Top 10 Most Populated States in Nigeria [2023/2024]

Nigeria is the most populated black nation on earth, and that is why it is called the Giant of the nation, we all know that every country is made up of states, and a country with a large population is going to contain different states with different populations. what are the most populated states in Nigeria? In this article today we are going to look at the top 10 most populated states in Nigeria.

Top 10 most populated states in Nigeria [2023/2024]

1. Kano State

Kano State is the second most populated state in this country, According to the national census done in 2006, Kano State is the most populous in Nigeria. The recent official estimates taken in 2016 by the National Bureau of Statistics found that Kano State was still the largest state by population in Nigeria and also is a state with the most local government.

Kano State is the second largest industrial center in Nigeria and the largest in Northern Nigeria with textile, tanning, footwear, cosmetics, plastics, enamelware, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, furniture, and other industries.

Presently Kano State has a total population of 21,000,000, the state’s capital and largest city is the city of Kano, the number one most populous city in Nigeria

2. Lagos State

Lagos state is number one on the list of the top 10 most populated states in Nigeria, is a state in southwestern Nigeria, Of the 36 states, it is both the most populous and smallest in the area and there is hardly any Nigerian who haven’t heard of the name Lagos, Lagos is the most popular place in Nigeria and also the most populated state in the country this year.

In 2019 it was recorded during the census that Lagos State had a total population of 12,772,884 people. Lagos State this year currently had a population of 20,000,000 which generates the highest internal revenue in the country.

3. Kastina State

In 1988, Katsina was a part of Kaduna State but they were later separated by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida when he created new states during his time in office.

Presidents like the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and serving President Muhammad Buhari are all from this state, this is one of the major Muslim states in the country right now.

With a total population of about 9,300,382 people, Katina stands as the 3rd most populated state in the country.

4. Kaduna State

Kaduna State is a state in northern Nigeria. The state capital is its namesake, the city of Kaduna which happened to be the 4th largest city in the country as of 2023. Created in 1967 as North-Central State.

Kaduna has become a major industrial, commercial, and financial center for the northern states of Nigeria. It has a branch of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Most industries are grouped south of the Kaduna River near the main railway junction.

The current population of Kaduna is 8,324,285

5. Bauchi State

Bauchi is the seventh on this list of the top 10 most populated states in Nigeria, the state is actually considered as a poor state.

Bauchi state is known for its arts and crafts which include beautiful embroidered caps and gowns (known as babbanriga), fiber craft, and decorated calabashes. It is also very versatile in the production of metal works (such as weaponry), agricultural tools, pottery, and leather works.

With a total pollution of  7,540,663, Bauchi State is one of the most populated states in Nigeria.

6. Oyo State

Oyo State is the capital of Ibadan, the 4th most populous city in the country and formerly the second most populous city in Africa. Noted for being the site of the first university in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan, founded in 1948. The state economy remains largely agrarian, with the western city of Shaki being described as the state’s breadbasket.

Oyo State is bordered to the north by Kwara State, to the east by Osun State, and the southwest by Ogun State and the Republic of Benin. With a projected population of 7,512,855 in 2019, Oyo is the 6th most populous in Nigeria.

7. Rivers State

Rivers is a state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria. Formed in 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, this state is filled with several natural resources and several oil companies.

Rivers State is well known for its capital city ‘Port Harcourt’. This city is one of the most popular cities in Nigeria, and it is the commerce hub of the State. The 2016 census recorded that Rivers State had a total population of 5.1 million people.

However, recent surveys have revealed that the number has grown to 7,303,924. With such a huge population, Rivers State stands as the 7th most populated state in Nigeria.

8. Jigawa State

Jigawa State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria, located in the northern region of the country. Created on August 27, 1991, under General Ibrahim Babangida who announced the creation of nine additional states in the country bringing the total number of states then to thirty. Jigawa is a core northern state, the state is dominated by the Hausa and Fulani people.

However, some other ethnic groups are not well known. Jigawa was recorded with a total of 6,779,080

9. Niger State

Niger is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria and the largest state in the country by area. The state is named after the River Niger. Two of Nigeria’s major hydroelectric power stations, the Kainji Dam and Shiroro Dam, are located in Niger State, along with the new Zungeru Dam. The Jebba Dam straddles the border of Niger state and Kwara state. The famous Gurara Falls is in Niger State, and Gurara Local Government Area is named after the Gurara River, on whose course the fall is situated.

With a projected population of 6,220,617 in 2019, Niger State is one of the most populated states in Nigeria.

10. Ogun State

The last on the list is Benue state, Benue state is one of the beautiful states in Nigeria with a deep history.

Ogun State is a state in southwestern Nigeria. Created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. Ogun State borders Lagos State to the south, Oyo State and Osun State to the north, Ondo State to the east, and the Republic of Benin to the west.

With a projected population of 5,945,275 in 2019, Ogun State is one of the most populated states in Nigeria.

Top 10 most populated states in Nigeria [2023/2024]

Rank	State	Population
1	Kano State	21,000,000
2	Lagos State	20,000,000
3	Kastina State	9,300,382
4	Kaduna State	8,324,285
5	Bauchi State	7,540,663
6	Oyo State	7,512,855
7	Rivers State	7,034,973
8	Jigawa State	6,779,080
9	Niger State	6,220,617
10	Ogun State	5,945,275

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