What is the capital city of Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa?

Introduction / Context:
Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and an important economic and cultural power on the continent. Knowing the capital city of Nigeria is a key part of modern geography and current affairs. Many people associate Nigeria with its largest city and commercial hub, but the political capital is located elsewhere. This question asks you to identify the official capital city of Nigeria from several options that include capitals of other countries and well known cities.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The country in question is Nigeria.
• The options are Monaco, Abuja, Podgorica, None of the above and Lagos.
• The capital should be the official administrative centre recognised by the Nigerian government.
• Some choices are capitals of other countries, and Lagos is Nigeria's largest city.
• We use current internationally accepted information on capital cities.

Concept / Approach:
The official capital city of Nigeria is Abuja. It is a planned city located in the centre of the country, chosen to provide a neutral, centrally situated capital. Before Abuja, Lagos served as the capital and remains the largest city and major economic hub. Monaco is both a country and a city state in Europe. Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro. None of the above is incorrect because Abuja is present in the list and is the correct capital. Recognising the difference between a former capital and a current capital is crucial for selecting the right answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Nigeria relocated its capital from Lagos to Abuja to achieve a more central and planned capital city.Step 2: Identify Abuja in the answer choices as a Nigerian city associated with government and administration.Step 3: Recognise that Monaco is a European microstate and not part of Nigeria.Step 4: Recognise that Podgorica is in Montenegro and unrelated to West Africa.Step 5: Understand that Lagos is a Nigerian city but serves as a commercial and population centre, not as the official capital.Step 6: Conclude that Abuja is the correct and current capital city of Nigeria.

Verification / Alternative check:
When you consult modern atlases or online resources, they list Abuja as Nigeria's capital. Government buildings such as the Presidential Complex, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court are located in Abuja. International conferences and diplomatic missions reference Abuja as the official seat of government. Lagos is often mentioned in business and cultural contexts, but these references make clear that it is not the present capital. Monaco and Podgorica consistently appear as capitals of their own respective countries. All of this confirms that Abuja is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Monaco is both a city and a country in Europe and has no connection to Nigeria's capital status.
• Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro in Europe, not of Nigeria.
• None of the above is wrong because Abuja, the correct capital, is one of the choices.
• Lagos is Nigeria's largest city and former capital but is now the commercial centre rather than the official capital.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners mistakenly choose Lagos because it is better known internationally and used to be the capital. Examiners often include Lagos among the options specifically to test awareness of the change to Abuja. Another pitfall is not recognising that cities like Monaco and Podgorica are capitals of other small countries. To avoid errors, remember the pair Abuja equals capital and Lagos equals largest city for Nigeria. Having this distinction clearly in mind will help with questions where former and current capitals differ.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Abuja, which is the official capital city of Nigeria.