Nigeria is endowed with lots of natural potential. This distinguishes the country as the leading African giant. Meanwhile, the country couldn’t have amassed great wealth without the backbone of its States. Within Nigeria, there are 36 independent States with a single Federal Capital Territory [Abuja]. Therefore, this article is centered on the richest states in Nigeria for today. Besides, it is always controversial when discussions are held about the richest States in Nigeria. However, economic yardsticks such as per capita income [which measures the standard of living] and (GDP) Gross Domestic Product [which measures the entire volume of production] have made it possible to ascertain the richest Nigerian States.

Are you a Nigerian seeking to know where your State sits on the country’s wealth ladder? If yes, read on to find out which state is the Richest Nigerian States Today.

Top 20 Richest Nigerian States

1. Lagos State

It is never a surprise that Lagos State is Nigeria’s richest state. Considering its magnificent transformation into a megacity, Lagos State comprises the best infrastructural facilities Nigeria boasts of.

Situated in the South-Western zone of the country, Lagos State has a meagre landmass stretching up to 3, 577 square kilometers. Despite its small landmass, Lagos State remains the most populous Nigerian State with its total population estimated at 18 million inhabitants. Significantly, Lagos State is Nigeria’s major centre for commercial activities. Likewise, the State boasts of the best economic standards within the country. In that case, it stands at $4,333 for its per capita level while a total of $33.679 billion is recorded for its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

2. Rivers State

Rivers State is situated in the South-Southern zone of the country. Significantly, the second richest state in Nigeria just behind Lagos. Like several other states within its zone, Rivers State is meagre in a population with a total of 5.2 million people who are found in it.

Rivers yields enormous returns particularly as it serves as Nigeria’s largest deposit of crude oil –accounting for over 60% of the country’s entire volume of crude oil. Meanwhile, it is majorly endowed with vast deposits of crude oil and natural gas.

Based on its economic standards, Rivers State has a per capita level estimated at $3, 965 while its total GDP accounts for $21.073 billion. As regards its landmass, Rivers State is one of Nigeria’s small states and it extends across 11, 077 square kilometers.

3. Delta State

Delta State, also from the South-Southern zone of the country.  Just like Rivers, Delta State makes up a meagre population of 4.1 million people out of Nigeria’s entire population. In the aspect of landmass, the State fairly stretches up to 17, 689 square kilometers.

Quite impressively, Delta is one of the Southern States with the largest deposits of natural endowments such as industrial clay, silica, limestone, lignite, kaolin, tar sand, and lots more. In the aspect of economic standards, Delta State has a total of $3, 990 as its per capita level coupled with $16.749 billion as total GDP.

4. Oyo State

Oyo State is situated in Nigeria’s South-Western zone and happens to be the fourth richest Nigerian State in that zone, making up a fair population of 6 million people out of Nigeria’s entire population. Likewise, it boasts of a large landmass that accounts for 28, 454 square kilometers.

The State is highly distinguished as one of the South-Western States which embrace agriculture. In this regard, the State houses lots of agricultural produce including maize, yam, cocoa, cassava, cashew, millet, rice, plantains, and cocoa.

In the aspect of economic standards, Oyo State has a total of $2, 666 for its per capita level and $16.121 billion as its total GDP.

5. Imo State

Imo State is distinguished as the richest State in the South-Eastern zone of Nigeria. Though Imo State is one of the richest Nigerian States in terms of infrastructural development and economic returns, it remains one of the Nigerian States with the smallest expanse of land.

Just like a number of other Southern States, Imo State is endowed with some land expanse that is rich in resources such as white clay, fine sand, limestone, lead, crude oil, natural gas, and zinc. As an industrialized centre, the State houses several oil companies including Addax Petroleum, Chevron Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell, and Agip.

In landmass, Imo State covers 5, 530 square kilometers while in the aspect of economic standards, the State’s per capita level hovers around $3, 527 coupled with $14.212 billion in total GDP.

