The three largest ethnic groups are the Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa, together accounting for more than 70% of the population, while the Ebira, Fulɓe, Jukun, Kanuri, Igala, Nupe, Edo, Gbagyi, Tiv, Urhobo-Isoko, Idoma, Ijaw and Ibibio comprise between 25 and 30%; other minorities make up the remaining 5%.

The Nigerian National Anthem

"Arise, O Compatriots" is the national anthem of Nigeria. It was adopted in 1978, replacing the previous national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee".

The lyrics of the Nigerian National Anthem are a combination of words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest. The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict P. Odiase (1934–2013). The Nigerian national anthem lyrics were created by 5 people, namely; John A. Ilechukwu, B.A. Ogunnaike, P.O. Aderibigbe, Eme tim Akpan and Dr. Sota Omoigui.

The Lyrics of the Nigeria National Anthem in English

Part I

Arise, O Compatriots

Nigeria's call obey

To serve our fatherland

With love and strength and faith

The labour of our heroes past,

shall never be in vain

To serve with heart and might,

One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity

Part II

Oh God of creation,

Direct our noble cause

Guide our leaders right

Help our youth the truth to know

In love and honesty to grow

And living just and true

Great lofty heights attain

To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.

The Lyrics of the Nigeria National Anthem in Igbo

Part I

Bilie, ndị obodo

Oku Nigeria rube isi

Ijere ala nna anyị ozi

Site n'ịhụnanya na ume na okwukwe

Ọrụ ndị dike anyị gara aga,

agaghị abụ n'efu

Iji obi na ike jee ozi,

Otu mba ejikọtara na nnwere onwe, udo na ịdị n'otu

Part II

Chineke nke okike,

Duzie ebumnuche anyị dị mma

Na -eduzi ndị ndu anyị nke ọma

Nyere ndị ntorobịa anyị aka ịmata eziokwu

N'ịhụnanya na ịkwụwa aka ọtọ ka o too

Na ibi ndụ ziri ezi na eziokwu

Enweta oke oke oke

Iji wuo obodo ebe udo na ikpe ziri ezi ga -achị.

The Lyrics of the Nigeria National Anthem in Hausa

Part I

Tashi, Ya Yan Uwa

Kiran Najeriya yayi biyayya

Don yi wa ƙasar mahaifinmu hidima

Da soyayya da karfi da imani

Aikin jaruman mu na baya,

ba zai taba zama banza ba

Don yin hidima da zuciya da ƙarfi,

Al'umma ɗaya daure cikin 'yanci, zaman lafiya da haɗin kai

Part II

Ya Allah na halitta,

Ka shiryar da lamirinmu mai daraja

Ka shiryar da shugabannin mu daidai

Taimaka wa matasan mu gaskiya su sani

Cikin soyayya da gaskiya su girma

Kuma rayuwa mai adalci da gaskiya

Babban matsayi mai girma ya kai

Don gina ƙasa inda zaman lafiya da adalci za su yi sarauta.

The Lyrics of the Nigeria National Anthem in Yoruba

Part I

Dide, eyin Omo ilu

Ipe Nigeria gboran

Lati sin ile baba wa

Pẹlu ifẹ ati agbara ati igbagbọ

Iṣẹ awọn akọni wa ti kọja,

kì yóò jẹ́ lásán

Lati sin pẹlu ọkan ati agbara,

Orilẹ -ede kan ti a dè ni ominira, alaafia ati iṣọkan

Part II

Oluwa Ọlọrun ẹda,

Ṣe itọsọna idi ọlọla wa

Ṣe itọsọna awọn oludari wa ni ẹtọ

Ran awọn ọdọ wa lọwọ otitọ lati mọ

Ni ifẹ ati otitọ lati dagba

Ati gbigbe laaye ati otitọ

Awọn ibi giga giga giga de ọdọ

Lati kọ orilẹ -ede kan nibiti alaafia ati ododo yoo jọba.

National Pledge

The Nigerian pledge of allegiance written by Felicia Adebola Adeyoyin in 1976and is aimed at teaching every citizen of the country to honour and serve it in the best way possible. It is recited immediately after the playing of the Nigerian national anthem. 

I pledge to Nigeria my country

To be faithful, loyal and honest

To serve Nigeria with all my strength

To defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory

So help me God.