Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation with estimated figures putting the country’s population at around 200 million people. There are 36 states in Nigeria and each of these states has a varying number of people resident in it. Due to factors like migration and birth rate, it is not possible for Nigeria’s population to be evenly distributed across these 36 states.
So this means that a state can be more populated than others. Going by this, which state has the highest population in Nigeria? This article is written to answer this question in a detailed approach.
Which State Has the Highest Population in Nigeria?
Lagos state, as of 2022, has the highest population in Nigeria with 21 million people (based on recent survey data documented by the United Nations).
Lagos is the most popular place in the whole of Nigeria and it is located in the southwestern part of the country. There’s hardly anyone in Nigeria that doesn’t know Lagos – even if they haven’t been there, they have heard the name before. Outside Nigeria as well, Lagos state is the most recognized place for visitors and immigrants.
In the 2006 national census, it was recorded that Lagos State had a total population of 7,682,953 Million people. However, this figure was in variance with the population figure captured by the Lagos State government.
In 2012, the Lagos State government recorded the state’s population to be more than 16 million people. In 2016, a national census was to be held but was canceled due to the state of the Nigerian economy then. So after the last population figures recorded by the Lagos State government, there have been no official figures from the Nigerian Population Commission about the state’s population to date.
Lagos State is the commercial capital of Nigeria as the state attracts the most local and foreign investments. Among the 36 states in Nigeria, it’s the state that generates the highest internal revenue and this is evident in the state’s GDP. Lagos State’s capital is Ikeja and the current governor of the state is Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
What draw people from within Nigeria and around Africa to Lagos State is based on how the state has been a land of opportunities. For the educated and uneducated, skilled and unskilled, young and middle-aged, etc., there’s always something to do in Lagos to earn a living.
This is why as of 2022, recent survey data the UN collated has indicated that the population of Lagos State has risen above 21 million people, and this positions the state as the most populous in Nigeria.
Based on the same recent survey data documented by the United Nations, below are some of the other populated states in Nigeria:
- Kano State (16 million)
- Oyo State (15 million)
- Kaduna State (12 million)
- Rivers State (11 million)
- Katsina State (10 million)
- Bauchi State (9 million)
- Anambra State (8.3 million)
- Jigawa State (8 million)
- Benue State (7.8 million)
Which state has the least population in Nigeria?
Bayelsa state is the least populated state in Nigeria. Though situated in the oil-rich region of the Niger Delta, the state only has a population of less than 2 million people – this is still based on 2006 population census data.
Which state in Nigeria has the highest land mass?
Niger State has the highest land mass in Nigeria. The state occupies an area of 76,363 square kilometers. Niger State occupy a landmass slightly lesser than the combined land mass of the five southwestern states (79,665 square kilometers) in Nigeria. Also, the state occupies two-and-a-half times the combined land mass of southeastern states (29,525 square kilometers) in Nigeria.
Which state is the most beautiful state in Nigeria?
Abuja is the most beautiful state in Nigeria – though Abuja is always referred to as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It’s the capital city of Nigeria.
Conclusion
With a population of more than 21 million people, according to United Nations’ recent documented data, Lagos State has the highest population among the 36 states of Nigeria. Lagos is the most popular state and also the commercial capital of Nigeria. It’s the state that attracts the most local and foreign investments. What draws people from within Nigeria and around Africa to Lagos State is based on how the state has been a land of opportunities.