6. Kano State

Kano State is the richest State in the Northern region of Nigeria. Situated in the North-Western zone, Kano State accounts for 20, 131 square kilometers out of Nigeria’s entire land expanse. Meanwhile, this classifies it as one of the largest States in the country. Regarded as the most populous Northern State, Kano State occupies a population of 11 million people.

As regards its economic standards, Kano State has a per capita level of $1, 288 while its total GDP is estimated at $12.393 billion. As part of its significant features, Kano State is popular as a commercial centre coupled with its major production of hides and skins. Besides that, the Northern State has an enormous volume of sesame, soybean, cotton, garlic, gum Arabic and chili pepper.

7. Edo State

Edo is another State in Nigeria’s South-Southern zone. The State occupies a total of 17, 082 square kilometers in landmass. Likewise, it makes up a total of 3.5 million people out of Nigeria’s overall population. As one of the richest Nigerian States –particularly in the Southern region –Edo State has fair economic standards estimated at $3.623 in per capita and $11.888 billion in overall GDP.

As a beautiful feature, Edo is much admired as a centre for tourists, endowed with several tourist attractions including Ise Lake and River Niger Beach.

8. Akwa Ibom State

Akwa Ibom is one of the Southern States situated along the coast. It occupies a total of 5.5 million people in the population and its land mass extends across 7, 081 square kilometers. The State is blessed with a number of ethnic backgrounds majorly including Obolo, Eket, Oron, Annang, and Ibibio.

As per economic standards, Akwa Ibom State has a per capita level of $2, 779 while its total GDP is valued at $11.179 billion.

9. Ogun State

Ogun State is the third richest state in Nigeria today, located in the South-Western zone. The landmass of the State stretches across 16, 980 square kilometers while a total of 4 million inhabitants make up its population.

As an industrialized centre, Ogun is obviously one of the Nigerian States with the highest number of factories. Among the famous factories it houses are Dangote Cement, Lafarge Cement, Coleman Cables, Ga, ble, and Procter.

Within the South West, Ogun State maintains fair economic standards with an estimated per capita level of $2, 744 coupled with an overall GDP of $10.470 billion.

10. Kaduna

Kaduna is one of the States in Nigeria’s northwest zone with a landmass of 46, 053 square kilometers. In population, the State has a total of 6.1 million inhabitants. Kaduna constitutes the Nigerian States with diverse ethnic groups. As regards its economic standards, the North Central State has a per capita level of $1, 666 while its GDP is estimated at $10.334 billion.

11. Cross River State

Cross River is one of the Nigerian States which make up the country’s South Eastern zone. Cross River State accounts for a total of 4 million people out of Nigeria’s overall population. In landmass, the State spans 20, 156 square kilometers. Majorly, Cross River encompasses three ethnic groups including Efik, Ejagham, and Bekwarra.

Economically, Cross River has a per capita level of $5, 150 along with a total GDP of $9.292 billion.

12. Abia State

Abia is one of the richest states in Nigeria which is located in the southern region. With an entire population of 3 million inhabitants, its regarded as one of the least populous Nigerian States. Likewise, in the aspect of landmass, the State occupies a meagre expanse of 6, 320 square kilometers.

Abia State is one of Nigeria’s great oil deposits and as regards this, the largest portion of its economic returns stems from its oil sector. Economically, the State has a per capita level of $3, 000 alongside an overall GDP of $8.687 billion.

13. Ondo State

Ondo State forms part of the country’s South West. In population, the South-Western State accounts for a total of 3.5 million people. Meanwhile, its landmass extends across 15, 500 square kilometers. Significantly, Ondo is one of the Nigerian States endowed with many ethnic backgrounds, and regarding this, it has various groups such as Akoko, Akure, Okitipupa, Ilaje, and Owo.

In the aspect of economic standards, the State has a capital level that amounts to $3,392 while its entire GDP is estimated at $8.414 billion.

