🇳🇬, TWN NEWS Special: Nigeria's 65th Independence Anniversary Quiz

Happy 65th Independence Day to Nigeria! October 1st, 2025

Test your knowledge with these 65 questions about Nigerian history, politics, culture, and geography.

The Road to Independence & Early Republic (Questions 1-15)

1. In what year did Nigeria gain full independence from Britain?

**Answer:** 1960

2. What is the date of Nigeria's Independence Day?

**Answer:** October 1st

3. Who was the last British Governor-General of Nigeria?

**Answer:** Sir James Robertson

4. Who was Nigeria’s first Prime Minister?

**Answer:** Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

5. Who was the first President of Nigeria when it became a republic in 1963?

**Answer:** Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe

6. The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates occurred in which year?

**Answer:** 1914

7. Who coined the name "Nigeria"?

**Answer:** Flora Shaw (later Lady Lugard)

8. The 1960 Independence Constitution established what system of government?

**Answer:** Parliamentary (Westminster model)

9. Which Nigerian political party was led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the First Republic?

**Answer:** Action Group (AG)

10. The first military coup in Nigeria took place in which year?

**Answer:** 1966

11. Who was Nigeria's first military Head of State?

**Answer:** Major General J. T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi

12. The Nigerian Civil War (Biafran War) was fought between which years?

**Answer:** 1967–1970

13. Which former Nigerian leader introduced the Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme in 1976?

**Answer:** General Olusegun Obasanjo

14. Nigeria's motto is:

**Answer:** Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress

15. Nigeria became a republic in what year?

**Answer:** 1963

Government and Political History (Questions 16-30)

16. How many regions was Nigeria divided into at independence in 1960?

**Answer:** Three (Northern, Western, and Eastern)

17. How many states does Nigeria currently have?

**Answer:** 36

18. What is the name of Nigeria's legislative arm of government?

**Answer:** National Assembly

19. Nigeria's National Assembly is bicameral, comprising the **________** and the **________**.

**Answer:** Senate and the House of Representatives

20. Who was Nigeria's first executive President in the Second Republic (1979-1983)?

**Answer:** Alhaji Shehu Shagari

21. On what date is Democracy Day now celebrated in Nigeria?

**Answer:** June 12

22. What is the minimum age requirement to run for the office of the President of Nigeria?

**Answer:** 40 years

23. Who was the first elected President after the return to civil rule in 1999?

**Answer:** Olusegun Obasanjo

24. What is the main objective of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) established in 1973?

**Answer:** To promote unity and national integration among Nigerian youths.

25. The transition of the capital from Lagos to Abuja was initiated under which military regime?

**Answer:** General Murtala Muhammed's regime

26. What does the acronym ECOWAS stand for?

**Answer:** Economic Community of West African States

27. Who heads the Nigerian Judiciary?

**Answer:** The Chief Justice of Nigeria

28. What is the name of the Presidential residence in Abuja?

**Answer:** Aso Rock Villa

29. Who was the military leader that annulled the June 12, 1993, presidential election?

**Answer:** General Ibrahim Babangida

30. The current democratic dispensation (Fourth Republic) began in what year?

**Answer:** 1999

Geography and Natural Resources (Questions 31-45)

31. What is the current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria?

**Answer:** Abuja

32. Which river is Nigeria named after?

**Answer:** River Niger

33. Which country borders Nigeria to the west?

**Answer:** Benin Republic

34. Which country borders Nigeria to the east?

**Answer:** Cameroon

35. What is Nigeria's highest point?

**Answer:** Chappal Waddi (in Taraba State)

36. Nigeria is the largest producer of what in Africa?

**Answer:** Crude oil

37. What is the name of the major river that joins the River Niger to form the famous confluence?

**Answer:** River Benue

38. In which state is the Kainji Dam located?

**Answer:** Niger State

39. What is the name of the large body of water that forms Nigeria’s southern coast?

**Answer:** Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea)

40. Nigeria is the most populous country in **________**.

**Answer:** Africa

41. Which region of Nigeria is known for its major port city of Port Harcourt?

**Answer:** South-South

42. What is the official currency of Nigeria?

**Answer:** Naira (₦)

43. What is the smallest state in Nigeria by land mass?

**Answer:** Lagos State

44. Which Nigerian city is often referred to as the 'Centre of Excellence'?

**Answer:** Lagos

45. Apart from crude oil, name one other major natural resource found in Nigeria.

**Answer:** Tin, Columbite, Iron Ore, Coal, Natural Gas, etc.

Culture, Arts, and Society (Questions 46-65)

46. What is the name of the Nigerian film industry?

**Answer:** Nollywood

47. Which Nigerian city is considered the birthplace of Afrobeat music?

**Answer:** Lagos

48. Who is widely regarded as the 'King of Afrobeat'?

**Answer:** Fela Anikulapo Kuti

49. What are the two official colours of the Nigerian flag?

**Answer:** Green and White

50. What does the Green colour on the Nigerian flag represent?

**Answer:** Agriculture and natural wealth

51. What does the White colour on the Nigerian flag represent?

**Answer:** Peace and unity

52. The national animal emblem on Nigeria’s Coat of Arms is the **________**.

**Answer:** Eagle

53. What does the red eagle on the Nigerian Coat of Arms depict?

**Answer:** Strength

54. What are the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria?

**Answer:** Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba

55. What is Nigeria's official language?

**Answer:** English Language

56. Which ancient Nigerian civilization is famous for its terra-cotta sculptures, dating back over 2,000 years?

**Answer:** Nok culture

57. Who is the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1986)?

**Answer:** Wole Soyinka

58. Nigeria's indigenous music style, Fuji, originated with the **________** people.

**Answer:** Yoruba

59. What is the dominant religion in the Northern part of Nigeria?

**Answer:** Islam

60. What is the dominant religion in the Southern part of Nigeria?

**Answer:** Christianity

61. The city of Benin (Edo State) is historically famous for its production of what kind of art?

**Answer:** Bronze casting (Benin Bronzes)

62. Which famous Nigerian novelist wrote the novel *Things Fall Apart*?

**Answer:** Chinua Achebe

63. What is the name of the annual Nigerian festival, often held in Lagos, that showcases Nigerian arts and culture?

**Answer:** FESTAC (Festival of Arts and Culture) or Calabar Carnival/Durbar

64. The traditional ruling house of the Yoruba people is based in which ancient city?

**Answer:** Ile-Ife

65. What does the black shield in the Nigerian Coat of Arms represent?

**Answer:** The fertile soil of Nigeria