Nigeria’s Top 10 Most Populous States in 2024
Nigeria’s Top 10 Most Populous States in 2024: A Comprehensive Overview
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and the seventh globally, boasts a dynamic demographic landscape with over 240 million people. This diverse population is spread across its 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, exhibiting variations in size and cultural richness. This article explores the top 10 most populated states in Nigeria as of 2024, shedding light on their distinctive features and societal contributions.

Table: Top 10 Most Populated States in Nigeria (2024)
State | Population in 2009 | Population in 2024 |
---|---|---|
Lagos State | 9,113,605 | 21 million |
Kano State | 9,401,288 | 14.3 million |
Katsina State | 5,801,584 | 9.3 million |
Kaduna State | 6,113,503 | 8.3 million |
Bauchi State | 4,653,066 | 7.5 million |
Oyo State | 5,580,894 | 7.5 million |
Rivers State | 5,198,716 | 7 million |
Jigawa State | 4,361,002 | 6.8 million |
Niger State | 3,954,772 | 6.2 million |
Ogun State | 3,751,140 | 5.9 million |
The Most Populated States in Nigeria in 2024
1. Lagos State
Lagos State, with an estimated population of 21 million, stands as the most populated state in Nigeria in 2024. Despite its small land area, Lagos is a vital economic hub, hosting major urban centers.
2. Kano State
Kano State, located in the north, is the second most populated state with around 14.3 million residents. Recognized for its significant contributions to agriculture and commerce.
3. Katsina State
In the third position, Katsina State in the north boasts an estimated population of 9.3 million, primarily thriving in the agricultural sector.
4. Kaduna State
Kaduna State, with a population of approximately 8.3 million, holds the fourth spot, celebrated for its diverse culture and rich history.
5. Bauchi State
Bauchi State, in the northeast, secures the fifth position with an estimated population of 7.5 million.
6. Oyo State
Oyo State, situated in the southwest, houses around 7.5 million residents, renowned for its rich cultural heritage.
7. Rivers State
Seventh on the list, Rivers State, with a population of approximately 7 million, stands as one of the wealthiest states due to its oil resources.
8. Jigawa State
Jigawa State in the north takes the eighth spot with a population of approximately 6.8 million, celebrated for its agricultural contributions.
9. Niger State
Ninth in line, Niger State, located in the north-central region, has an estimated population of 6.2 million, known for its diverse culture and rich history.
10. Ogun State
Ogun State, in the southwest, clinches the tenth position with a population of approximately 5.9 million, distinguished for its industrial estates.
11. Sokoto State
Sokoto State, located in the northwest, occupies the eleventh position with approximately 5.9 million residents, recognized for its historical significance in the spread of Islam.
12. Benue State
In twelfth place, Benue State, situated in the middle belt region, has a population of approximately 5.8 million and is famously known as the “food basket of the nation.”
13. Borno State
Borno State, despite facing challenges of insurgency, stands in the thirteenth position with a population of around 5.8 million, boasting a rich cultural heritage.
14. Anambra State
Fourteenth on the list, Anambra State in the southeast, has a population of approximately 5.6 million, known for its vibrant commercial activities.
15. Zamfara State
Zamfara State, situated in the northwest, secures the fifteenth spot with a population of approximately 5.3 million, celebrated for its mineral resources.
16. Delta State
Delta State, positioned in the south-south geopolitical zone, takes the sixteenth spot with around 5.3 million residents, being one of the oil-producing states.
17. Imo State
Seventeenth on the list, Imo State in the southeast, has a population of approximately 5.2 million, known for its rich cultural heritage.
18. Kebbi State
Kebbi State, located in the northwest, occupies the eighteenth position with a population of approximately 5 million, known for its agricultural productivity.
19. Ondo State
Ondo State in the southwest clinches the nineteenth position with a population of approximately 5 million, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage.
20. Akwa Ibom State
Twentieth on the list, Akwa Ibom State, situated in the south-south geopolitical zone, has a population of approximately 4.8 million, being one of the oil-producing states.
21. Adamawa State
Adamawa State, despite facing insurgency challenges, secures the twenty-first spot with a population of around 4.5 million, showcasing a rich cultural heritage.
22. Edo State
In the twenty-second position, Edo State in the south-south geopolitical zone has a population of approximately 4.5 million, known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance.
23. Plateau State
Plateau State, situated in the middle belt region, stands in the twenty-third position with a population of approximately 4.4 million, famed for its temperate climate and tourist attractions.
24. Enugu State
Enugu State, positioned in the southeast, takes the twenty-fourth spot with a population of approximately 4.4 million, known for its coal production.
25. Osun State
Osun State, in the southwest, clinches the twenty-fifth position with a population of approximately 4.2 million, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage.
26. Cross River State
Cross River State, located in the south-south geopolitical zone, secures the twenty-sixth spot with around 4.2 million residents, known for its tourist attractions.
27. Kogi State
Kogi State, in the middle belt region, takes the twenty-seventh position with a population of approximately 4.2 million, celebrated for its mineral resources.
28. Abia State
Abia State, situated in the southeast, secures the twenty-eighth spot with a population of approximately 3.8 million, known for its commercial activities.
29. Gombe State
Gombe State, located in the northeast, stands in the twenty-ninth position with a population of approximately 3.6 million, showcasing a rich cultural heritage despite insurgency challenges.
30. Yobe State
Yobe State, positioned in the northeast, takes the thirtieth spot with a population of approximately 3.4 million, showcasing a rich cultural heritage despite insurgency challenges.
31. Ekiti State
Ekiti State, located in the southwest, secures the thirty-first spot with around 3.4 million residents, known for its intellectual resources.
32. Taraba State
Taraba State, located in the northeast, takes the thirty-second position with a population of approximately 3.3 million, celebrated for its agricultural productivity.
33. Kwara State
In the thirty-third position, Kwara State in the middle belt region has a population of approximately 3.3 million, known for its rich cultural heritage.
34. Ebonyi State
Ebonyi State, situated in the southeast, secures the thirty-fourth spot with a population of approximately 3 million, known for its agricultural productivity.
35. Nasarawa State
Nasarawa State, located in the middle belt region, takes the thirty-fifth position with a population of approximately 2.6 million, celebrated for its mineral resources.
36. Bayelsa State
Bayelsa State, in the south-south geopolitical zone, stands in the thirty-sixth position with a population of approximately 2.4 million, being one of the oil-producing states.
Federal Capital Territory
The Federal Capital Territory, housing Abuja as its capital city, takes the final spot with a population of approximately 2.7 million.
The provided population figures offer a glimpse into the demographic distribution across Nigeria. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that these figures are estimates, and actual populations may vary. Nigeria’s diverse and expansive population contributes significantly to its cultural richness and economic potential.