FACTS ABOUT NIGERIA

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country. Located in West of Africa, she gained her independence from the British government on October 1, 1960. The present government follows the presidential system, with executive, legislative and judiciary branches of government. A new constitution was adopted in 1999. The current president and vice president of the Republic of Nigeria are His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo and His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, respectively. The Nigerian population was estimated at 137,253,133 in 2004, reaching over 500 thousand square miles, two and a half times the size of California, USA. There are 36 states in Nigeria, with Abuja as her Federal Capital. Nigeria is very diverse, with more than 250 ethnic groups and 4000 known dialects. Nigeria has approximately 25 federal, 22 private, and 24 state government universities. There are more than 18 million students in schools at all levels. The country adopted a 6-3-3-4 education policy in 1982. The policy requires six years of primary (elementary) education, a two tier (3 year junior, 3 year senior) secondary education and four years of university education.

Welcome to Yola, Nigeria (Home of AUN)

The term ‘Yola’ was derived from a Fulfulde word ‘Yolde’ which means a knoll or an elevated surface. The tranquil and beautiful city of Yola is the capital of Adamawa State, one of Nigeria’s 36 states. Yola is located in the northeastern part of Nigeria, a port on the Benue River. It was established in 1841 as the capital of Fulani state. The estimated population in 2004 was 88,500. Yola is the administrative center of Adamawa, Nigeria. The traditional township is the Lamido’s domain. Yola is really a pair of “twin” cities, consisting of the traditional Yola Township and the cosmopolitan Jimeta metropolis. It is a largely agrarian economy as farming, fishing, livestock production and trading are the mainstays of the people’s lives. The climatic zone in Yola is characterized by an alternating hot rainy season and a cool dry season.

 

Adamawa (formerly known as Gongola State until 1991)

Yola was founded by Modibbo Adama, a foremost Muslim Cleric. The name Adamawa is an elongation of Modibbo’s surname – Adama. The current governor of Adamawa state is Boni Haruna, elected in 1999. The prominent ethnic groups are Chamba, Hggi, Longuda, Bwatiye and Fulani. Also present are the Marghi, Kilba, Bura Fali, Kanakuru, Yungur and Mbula.

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