The Nigerian state remains the most populous country in Africa and accounts for about 18 percent of the Africa’s total population.
Since the 1950’s, Nigeria has continued witnessed increase in population in Nigeria. According to the 2006 population census last conducted in the country which revealed Nigeria’s total population of 140,431,790 with Kano has the largest state in Nigeria. Nigerian women were outnumbered by men where males recorded 71,345,488 males and 69,086,302 females
The United Nations estimates that Nigeria’s population by 2100 will be between 505 million and 1.03 billion people. “Nigeria has been one of the highest growth and fertility rates in the world and thus undergoing explosive population, United Nations revealed.”
It went further to explain that Nigeria is one of eight countries between 2005-2050 to account for half of the world’s total population.
On world rankings, Nigeria has grown to be the 7th most populated country in the world. This year, Nigeria’s population is projected to increase by 5,055,552 people and come 2018, Nigeria would have a population of 194 million since the number of birth exceeds death rate.
The population Reference Bureau also noted that by 2050, Nigeria’s estimated population will be about 397 million people.
Nigeria’s 2017 population statistics as at May 13, 2017 reveals 191,713,440 while United Nations projected a population of 191,835,936 come July, 2017
The next national population census is scheduled to hold come 2018, two years after its due date with the National population census needing about N222bn to successfully conduct the exercise
Here is the estimated population distribution in different states according to T.I.N magazine since the last national census did not hold.
1. Lagos
Population: 21 million
Since the 2012 census which placed Lagos as the second most populated state though this met a lot of frowning and was later disputed by the Nigerian Government and judged unreliable.
The latest reports estimate the population at 21,642,797, making Lagos the most populated in Nigeria. Lagos State has been officially recognised as the second fastest-growing city in Africa and the seventh in the world.
2. Kano
Population: 16 million
The state which ranked first in the 2006 population census with a total population of 9,383,682 has an estimate of 16 million thus, now second most populated in Nigeria. This huge figure can be traced to the large influx of the Hausa speaking people in most Northern states
3. Oyo
Population: 15million
The pacesetter state, Ọyọ, an inland state in south-western Nigeria, with its capital at Ibadan has an estimate of 15million. This is partly due to her neighbouring states; Republic of Benin, Kwara State, Osun State, and Ogun State
In 2007, the population of Oyo state was estimated at 6,617,720 by the state government. But recent estimates revealed the state now has about 14,993,752 as the total population.
4. Kaduna
Population: 12 million
Kaduna State is located in North central Nigeria, and has recently been politically classified as belonging to the ‘North – West’ zone of the current six (6) Geo – political zones of Nigeria.
The estimated population of Kaduna State is 12million and the reason is not far-fetched. The state boasts of about 59 to 63 different ethnic groups if not more though the 2006 national census saw the state have about 6,066,562
5. Rivers
Population: 11 million
According to census data released in 2006, Rivers state has a population of 5,185,400, ranking as the sixth-most populous state in the country.
Rivers state’s capital , Port Harcourt , is among the largest city in Nigeria and remains economically significant to our foreign earnings
Rivers State is home to many indigenous ethnic groups like Ikwerre, Etche, Ogba, Ogoni , Ibani, Opobo, Kalabari, Eleme, Okrika, Engenni, Obolo, among others
The recent estimate claims the state now has 10,652,844 as the total population a little above the 2016 census result
6. Katsina
Population: 10 million
Katsina State is situated in North West zone of Nigeria. It also boasts of the Hausa speaking people like Kano state. This Hausa people (sometimes grouped with the Fulani as Hausa-Fulani) undoubtedly are the largest ethnic group.
Though the population of Katsina was at 5,792,578 in 2006, the current recent estimate claims the state now has 10,102,813 as the total population.
7. Bauchi
Population: 9million
Bauchi, is a state in northern Nigeria. Its capital is the city of Bauchi. The recent estimates claim the state now has 9,052,784 as the total population while 2016 estimates puts the state’s population around 9 million
8. Anambra
Population: 8million
Anambra is a state in south eastern Nigeria with an indigenous ethnic group- Igbos. This state is blessed with big commercial and industrial cities; Onitsha and Nnewi respectively and that accounts for the influx of people in this state
The recent estimates claims the state now has 8,352,911 as the total population as against a population of 4,055,048 according to the 2006 Nigerian census.
9. Jigawa
Population: 8million
The socio-cultural situation in Jigawa State could be described as homogeneous: it is mostly populated by Hausa/Fulani, who can be found in all parts of the State.
With a population of 4,348,649 according to the 2006 Nigerian census, the recent estimates claim the state now has 8,109,251 as the total population.
10. Benue
Population: 8million
Benue State is a state in the mid-belt region of Nigeria with a population of about 4,253,641 in 2006 census. Recent estimates claim the state now has 7,992,784 as the total population.
For other states not included in the above, the 2006 census result will be used
Rank State Population
11 Borno State 4,151,193
12 Delta State 4,098,391
13 Niger State 3,950,249
14 Imo State 3,934,899
15 Akwa Ibom State 3,920,208
16 Ogun State 3,728,098
17 Sokoto State 3,696,999
18 Ondo State 3,441,024
19 Osun State 3,423,535
20 Kogi State 3,278,487
21 Zamfara State 3,259,846
22 Enugu State 3,257,298
23 Kebbi State 3,238,628
24 Edo State 3,218,332
25 Plateau State 3,178,712
26 Adamawa State 3,168,101
27 Cross River State 2,888,966
28 Abia State 2,833,999
29 Ekiti State 2,384,212
30 Kwara State 2,371,089
31 Gombe State 2,353,879
32 Yobe State 2,321,591
33 Taraba State 2,300,736
34 Ebonyi State 2,173,501
35 Nasarawa State 1,863,275
36 Bayelsa State 1,703,358
– Federal Capital Territory 1,405,201