DAILY GIST has highlighted top ten richest states in Nigeria.
Nigeria is one country that is vehemently blessed with tons of minerals and human resources that ought to make her one of the most powerful countries in the world.
Of course, we are aware of the fact that the country is faced with leadership issues that came with mismanagement.
However, there are still wealthy states in Nigeria that can almost survive without allocation from the Federal government.
Nigeria has 36 States as things stand now, and according to the law of the land, the Federal Government is in control of the mineral resources everywhere.
This means the states must depend on the Federal Government for a lot of things, as far as finance is concerned.
Nevertheless, there are certain Nigerian States that have been able to put in place structures that bring a lot of money into the pocket of the State Government.
Based on their internally generated revenue (IGR), below are the top ten richest States In Nigeria.
1. Lagos State – IGR: ₦651.2billion
While the State is the smallest in the country in terms of size, it also has a reputation for being one of the most populated. As of 2020, it was said that there are around 14.3 million people in Lagos State. The State Government has put in place systems to utilize this reality, and the state has been at the forefront in several aspects for some time now.
The Southwestern State is a prominent economic hub in the country and is an abode to tons of manufacturing, technological, and banking firms.
2. Rivers State – IGR: ₦172.8billion
Rivers State is another very rich Nigerian State. Located in the South-South region of the country, Rivers has around 5.2 million people. It contains crude oil deposits and natural gas and has a reputation for being the major crude oil contributor in the country, which makes the State an important one as far as the Nigerian economy is concerned.
There are tons of oil and gas companies that are majorly cited in Rivers. There are opportunities present in the State that can’t be easily found elsewhere, so, a lot of people keep making the State their destination in their quest for greener pastures.
3. Ogun State – IGR: ₦124 billion
Ogun State is one of the richest States In Nigeria, with a population of around 7.1 million people. The southwestern state is blessed with abundant natural resources. Ogun State, which is regarded as the largest producer of cement in the country, also has crude oil that is present in commercial quantities.
When you look at the State, one thing that is easily noticed is that it is home of plenty manufacturing companies. Thus, some areas in the State are faring better than the many Nigerian States in terms of important things like electricity.
4. Delta state – IGR: ₦120.6billion
Delta State, being the third-largest producer of oil in Nigeria, is one of the richest States in the country. There are around 4.1 million people living in the State, which is situated in the Southern part of Nigeria. When it comes to natural resources, Delta State is also pretty rich and is filled with large deposits of natural gas and crude oil.
Delta State, which contains 25 local government areas, is not just an oil-producing State, but also an agricultural-producing one. It can also boast of different tourist centers.
5. Kaduna state – IGR: ₦85.9billion
Kaduna State is another rich State in Nigeria. It is located in the Northern part of the country and is the 4th largest State in Nigeria with the largest surface area. Kaduna State has 23 local government areas and is filled with some 8.2 million people. The state makes up about 3.3% of the country’s GDP.
Kaduna State is the richest state in the Northern part of the country and is known for its production of cotton and groundnut (which it also exports). It is the major industrial and financial and center for northern states in Nigeria.
6. Kano state – IGR: ₦62.2billion
Kano is not just among the richest Northern States in Nigeria but is one of the richest in the entire country. Kano State is one of the most populated in Nigeria, with around 13 million people living there. Lots of skins and hides are being exported from Kano State, and the place is known as one of the major commercial hubs in the North. Her economy depends on retail and trade majorly.
7. Akwa Ibom – IGR: ₦58.1billion
Akwa Ibom is another rich State in Nigeria that has a reputation for being the highest producer of oil and gas in the country. The State has a population of around 5 million people and earns a lot from tourism. Apart from oil and tourism, Akwa Ibom also utilizes fishing and farming for its economic development.
8. Oyo State – N56.2 Billion
Oyo State grabs the 8th spot among the richest states in Nigeria. situated in Nigeria’s southwestern expanse.
Historically, Oyo was once the biggest commercial hub in Africa.
9. Edo State – N47.5Billion
In recent years, Edo state has emerged as a vibrant economic force and one of the richest states in Nigeria. Its prosperity is built upon a diverse economic landscape that encompasses agricultural productivity and trade location.
The state’s fertile land and favorable climate contribute to a robust agricultural sector, producing crops like oil palm, rubber, cocoa, and cassava. Edo state also has mineral deposits including limestone and lignite. Its strategic location along key transportation routes, such as major highways and the Benin River, has also historically facilitated trade.
This advantage persists today, as the state remains a vital link in Nigeria’s trade network. The bustling markets and commercial activities in the capital city, Benin City, further underline Edo State’s economic significance.
The state also generates a little of its wealth from tourist attractions, as its borders encompass regions that were formerly the site of various empires and kingdoms formed in the 11th century AD, the Benin Empire.
10. Anambra State: N31Billion
Anambra is one of the richest states in Nigeria
Of southeastern Nigeria extraction, Anambra State has its capital, Awka, and port city, Onitsha, as its two most important economic centres. It is renowned for having the lowest poverty rate in the nation, making it the tenth-richest state in Nigeria.
Nicknamed “Light of the Nation,” the state is Nigeria’s eighth-most populous despite being the second smallest in the country. At the same time, Onitsha is one of the most populated cities in Nigeria.
Anambra is rich in natural gas, crude oil, bauxite, and ceramics, but also has many other resources for agro-industrial activities, such as fishing and farming, with an almost 100 per cent arable soil, resulting in a vast area of cultivated land for grazing and agriculture.
Anambra State began its ascent to the richest states in Nigeria ranking in 2006 when it debuted Orient Petroleum Refinery (OPR), Nigeria’s first private refinery.
The state became an oil-producing state in 2012 due to the efforts of Governor Peter Obi and other Orient Petroleum players, certifying it as one of the richest states in Nigeria.
