Tag: Nigeria

In a devastating incident in Nigeria’s north-central Niger state, a boat carrying residents of Dugga village capsized, resulting in at least eight fatalities and dozens still missing.

The passengers were en route to neighboring Kebbi state for business purposes, intending to sell grain and sugar cane.

The Niger state Emergency Management Agency reported that the accident claimed the lives of five women and three men, with ten individuals rescued.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing. Boat accidents have been a recurring issue in Nigeria, with over 1,200 lives lost between 2018 and 2023, attributed to overcrowding, lack of life jackets, and inadequate maintenance.

Nigeria, with its 36 states and one federal capital territory, each further divided into 774 local government areas, holds immense economic potential.

Evans Osabuohien, an Economics Professor at Covenant University, shares valuable perspectives on how these states can contribute to Nigeria’s economic prowess, promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Nigeria’s Vast Landscape: A Closer Look at the Top 10 Largest States

With a population approaching 200 million, Nigeria stands as Africa’s most populous nation. Exploring the diversity within its vast expanse, here’s a glimpse into the ten largest states in Nigeria, accompanied by key facts that shed light on their significance in the nation’s economic landscape.

Kebbi State – 36,800 km²

Date created: 27 August 1991

Capital: Birnin Kebbi

Total area: 36,800 km²

Kebbi State is bordered by Sokoto State, Niger State, Zamfara State, Dosso Region in the Republic of Niger and the nation of Benin. It has 21 Local Government Areas.

They include: Aleiro, Arewa Dandi, Argungu, Augie, Bagudo, Birnin Kebbi, Bunza, Dandi, Fakai, Gwandu, Jega, Kalgo, Koko/Besse, Maiyama, Ngaski, Sakaba, Shanga, Suru, Danko/Wasagu, Yauri, Zuru.

Kebbi is the tenth largest state in the region and the 22nd most populous, with an estimated population of 4.4 million people in 2016. It is known as the “Equity Land.”

9. Kwara State – 36,825 km²

Date created: 27 May 1967

Capital: Ilorin

Total area: 36,825 km²

Kwara is located within the North Central geopolitical zone, commonly referred to as the Middle Belt. It has 16 Local Government Areas. They include Asa, Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Ilorin West, Irepodun, Isin, Kaiama, Moro, Offa, Oke Ero, Oyun, and Pategi.

Kwara is the sixth-least populous state, with an estimated population of 3.2 million people in 2016.

Geographically, it is divided into two ecoregions: the West Sudanian savanna to the east and the Guinean forest-savanna mosaic ecoregion to the west.

8. Adamawa State – 36,917 km²

Date created: 27 August 1991

Capital: Yola

Total area: 36,917 km²

The Borno borders Adamawa State on the northwest, Gombe on the west, and Taraba on the southwest. Its eastern border forms the national eastern border with Cameroon. It has 21 Local Government Areas.

They include: Demsa, Fufore, Ganye, Girei, Gombi, Guyuk, Hong, Jada, Lamurde, Madagali, Maiha, Mayo-Belwa, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South, Numan, Shelleng, Song, Toungo, Yola North, and Yola South.

Adamawa is the thirteenth least populated in population, with an estimated 4.25 million residents as of 2016. It also has a diverse religious community, with roughly 55% Sunni Muslims, 30% Christians, and 15% followers of traditional ethnic religions.

7. Zamfara State – 39,762 km²

Date created: 1 October 1996

Capital: Gusau

Total area: 39,762 km²

Zamfara is a state in northwestern Nigeria with a predominantly Hausa and Fulani population. It has fourteen Local Government Areas.

They include: Anka, Bakura, Birnin Magaji/Kiyaw, Bukkuyum, Bungudu, Tsafe, Gummi, Gusau, Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Maru, Shinkafi, Talata Mafara, and Zurmi.

It has a population of 9,278,873, according to the 2006 census.

The state’s primary industries and main sources of revenue are agriculture and gold mining. More than 80% of the population works in agriculture.

6. Yobe State – 45,502 km²

Date created: 27 August 1991

Capital: Damaturu

Total area: 45,502 km² Yobe State borders four states: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Jigawa State.

In addition, it borders the Diffa Region and the Zinder Region to the north of the Republic of Niger.

It has seventeen Local Government Areas. They include: Bade, Bursari, Damaturu, Geidam, Gujba, Gulani, Fika, Fune, Jakusko, Karasuwa, Machina, Nangere, Nguru, Potiskum, Tarmuwa, Yunusari, and Yusufari. Yobe is a state that is both rich in mineral reserves like gypsum and kaolin and is also an agricultural state.

Groundnuts, beans, cotton, gum arabic, and gum arabic are among the state’s agricultural products.

