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The celebrations began overnight with a ceremony and fireworks in the capital, Abuja
The people of Nigeria - Africa's most populous country - have begun celebrations to mark 50 years since independence from the UK.
There have been firework displays in the capital, Abuja, while parades will be held later in major cities.
A BBC correspondent says the anniversary has prompted a raucous public debate over the state of the nation.
Nigeria is a major oil producer yet most people live in poverty.
</div> More than 200 different ethnic groups co-exist in an uneasy coalition and the scars of numerous coups and a civil war are still visible.
A former military leader, Yakubu Gowon, told the BBC that despite its faults and inner problems Nigeria was moving forward.
The BBC's Peter Okwoche in the capital, Abuja, says three hot air balloons are flying above Eagle Square, where a military parade, air force fly-past and address by President Goodluck Jonathan are planned shortly.
He says the square is filling up with soldiers and a few school children preparing for a march-past - and several African heads of state are expected at the event too.
In Lagos, the former capital where the handover from colonial rule took place 50 years ago, some buildings are draped in the green and white Nigerian flags.
But the BBC's Tomi Oladipo in Lagos says the usually bustling city is relatively quiet.
This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
The celebrations began overnight with a ceremony and fireworks in the capital, Abuja The people of Nigeria - Africa's most populous country - have begun celebrations to mark 50 years since independence from the UK.
There have been firework displays in the capital, Abuja, while parades will be held later in major cities.
A BBC correspondent says the anniversary has prompted a raucous public debate over the state of the nation.
Nigeria is a major oil producer yet most people live in poverty.
</div> More than 200 different ethnic groups co-exist in an uneasy coalition and the scars of numerous coups and a civil war are still visible.
A former military leader, Yakubu Gowon, told the BBC that despite its faults and inner problems Nigeria was moving forward.
The BBC's Peter Okwoche in the capital, Abuja, says three hot air balloons are flying above Eagle Square, where a military parade, air force fly-past and address by President Goodluck Jonathan are planned shortly.
He says the square is filling up with soldiers and a few school children preparing for a march-past - and several African heads of state are expected at the event too.
In Lagos, the former capital where the handover from colonial rule took place 50 years ago, some buildings are draped in the green and white Nigerian flags.
But the BBC's Tomi Oladipo in Lagos says the usually bustling city is relatively quiet.
This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.