Believe me or not,this list is authentic and legit, see the top 10 richest states in Nigeria here.
Nigeria is an independent country with 36 states blessed with
numerous natural resources. Even though crude oil has been
the main source of the country riches, there are some of
these wealthy states that produce them.
Richest states in
Nigeria
In this article, we list the top 10 richest states in the
federation based on IGR i.e Internally Generated Revenue.
Please note that these states can survive on their own without
the help of the federal government, as the source of their
wealth comes from sectors like tourism, agriculture, sports
etc.
List of Top 10 Richest States in
Nigeria Currently (2021)
Based on Internally Generated Revenue, these are the ten
richest states in Nigeria currently this 2021:
Lagos state ($150 billion)
Lagos stands first as the current richest state in the country
based on internally generated revenue (IGR) of about N268
billion. The highest any oil producing state in Nigeria can
boast of.
With a GDP totaling $150 billion and per capita of $4,333,
Lagos state occupies the position as the fifth largest
economic centre in Africa at the moment. Even if the National
Population Commission rates this state as the second most
populous in the country, to many it remains the highest.
Lagos houses many headquarters and organizations. The
state relies heavily on taxes . No wonder, its slogan is the
centre of excellence but its still one of the smallest states in
the country in terms of land mass. The size of Lagos is 3.577
square kilometers.
Not only does Lagos state stand as the richest state in
Nigeria, it is also the most developed state in the country
boasting of the top infrastructural facilities to validate its
claim as a mega city.
Although, it is located in the southwestern geo-political zone
of the country, Lagos state was once the capital of Nigeria
and its the hub of business for most citizens.
Lagos has a small land mass but still remains the most
populous Nigerian State with an estimated population of 18
million inhabitants and is seen as the major centre for
commercial activities.
Lagos is one of the few states that can stand on its own
without the Federal government allocation as she can survive
with her Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Akwa Ibom state ($13. 27 billion)
Akwa Ibom State is another wealthy state in the country. It is
also listed among the oil producing states located in the
southern part of Nigeria. It generated N14.79 billion as IGR in
2016 with a GDP of $13. 27 billion and per capita of $2,779.
Located in the southern part of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom state has
a territory of 7.081 square kilometers with a total population
of 5.5 million people of various ethnic groups such as Ibibio,
Oron, Annang, Eket and Obolo respectively.
Rivers state ($13.19 billion)
Rivers occupies the position as the third richest state in the
country, generating an IGR of over N80 billion in 2016 as seen
in a report. According to Wikipedia, the source of wealth of
rivers state is crude oil and natural gas. In fact, over 50% of
crude oil produced in Nigeria comes from this wealthy state.
Rivers state boost a GDP of $13 billion with $3,965 per capita.
Since it is one of the major oil producing states in the
federation, many oil and gas firms such as NNPC, Shell, Total
etc are situated in its capital city, Port Harcourt. The land
mass size of rivers state is approximately 11.077 square
kilometers and the population is estimated at 5.2 million
people.
Delta state ($10.47 billion)
Delta State is also another wealthy oil producing state that
accounts for Nigeria’s sustainability on crude oil. With an
internally generated revenue of N40.8 billion, Delta state is
ranked the fourth richest state in Nigeria 2021.
Apart from being on of the largest depositor of Natural gas
and oil in the country, other mineral resources found in delta
includes decorative rocks, limestone, tar kaolin, sand,
industrial clay, lignite and silica.
According to the IGR report, the GDP of Delta state stands at
$10. 47 billion with a per capita of $3,990. It is also one of
the Niger-delta states located at the southern Geo-political
area of Nigeria. Population as taken from the last census of
the state is estimated at 4 million people living at Delta state
in a territory of 17.698 square kilometers.
Bayelsa state ($8.14 billion)
Bayelsa state ranks 5th richest state in the country this 2021
with an impressive GDP of $8.14 billion as recorded. Bayelsa
is located in the southern geopolitical zone and it is also
among the highest oil producing states in the country.
