[5][6] Nigeria is also one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, with approximately 218.5 million people[7] in an area of 923,768 km2 (356,669 sq mi).

[1][a] Nigeria is home to 371 ethnic groups speaking over 500 languages[1] and the variety of customs and traditions among them gives the country great cultural diversity.

[1][10][11][12] The Ijaw, Efik, Ibibio, Annang, Ogoni, Tiv, Urhobo-Isoko, Edo and Itsekiri are some of the other sizeable ethnic groups.

Persons of different ethnic backgrounds most commonly communicate in English, although knowledge of two or more Nigerian languages is widespread.

[25] The federal government has not elected to implement the type of controversial family planning programs that have reduced population growth of other developing nations, a result of low political support for these programs and a cultural preference for large families as well as high levels of social instability.

Rising educational levels and health care improvements may enable future parents to plan for smaller families.

Over the last 50 years, Nigeria's urban population has grown at an average annual growth rate of more than 6.5% without commensurate increases in social amenities and infrastructure."

[43] Life expectancy from 1950 to 2015 (UN World Population Prospects):[44] Today millions of ethnic Nigerians live abroad, the largest communities can be found in the United Kingdom (500,000–3,000,000)[47] and the United States (600,000–1,000,000 Nigerians), other countries that followed closely are South Africa, Gambia, and Canada respectively.

[48] Inspiration for emigration is based heavily on socio-economical issues such as warfare, insecurity, economical instability and civil unrest.

Though bondage represented a great deal, an estimated 30,000 Nigerian inhabitants would relocate to Kano City and Gambia to take advantage of financial opportunities afforded by fertile land and available natural resources.

[55] The shift of population balance between Muslims and Christians is a result of northern and southern Nigeria being in different stages of demographic transition.

Decreasing fertility can be linked to more access to education, use of contraceptives, and differing beliefs regarding family planning.