I have always wondered why Americans call their country the motherland, while we Nigerians refer to our own country as the fatherland. Is there any significance to these nomenclatures?

No significance

Fatherland is germanic in nature, a lot of nigerian cultures have that influence.

IMO, i guess its because U.S likened their country 2 a woman. Motherland cos it symbolizes all dat a woman or better still a mother stands 4 in terms of caring n love. She could go extra miles 2 do anything jst 2 save ha child/children cos she is sacrifial. Besides, gender discrimination is not as loud as it is in Africa, Nigeria in particular. On d oda hand, Nigerians respects d qualities males possess in terms of strength n vigour. Nigerians believe women r seen as weaker vessels n wouldnt b used 2 represent what a country shd stand 4. Dats my opinion.