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What is the capital of Nigeria?

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The capital of Nigeria is Abuja

Abuja is a purpose-built planned city in the centre of Nigeria, chosen for its position at roughly the geographic midpoint of the country.

Abuja is the capital and seat of government of Nigeria, a role it has held since 1991. Nigeria itself has an estimated population of 237,527,782 (2025).

Abuja is not the largest city in Nigeria. That is Lagos, which makes Nigeria one of the countries whose capital is not their biggest city.

Abuja at a glance

City population1,693,400 (2022 estimate)
Metropolitan area4,025,000 (2022 estimate)
Country🇳🇬 Nigeria
Capital since1991
Largest city in NigeriaLagos
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (WAT)
CurrencyNigerian naira (NGN)

About Abuja

Abuja has been the capital of Nigeria since 1991, Abuja replaced Lagos as Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991; its central, ethnically neutral location was chosen to symbolise national unity.

Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, was the capital until the purpose-built Abuja replaced it in 1991.

Abuja is far from Nigeria's largest city; that is Lagos, the coastal megacity it replaced as the capital.

It was one of the fastest-growing cities in the world in the decades after it became the capital.

City facts sourced from Wikipedia: Abuja.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Nigeria?
The capital of Nigeria is Abuja.
Is Abuja the largest city in Nigeria?
No. The capital of Nigeria is Abuja, but the largest city is Lagos. Lagos was the capital until 1991, when Nigeria moved the capital to the centrally located, purpose-built city of Abuja. Lagos is still the largest city by a very wide margin.
What is the population of Abuja?
Abuja has a population of about 1,693,400 (2022 estimate), while its wider metropolitan area is home to around 4,025,000.
Where is Abuja located?
Abuja is a purpose-built planned city in the centre of Nigeria, chosen for its position at roughly the geographic midpoint of the country.
When did Abuja become the capital of Nigeria?
Abuja has been the capital of Nigeria since 1991, Abuja replaced Lagos as Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991; its central, ethnically neutral location was chosen to symbolise national unity.
What was the capital of Nigeria before Abuja?
Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, was the capital until the purpose-built Abuja replaced it in 1991.
What time zone is Abuja in?
Abuja uses UTC+01:00 (WAT).
What currency is used in Abuja?
Abuja, like the rest of Nigeria, uses the Nigerian naira (NGN, symbol ₦).

Capitals of neighbouring countries

Capital of BeninCapital of CameroonCapital of ChadCapital of Niger

See the full profile of Nigeria on its country page, or browse every capital city.

Capital and country data from open datasets; city and metropolitan populations are hand-curated per city and cited where they are shown. Populations of countries come from the World Bank (SP.POP.TOTL). Full sources and vintage on the data page. Last updated . Report a correction.