone in Ogun and Gombe
And let’s not forget our cocoa from Ondo, palm oil from Delta, and groundnut pyramids from Kano. Agriculture, if fully embraced, can still become Nigeria’s biggest export.
| Our Festivals Are Our Heartbeat |
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Nigerian festivals are the heartbeat of our social calendar:
The Calabar Carnival in December (the biggest street party in Africa)
The Durbar Festival in the North, which is full of horses and shows the country's great heritage
Osun-Osogbo Festival, a spiritual celebration that draws worshippers and tourists alike.
These festivals are not just for fun — they are history in motion.
| What’s Nigeria Without Her Food? |
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From Jollof rice wars to the peppered goat meat in owambe parties, food is our shared language. In the North, there’s tuwo and miyan kuka. In the South-South, you’ll find fisherman soup and pounded yam. In Lagos, it’s amala and ewedu or just hot puff-puff on the roadside.
Food in Nigeria connects people — from roadside buka spots to wedding buffets.
| What Sets Nigeria Apart |
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Our Spirit – We laugh through tears and find light even in the darkest times.
Our Languages – Over 500 dialects spoken, many still passed down orally.
Our Sounds – From Wizkid and Burna Boy to Fela and Tiwa Savage, our music is the world’s rhythm.
Our Hustle – From tech hubs in Lagos to farmers in Iseyin, Nigerians will always find a way to survive and succeed.
| Final Thoughts — My Country, My Voice |
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Nigeria isn’t perfect, but it’s ours. It’s colorful, noisy, full of drama and energy — but also full of potential, joy, and love. From city stress to village peace, we carry our stories proudly.
So yes, this is my country. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Drop your thoughts — what do you love most about Nigeria (or your country)? Let’s hear your voice.
I invite @imohmitch @promisezella @us-andrew to participate in this contest
CC,
@luisito01
https://x.com/Samuel62685837/status/1944095733239451953?t=6d1xj4mAObsRZYE7CUcAOw&s=19
Curated by: @ashkhan