Ni·ge·ri·a [ nī jree ə ]country in West Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea, south of Niger. It became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1960. Languages: English. Currency: naira. Capital: Abuja. Population: 149,229,090 (2009 estimate).
Area: 923,768 sq km (356,669 sq mi) Official name Federal Republic of Nigeria