Note that Bayelsa state was were crude oil was first
discovered in the country. This feat alone shows how wealthy
this state can be.
Anambra state ($7.95 billion)
Anambra is the wealthiest state in the southeast region of
Nigeria, Anambra state houses most of the richest Igbo
people in the country. These men are billionaires, millionaires
and have been dully ranked by Forbes.
Anambra state generated N14.79 billion in 2016 making it the
5th richest state in the country in terms of IGR. This feat was
reached due to the initiative of the government of the state.
With a GDP of $7.95 billion, Anambra isn’t only just the richest
igbo state but one of the most developed in the south-eastern
region.
Kano state ($7.67 billion)
Kano State was rated the most populated state in Nigeria as
of 2016 as opposed to Lagos by the Nigerian Bureau of
Statistics. This is the only North western state in Nigeria that
is ranked as the 7th richest state in the country.
With a population of over 13 million citizens, Kano state
generated N13.6 billion as IGR with a GDP of $7.67 billion and
a per capita of $1,288. Kano state is also the richest Northern
state in Nigeria with the largest local government areas in
terms of numbers.
Ondo state ($7.75 billion)
In terms of internally generated revenue, Ondo state boast of
generating N16.6 billion in 2016 with a GDP of $7.75 billion
and a per capita of $2,666.
This is also a Yoruba speaking state with a population of
about 5 to 6 million people in a territory that covers a land
area of 15,500 km square kilometers. Agriculture has also
being one of the major source of wealth for Ondo state and
its people. No wonder most of the working class populace are
farmers.
Some of the agricultural produce from this state include:
cashew, cocoa, palm oil, plantains, cassava, yam, rice, millet
and maize. Most of these products are exported to other
countries internationally.
Ondo is ranked as the 8th richest state in the country with an
IGR of over ₦29.8 billion and GDP of $7.75 billion. This
Yoruba state is located in south-western Nigeria, and had its
capital at Akure city.
Population wise, Ondo state has over 5.5 million people
residing within its territory and is bounded by Ekiti state to the
north, Edo to the east and Ogun state to the west.
Ogun state ($7.25 billion)
Ogun state is the ninth richest Nigerian state based on IGR.
You might be surprised but it would shock you to know that
the state generated an estimated N34.59 billion in 2016 with a
current GDP of $7.25 billion plus a per capita of $2,744.
Ogun State has over 4 million residents and a land area of
16.980 square kilometres and it is located in the south
western area of Nigeria just like Lagos. It is also a Yoruba
speaking state.
You can find top manufacturing companies and plants in Ogun
state such as Dangote Cement in Ibese, Procter and Gamble
in Agbara, Lafarage Cement in Ewekoro, and Coleman Cables
in Arepo.
Kaduna state ($6.95 billion)
Kaduna state is the 10th richest Nigerian state with a GDP of
$6.95 billion. This state is among the most developed
northern states in the Northern region of Nigeria and has a
population of over 7 million people.
Economic wise, the state generates funds from agriculture,
tourism and commerce. Kaduna is said to have the largest
centre of education in the country and has attracted investors
and foreigners in visiting the state to invest in its resources.
Edo state ($11,888 million)
Edo state is also ranked the seventh richest state in Nigeria in
terms of IGR. It generated up to N19.11 billion in 2016 with a
GDP of $11.88 million and per capita of $3.623. The source of
wealth of this state is tourism. You can find tourist attractions
like Emotan Statue in Benin City, the River Niger Beach and
the Ise Lake in Aghenebode in Edo state.
Edo state is also one of the oil producing states in the country
located in the southern area of Nigeria. The state is rich in
terms of culture and tradition. Edo states also has over 3
million people living within itself in terms of its population and
covers a territory over 17.802 square kilometers.
Enugu state ($4,396 million)
Carved out from Anambra state in the year 1991, Enugu is the
among the richest Igbo states in Nigeria currently. It
generated about N18 billion as seen in the IGR report.
The major language of this state is Igbo and it is located in
the Southeastern area of the country. The GDP of Enugu state
is $4.3 million currently.