5. Bauchi State – 45,893 km²

Date created: 3 February 1976

Capital: Bauchi

Total area: 45,893 km²

The state is bordered by seven states: Kano and Jigawa on the north, Taraba and Plateau on the south, Gombe and Yobe on the east, and Kaduna on the west. It has twenty Local Government Areas.

They include: Bauchi, Tafawa Balewa, Dass, Toro, Bogoro, Ningi, Warji, Ganjuwa, Kirfi, Alkaleri, Darazo, Misau, Giade, Shira, Jama’are, Katagum, Itas/Gadau, Zaki, Gamawa, and Damban.

According to 2016 estimates, the population of Bauchi State was over 6,530,000, making it the ninth most populous country. Livestock and crops like tomatoes, yams, cotton, groundnuts, and millet are a part of its economy.

4. Kaduna State – 46,053 km²

Date created: 27 May 1967

Capital: Kaduna

Total area: 46,053 km² Kaduna State is a state in northern Nigeria.

It is the third most populous state in the country, with numerous educational institutions of importance, such as Ahmadu Bello University. It has twenty-three Local Government Areas.

They include: Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Ikara, Jaba, Jema’a, Kachia, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Kagarko, Kajuru, Kaura, Kauru, Kubau, Kudan, Lere, Makarfi, Sabon Gari, Sanga, Soba, Zangon Kataf, and Zaria.

3. Taraba State – 54,473 km²

Date created: 27 August 1991

Capital: Jalingo

Total area: 54,473 km² Taraba State is bordered in the west by Nasarawa State and Benue State, in the northwest by Plateau State, in the north by Bauchi State and Gombe State, in the northeast by Adamawa State, in the east and south by Cameroon.

It has sixteen Local Government Areas. They include: Ardo Kola, Bali, Donga, Gashaka, Gassol, Ibi, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Kurmi, Lau, Sardauna, Takum, Ussa, Wukari, Yorro, and Zing.

2. Borno State – 70,898 km²

Date created: 3 February 1976

Capital: Maiduguri

Total area: 70,898 km²

Borno is the second biggest state in Nigeria. It has twenty-seven Local Government Areas.

They include: Maiduguri, Ngala, Kala/Balge, Mafa, Konduga, Bama, Jere, Dikwa, Askira/Uba, Bayo, Biu, Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza, Hawul, Kwaya Kusar, Shani, Abadam, Gubio, Guzamala, Kaga, Kukawa, Magumeri, Marte, Mobbar, Monguno, and Nganzai.

As of 2016, the state’s population was predicted to be 5.86 million, making it the ninth most populated state. In Borno State, many people practise Islam, and an equal number practise Christianity and other religions.

1. Niger State – 76,363 km²

Date created: 3 February 1976

Capital: Minna

Total area: 76,363 km²

In the expansive landscape of Nigeria, the title of the largest state is claimed by Niger State, situated in the country’s north-central region. The state is organized into three political zones, denoted as A, B, and C, and encompasses a total of twenty-five Local Government Areas.

These Local Government Areas are diverse, including Agaie, Agwara, Bida, Borgu, Bosso, Chanchaga, Edati, Gbako, Gurara, Katcha, Kontagora, Lapai, Lavun, Magama, Mariga, Mashegu, Mokwa, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Rijau, Shiroro, Suleja, Tafa, and Wushishi.

In a conversation with Evans Osabuohien, an Economics Professor at Covenant University and an esteemed researcher, the importance of judiciously utilizing land as an economic resource in Niger State was underscored. Professor Osabuohien emphasized that effective land use is pivotal for the state’s prosperity.

Contrary to the assumption that a larger landmass guarantees greater economic productivity, Professor Osabuohien pointed out that size alone does not determine economic success. Drawing a comparison with Lagos State, the smallest in the country yet economically potent, he highlighted that many of the top ten largest states in terms of landmass do not feature prominently among the top states in GDP or economic empowerment.

The Nigerian government has unveiled a plan to distribute $1.5 billion (£1.2 billion) in cash to support 15 million vulnerable households.

This initiative aims to ease the impact of soaring prices for essential items such as food, fuel, and commodities.

Under this program, each eligible household will receive $32 in cash over a three-month period starting this month, as stated by the Finance Minister. The specific commencement date, however, was not provided during the press conference held in the capital, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The government estimates that these vulnerable households encompass approximately 62 million Nigerians, out of a total population exceeding 200 million.

Initially, the scheme was announced in July with the intention to provide $10 to each of the 12 million households. However, this drew public criticism, with many expressing concerns that the amount was insufficient.

In response to these concerns, President Bola Tinubu introduced a revised plan during the Independence Day celebrations earlier this month.

Nonetheless, questions persist regarding the criteria for eligibility and the selection process for households.

The economic challenges faced by many Nigerians stem from the removal of fuel subsidies by the government in May, coinciding with Mr. Tinubu’s assumption of office.

According to Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, approximately 63% of Nigerians are classified as “multidimensionally poor,” experiencing various forms of deprivation.