List of Niger Delta States in Nigeria

List of Niger Delta States in Nigeria

The Niger Delta Region was formerly made up of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers until the Nigerian Federal Government included Akwa Ibom, Abia, cross river, Edo, Ondo and Imo in the year 2000. This region is about 70,000sqkm, about 7.5% of Nigeria’s landmass and is known mostly for the presence of crude oil deposits in those areas. More on List of Niger Delta States in Nigeria:

List of Niger Delta States in Nigeria

  • 1. BAYELSA

This is the fourth largest oil producing States in the country. Carved on the 1st of October, 1996 out of River State with Yenagoa as it capital, Bayelsa has only 8 Local Government with a population of about 1.9 million and has four major ethnic groups namely, Ogbia, Nembe, Izon, and Epie-Atissa.

  • 2. DELTA

Delta has ethnic groups like the Urhobo, Isoko and the Itsekiri. The state is the second largest oil producing state in Nigeria and has a refinery in Warri. The state capital is Asaba and was created on 27th August 1991. The state population is about 4 million and there are 25 Local Government Areas. They also do agriculture outside exploration of crude oil.

  • 3. RIVERS

It is one of the most populated States in Nigeria with a population of about 5 million. Rivers state was created on 27 May 1967 with Port Harcourt as its capital city and currently has 23 Local Government Areas. It is the third largest oil producing state in the country and has two refineries.

It has major ethnic groups like; Upobo, Okrika, Ikwerre, Ubani the Kalabari are the major ethnic groups.

  • 4. AKWA IBOM

Akwa Ibom is regarded as the largest oil producing state in Nigeria and also as the most beautiful city in the country. The state was created in 23 September 1987 with Uyo as the state capital, it has a population of about 2.3 million and  31 Local Government Areas. Major ethnic groups include; Oron, Ibibio and Annang.

  • 5. CROSS RIVER

This state got its name from the Cameroonian river, cross which it shares boundary with. Cross River State was created in 27 May 1967 with Calabar as it capital. Calabar is regarded as one of the most beautiful city in the country. Cross River has 18 LGA with a population of about 3.3 million. The main ethnic groups are Efik, Ejagham, and Bekwarra.

  • 6. EDO STATE

Edo state has a population of about 2.2 million people and has 18 Local Government Areas. It was created on the 27th of August with Benin city as its capital. Major ethnic groups include; The Edo, Okpamheri, Igarra, Etsako / Afemai and Esan.

  • 7. ONDO STATE

Ondo state was created on the 3rd February 1976. The state has a population of about 3.4 million people with 18 LGAs, It is also one the oil-producing States in Nigeria. The major ethnic groups is Yoruba subgroups with the Ijaw group as a minority group.

  • 8. ABIA

Abia also belong to Niger Delta region in Nigeria and has a population of about 2.8 million people. It has 17 LGAs. The state was created on 27 August 1991 with Umuahia as its capital. Major ethnic group is Igbo.

  • 9. IMO STATE

Imo state was created on 3 February 1976, it is also part of the Niger Delta Region because it is an oil-producing state. The capital of Imo is Owerri and has a population of about 4 million living in its 27 LGAs. The major ethnic group is Igbo.

Lagos State recently join the list of commercial oil-producing states in Nigeria, which will make them part of the List of Niger Delta States in Nigeria

Note : Its very important to differentiate between the official Niger Delta Region and Biafra Niger Delta 

  • Niger Delta Region: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ondo { and probably Lagos State }
  • South South States: Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Cross River, Imo, Southern part of Benue, Iganke in Edo

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