14. Osun State

Osun State is located in Nigeria’s South-Western zone. The State accounts for 4.2 million people out of Nigeria’s entire population while its landmass spans 9, 251 square kilometers. As a South-Western State, the best part of its inhabitants is Yoruba’s while its major ethnic groups include Osun, Ife, Ijesha, Oyo, IIbolo, and Igbomina.

As per economic standards, Osun coming as the fourteenth richest state in Nigeria has a per capita level of $2, 076 together with an overall GDP of $7.28 billion.

15. Benue State

Benue is one of the Nigerian States which make up the country’s South East. It occupies a total of 4.5 million people out of Nigeria’s overall population and its landmass stretches across 34, 059 square kilometers.

Benue State is distinguished as one of the Nigerian lands with agricultural potential. Meanwhile, most of its inhabitants are involved in agriculture and this contributes largely to its agricultural produce such as yam, cocoyam, rice, sesame, beans, millet, cassava, sorghum, potato, maize, and soybean.

In the aspect of the economy, the State’s per capita level is valued at $1, 592 while its total GDP hangs around $6.864 billion.

16. Anambra

Anambra is one of the richest states in Nigeria, located in the Southern region of the country. It is the Nigerian State with the second smallest landmass and this means its territory stretches across 4, 844 square kilometers. The State is largely dominated by the Igbo’s and it constitutes the Southern States endowed with mineral resources such as oil and gas.

Economically, Anambra’s per capita level is estimated at $1, 615 while its total GDP hovers around $6.744 billion.

17. Katsina State

Katsina is situated in Nigeria’s North-Western zone. It has a landmass of 24, 192 square kilometers and as a Northern State, it is majorly dominated by the Hausa. Moreover, it occupies a total of 6.5 million inhabitants out of Nigeria’s overall population.

Economically, Kaduna has a per capita level of $1, 017 while its entire GDP is valued at $6.022 billion. Over and above that, the North-Western State is renowned for its appreciation of education, and in this regard, it has a high number of academic institutions.

18. Niger State

Niger State is one of the States which make up the North-Central zone of Nigeria. Impressively, it is regarded as the Nigerian State with the largest landmass and in this regard, it makes up 76, 363 square kilometers of Nigeria’s entire land area. Despite being regarded as the country’s largest State, Niger State remains one of the least populous states with a total population of 4 million inhabitants. With the presence of Kainji Dam and Shiroro Dam, the State is considered the powerhouse of Nigeria.

Economically, it has a per capita level of $1,  480 while its entire GDP stands at $6.002 billion.

19. Borno State

Borno State is one of the Nigerian States accounting for the North-Western zone of the country. The State’s overall population covers 6 million people while its landmass extends across 57, 790 square kilometers. Significantly, this classifies the State as one of Nigeria’s largest States.

Borno State is widely dominated by the Kanuri –one of Nigeria’s major ethnic groups. Unfortunately, its population has been affected by constant reductions due to rebellious attacks by the Boko Haram sect. Economically, the State maintains a per capita level of $1, 214 while its total GDP is estimated at $5.18 billion.

20. Plateau State

Plateau State is situated in the central point of Nigeria with a landmass that stretches across 3, 178 square kilometers. Economically, Plateau State has a per capita level of $1, 158 while its overall GDP stands at $5.154 billion.

Significantly, Plateau State is considered the home of tourism as it houses a range of tourist attractions including the Kerang Highlands, Wase Rock, Wildlife Safari Park, Kurra Falls, the National Museum (located in Jos), Assop Falls, Jos Zoo, and The Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture.

That’s all about the top richest states in Nigeria.

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9 Replies to “Top 20 Richest States In Nigeria (2023)”

  4. I disagree with the position Akwa Ibom was placed. That states is swimming in oil money.

  9. Great work. But a small observation here: Kaduna is in the North West geopolitical zone, not North Central as indicated here

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