When you consider the fact that the last population census was in 2006, you may start to think that there is no accurate figure on the current population of Nigeria.
But thanks to the likes of the National Population Commission and the United Nations, we are able to know the current estimated population of the country.
In this post, we will take a look at these estimated figures as well as that of the population census of 2006.
What is the Current Population of Nigeria?
According to the latest UN estimates as of June 30, 2018, the population of Nigeria was estimated at 196 million people. However, 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.
Based on the population census of 2006, we’ve provided the population figures of each of the states that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- 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 was pegg at an estimated 9 million during the last census, the figure has since doubled over the last decade with unofficial estimates in excess of 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 27th 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 23rd 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 state. 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.
28 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.
The population of states like Kwara, Gombe, Yobe, Taraba, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Bayelsa and the Federal Capital Territory has been highlighted below:
- 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
- Federal Capital Territory | 1,405,201