There are 36 states in Nigeria and every state is unique in its own way. However, some states rank higher than others when it comes to certain metrics.
In this post, we have compiled a list of the top 10 best states to live-in in Nigeria, in terms of crime rate and the quality of life in these states.
10 Best States to Live In, In Nigeria
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Benue State
Benue State is located in the North Central geographical zone. The state is known as the food basket of the nation. According to the crime statistics, only 0.87% of crimes in Nigeria happen in this state. It is not plagued by ethnic, political or religious strives like many other Nigerian states.
Benue serves as a home for many different ethnic groups, which makes its culture incredibly diverse. The state’s abundance of mineral and agricultural resources, as well as its geographical position, makes it an attractive destination for many entrepreneurs.
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Kaduna State
Kaduna is another beautiful state located in the North Central zone. The motto of the state is Centre of Learning. Kaduna is one of the safest states in the country with only 0.8% of all crimes in Nigeria.
The state is a hub of educational institutions which include the likes of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the popular Nigerian Defence Academy.
Kaduna is the third largest state in the country and home to diverse tribes, which makes it a hub of unity and community.
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Edo State
Edo State is known as the heartbeat of Nigeria. It is one of the states in the country with an interesting history and one of the best states to live in.
The state has very strong agricultural and industrial sectors. It is also a centre of tourism and one of the states with a small percentage of crimes (0.8%).
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Kwara State
Kwara State is one of the major states in the North Central zone in Nigeria. With only 0.78% crime rate, it is one of the safest places in Nigeria. The state also has well-developed infrastructure and it is home to many reputable universities and educational institutions.
Ilorin is one of the safest places in Kwara and it is also the capital city. Although Ilorin is inhabited by mostly Muslims, there is a relative harmony with Christian with adherents of both religions cohabiting peacefully. The best 5 places to live in Ilorin are Ilorin GRA, Gaaakanbi, Adewole Estate, Tanke and Ganmo.
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Kogi State
Kogi State is known as the Confluence state and with 0.63% crime rate it is one of the safest states to live in.
The state is also an excellent tourist destination because it’s capital city, Lokoja is where the great rivers, Niger and Benue meet. Some of the beautiful places to live in Kogi include Lokoja Confluence Stadium, Lord Lugard’s Rest House, Mount Patti and Late Atta of Ebira Palace
Kogi is also developed in terms of infrastructure and there are several reputable industries in the state. The state is also known for its booming agricultural sector.
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Jigawa State
Jigawa State, has a 0.51% crime rate. As the state is fairly homogenous (most of its citizens are Hausa Muslims), it sees little to no ethnic conflicts. Apart from that, it has beautiful nature and lots of tourist locations.
Some of the beautiful places to visit in Jigawa include Birnin Kudu Rock Paintings, Emir of Dutse Palace, Baturiya Bird Sanctuary, Dutse International Airport, and the Wawan Rafi Resort.
Jigawa shares an international border with the Republic of Niger, which is a unique opportunity for cross-border trading activities. Also, the state is blessed with mineral resources including kaolin, tourmaline, amethyst, marlstones, potash, solice, iron ore, copper, gold, white quartz, refractory clay, and antimony.
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Zamfara State
With its 0.38% crime rate, Zamfara State is certainly one of the safest places to live in Nigeria. The state is home of many different ethnicities and tribes and the main occupation of its citizens is agriculture.
Some of the interesting places to visit in Zamfara include the National Gallery of Art, Kwiambana Forest Reserve, and Jifatu Shopping Mall.
The state is known for its warm tropical climate which makes the weather enjoyable hence a beautiful place to live in.
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Abia State
Created in 1991, Abia state has grown to become one of the best states in the country with reference to harnessing its available resources and abundant tourism potentials.
Some of the tourism potentials of the state include the Long Juju of Arochukwu, the Azumini Blue River, and the National War Museum.
The state has a crime rate of 0.29%. It has a well-developed industrial sector which includes its oil and gas industry, agriculture, commerce and education.
One of the major towns in Abia state is Aba which is the commercial capital of the state. Some of the best places to live in Aba are Umungasi Ekenna, Okpulo Umuoba and Umuojima.
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Katsina State
Located in the Northwest, Katsina State is known as the Home of Hospitality. It is officially the safest state in the country with an estimated 0.1 percent of all crimes in the country happening in the state.
Katsina State was created from the old Kaduna State in 1987. The largest ethnic group in Katsina are the Hausa people however, there are reputable churches in the state include the Roman Catholic Church and the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
If you live in Katsina, some of the interesting places to live include the Emir of Katsina Palace, Emir of Daura Palace and the Karkanda Stadium.
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Abuja
Abuja is the only city in Nigeria that was planned prior to being developed. Although the city doesn’t have a low crime rate like the aforementioned states, the extensive development in the state make it’s the number one on our list.
Abuja is well-developed in terms of road network and infrastructure. This is partly due to the fact that it is the seat of Power of the country. It is also a key capital on the African continent due to Nigeria’s geo-political influence in regional affairs.