Why Nigeria Is Referred to as the Giant of Africa

A Giant is defined as something or somebody unusually large or powerful. We are called the giant of Africa. And many people including myself have wondered why we are referred to as the giant of Africa.
Nigeria is easily the populous nation in Africa. Our population is presently over 150 million with Ethiopia coming a distant second at 83million.
Nigeria is country with divers and enormous mineral resources like crude oil, coal, zinc, semi-precious stone and gold to name but a few. We are endowed with great human resources as well. Our history parade big names such, RT. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubarka Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolo. People who in more than one way left an impact on the African continent and the world.
Nigeria is one African country that has played many major roles in peace keeping all over the Africa and the world. A clear is example was the role played by Nigeria in the restoration of peace and stability in Liberia and sierra Leon. General Sani Abacha called in the Nigeria’s enormous military might and restored a democratic government when a certain army Major Jonny Paul Koroma toppled the government of President Tijani Kabba of Sierra Leon.
Nigeria has used it enormous military might to ensure stability in the ecowas region.
Since independence in 1960, civilian and military governments alike have played a prominent role on a host of issues. These have included the struggle against apartheid, demands for a permanent seat for Africa at the UN Security Council, reparations from the US, Britain and others for the Slave Trade and, more recently, leading peace-keeping initiatives in regional trouble spots like Liberia and Sierra Leone
Nigeria has a thriving movie industry known as noollywood. Noollywood has been ranked as third largest movie market. Nigeria has the largest commercial market in West Africa. The Onitsha main market is second to none in West Africa.
Nigeria’s Nigcomsat-1 was the sub-Saharan Africa’s first communications satellite and the only African communications satellite that provided the strongest and best footprint across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
With a strong democratic institution, strong, disciplined and efficient armed forces, thriving stock market, a stable banking sector, a strong economy projected to grow at more than 7% this year, a population determined to survived despite all odds, Nigeria is truly a giant in every sense of the word.
It is said that when the going gets tough, only the gets going. Nigeria has been through turbulent times. A civil war, coups and counter coups, civil unrests and religious riots but as the giant that we are, we survived it all as one united strong nation under God. Indeed, a giant is a person or a nation of extraordinary powers and Nigeria falls under this category. The giant is matching on and ahead.