Border history · 1914–2023

Nigeria borders over time

CShapes records 2 changes to the borders of Nigeria between 1914 and 2023. It has been independent since October 1, 1960. Its territory covers 908,496 km², more than the 862,504 km² it covered in 1914. The largest single change came on October 1, 1961, when it gained about 45,992 km².

Open full mapAll countries
Border changes
2
Area today
908,496 km²
Largest change
+45,992 km² (1961)
Status
Independent since 1960
October 1, 1961 – presentChoose a period to see its borders. The dashed line is the period before.

Timeline of Nigeria's borders

Each period is one border version in CShapes, with its area and the change from the period before.

  1. January 1, 1914 – September 30, 1960

    862,504 km²First recorded versionRuled by United KingdomWorld map in 1914

  2. October 1, 1960 – September 30, 1961

    862,504 km²±0 km²IndependentWorld map in 1961

  3. October 1, 1961 – present

    908,496 km²+45,992 km²IndependentWorld map in 1962

What changed

Independence, transfers between rulers, and border changes recorded for this country.

  1. Nigeria appears as a territory of United Kingdom.
  2. Nigeria becomes independent from United Kingdom.
  3. Nigeria gains about 45,992 km² of territory.