Which states are the richest states in Nigeria? — Undoubtedly, Nigeria is a blessed country! The country is mostly blessed with natural resources and it cannot be denied. Meanwhile, there are different states in Nigeria with varying resources. These resources include Minerals, Fertile Agricultural Lands, Huge oil deposits, Natural Gas deposits, and so on
However, Nigeria has a total number of 36 states, and these states vary in population, size, and even wealth. This article details the top 10 richest states in Nigeria out of the 36 states using their GDPs and economic activities as yardsticks.
1. Lagos State – $33.68 Billion
Lagos State is located in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. It is the most populous city in Nigeria and it also has the smallest area. Also, it is referred to as the most populous city in Africa.
Furthermore, Lagos is ranked first on the list of the richest states in Nigeria due to the number of businesses and industries thriving in the state, thereby contributing to its economic riches.
Foremost, Africa’s largest and busiest port, the Lagos Port is situated in Lagos. Asides from this, the state’s economy is also affected by other activities such as manufacturing, processing, oil refineries, and so on. All these are what has contributed to the GDP of the state, thereby making it the first richest state in Nigeria.
2. Rivers State – $12.15 Billion
Rivers State is second on the list of the richest states in Nigeria. It is situated in the Niger Delta Region of the Southern part of Nigeria. With its state capital, Port Harcourt is considered the commercial centre of the Nigerian Oil Industry.
Meanwhile, it is considered the 6th most populated state in Nigeria. And with a GDP of $12.15 billion, it is the 2nd richest state in Nigeria.
3. Delta State – $16.75 Billion
Delta State is third on the list of the richest states in Nigeria. And also the twelfth most populated state in Nigeria. It is located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Delta State has one of the largest deposits of minerals and other natural resources such as limestone, lignite, kaolin, silica, and so on.
4. Oyo State – $16.12 Billion
Oyo state is the fourth on the list of the richest states in Nigeria. it is an inland state situated in the southwestern part of Nigeria. And it is also the fifth most populated state in Nigeria.
Oyo State is among the highest-ranked states in Nigeria for food production. The state is known for agricultural production, processing, and packaging. And this is where it gets its wealth from mainly.
5. Imo State – $14.77 Billion
Imo State is fifth on the list of the richest states in Nigeria. It is situated in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Asides from being one of the richest states in Nigeria, it is also the richest state in South-Eastern Nigeria.
Furthermore, the state’s economy is hugely affected by the availability of numerous manufacturing companies, infrastructural developments, and deposits of some natural resources such as crude oil, natural gas, sand, and so on.
6.Kano State -$12.39 Billion
Asides from Kano State being one of the richest states in Nigeria, it is also the most populated state in Nigeria. And its capital Kano city is also the second most populated city in Nigeria after Lagos.
However, the capital of Kano, Kano city serves as a manufacturing and processing centre for canned foods, textiles, cement, steel, light trucks, and so on.
7. Edo State – $11.89 Billion
Edo State is seventh on the list of the richest states in Nigeria. It is situated in the Southern region of Nigeria. And it has Agriculture as its main economic activity.
However, asides from the Agricultural sector, the state also has mineral deposits including limestone and lignite. And several other industries that produce rubber, plywood, beer, furniture, and so on.
8. Akwa Ibom State – $11.09 Billion
Akwa Ibom State is eighth on the list of the richest states in Nigeria. It is situated in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. And it is the fifteenth most populated state in the country.
Meanwhile, the state gets its GDP from economic activities such as Mining, Agriculture, Offshore oil extraction, Deep-sea fishing, and so on.
9. Ogun State – $11 Billion
Ogun State is ninth on the list of the richest states in Nigeria. It is situated in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. The state has quite a number of natural resources including limestone, deposits, chalk, clay, etc.
Furthermore, Abeokuta which is the capital and most populated city in Ogun state is known for the Aro granite near it. However, the mine provides building materials, especially for southern Nigeria.
Other notable popular cities in Ogun state are Ijebu Ode and Sagamu. Ijebu Ode is popular for being the former royal capital of the Ijebu kingdom. While Sagamu is Nigeria’s most popular Kolanut dealing city.
10. Kaduna State – $10.33 Billion
Kaduna State is tenth on the ranking of the richest states in Nigeria. It is situated in the Northern part of Nigeria.
Foremost, the largest textile-manufacturing industry in Nigeria is in Kaduna state. And asides from that, it also has oil refining, tobacco, and cottonseed processing industries.
Conclusively, Kaduna state is home to a number of textile manufacturing industries and as a result, the state has continually brought out proceeds from its economic activities. And making it one of the richest states in Nigeria.