Nigeria is a country on the west coast of Africa. Today, over 200 million people live there. That makes it the most populated country in all of Africa. But for many years, Nigeria was not free. Britain had taken control in the 1800s. British leaders made the rules and took resources from the land. The Nigerian people wanted to govern themselves. Leaders like Nnamdi Azikiwe worked for years to make it happen. They gave speeches and organized protests. They demanded the right to choose their own leaders. On October 1, 1960, their dream came true. Britain handed over control. A new green and white flag was raised. Crowds filled the streets of Lagos, the biggest city. Drums played and people danced all night. Azikiwe became one of the country's first leaders. Today, Nigeria is known for many things. It has thick tropical forests and wide grasslands. Lagos is one of the largest cities in the world. Nigerian music, movies, and food are enjoyed around the globe. Every October 1, Nigerians celebrate Independence Day with parades and festivals.