Population of Nigeria by States (2024 Estimate)

According to the latest UN estimates as of June 30, 2018, the population of Nigeria is estimated at 196 million people.

But the National Population Commission places this figure a bit higher at 198 million people based on reports from April 2018. The report by the NPC also indicates that the urban population is growing at an average of 6.5 per cent per year.

In this post, we will use the latest official figure which is the 2006 census figures to show the population of Nigeria by states. The census took place over a decade ago so it is expected that population in these states must have exceeded these figures however, this can still give us an idea of the most populated and least populated states in the country.

Population of Nigeria (State by State)

Here’s an overview of the states and their population.

Kano State | 9,401,288

The population of Kano state is over 9.4 million which makes it officially the most populated state in the country and this figure is approximately 2% of the total Nigeria population.

Lagos State | 9,013,534

Although, the population of Lagos state is put at an estimated 9 million people, the figure has since doubled over the last decade with unofficial estimates around 20 million.

Kaduna state | 6,066,562

Kaduna is the third most populated state according to the 2006 census figures. The state is located in the North Central part of Nigeria. It was created on the 27^th of May 1967.

Katsina state | 5,792,578

Katsina state has a population of over 5.7 million residents. The state was created on the 23^rd of September 1987.

Oyo state | 5,591,589

Oyo state is one of the largest states in the South West. The state has a population of 5.5 million residents.

Rivers state | 5,185,400

Rivers state is one of the oil-producing states of the country. the state is has a population of 5.18 million.

Bauchi state | 4,676,465

Bauchi is one of the states in the North East. It has an estimated population of 4.6 million.

Jigawa State | 4,348,649

Jigawa is a North Central state that was created in 1991. The state has a population of 4.3 million residents according to the 2006 population census.

Benue State | 4,219,244

Benue is one of the Middle Belt states. The state is known as the Food Basket of Nation. It has a population of 4.2 million residents based on the 2006 census figures.

Anambra State | 4,182,032

Anambra is one of the South Eastern states. The state has a population of 4.18 million according to the census figures of 2006.

Borno State | 4,151,193

Borno is a northeastern state. The state is quite popular due to the Boko Haram insurgency. The population census of 2006 puts the population of the state at 4.15 million.

Delta state | 4,098,391

Delta is another major oil-producing states. It has a population that is a little over 4 million according to the 2006 census figures.

Niger state | 3,950,249

Niger state has a population of 3.9 million according to the 2006 population census.

Imo state | 3,934,899

Imo state is one of the southeastern states and the state was reported to have a population of 3.93 million according to the 2006 population census.

Akwa Ibom state |3,920,208

Akwa Ibom was created from Cross River state and the state has a population of 3.92 million according to the 2006 population census.

Ogun state|3,728,098

Ogun state is one of the popular states in the South West. Some parts of the state make up the Lagos metropolis. According to the 2006 census, the population of Ogun state is put at 3.7 million people.

Sokoto state | 3,696,999

Sokoto state is one of the Northern states. It has a population of 3.6 million residents.

Ondo state | 3,441,024

Ondo is another one of the thirty-six states in the country. It has a population of 3.41 million residents.

Osun state | 3,423,535

Osun was created from Oyo state. The state has a population of 3.42 million residents.

Kogi state | 3,278,487

Kogi state is one of the Northcentral states. The state has a population estimated at 3.2 million according to the population figure of 2006.

Zamfara state | 3,259,846

Zamfara is a Northern state with a population of 3.2 million residents.

Enugu state | 3,257,298

Also known as the Coal City, Enugu is one of the South Eastern states with a population of 3.2 million residents according to the 2006 population census.

Kebbi state | 3,238,628

Kebbi state has a population of 3.23 million residents.

Edo state | 3,218,332

According to the 2006 population census, the population of Edo state is 3.21 million residents.

Plateau state | 3,178,712

Plateau state is located in the North Central part of the country.  the state has a population of 3.17 million people according to the 2006 population census.

Adamawa state | 3,168,101

Adamawa state is located in the northeastern part of Nigeria. The state has a population of 3.16 million people according to the 2006 population census.

Cross River State | 2,888,966

Cross River is known for the Calabar carnival which takes place in Calabar, the capital city. The city is also adjudged to be the cleanest in the country. According to the 2006 population census, the state has a population of 2.88 million people.

Abia State | 2,833,999

Abia is located in the South East. The state has a population of 2.8 million people according to the 2006 census figures.

Ekiti State | 2,384,212

Ekiti state is one of the South-western states. It was created from Ondo. The state has a population of 2.38 million people.

• Kwara State | 2,371,089
• Gombe State | 2,353,879
• Yobe State | 2,321,591
• Taraba State | 2,300,736
• Ebonyi State | 2,173,501
• Nasarawa State | 1,863,275
• Bayelsa State | 1,703,358

Also, we have the Federal Capital Territory with an estimated population of 1,405,201 as of 2006.