– Working-age population – 116.6m

– Labour force population – 88.9m

– Unemployed – 4.79m

– Employed – 84.1m

– Self-employed – 71.2m

– Wage earners – 12.96m

– Private sector – 9.64m

– Public sector – 3.32m

Out of the labour force – 27.7m

27.7 million Nigerians of the working age population are economically inactive, that’s 24% of the working-age population.

85% of employed Nigerians are self-employed.

The remaining 15% are wage earners, with 74% in private sector while 26% are in public sector.

EMPLOYEES POPULATION 1

1. Lagos — 2.05 million 2

2. Oyo — 1.04 million 3

3. Rivers — 690K 4

4. Anambra — 527K 5

5. Ogun — 527K 6

6. Kano — 504K 7

7. Kaduna — 454K 8

8. Imo — 449K 9

9. Delta — 434K 10

10. Borno — 432K

TOP 10 P.A.Y.E COLLECTED 1

1. Lagos — ₦444.73bn 2

2. Rivers — ₦143.02bn 3

3. FCT — ₦130.11bn 4

4. Delta — ₦71.65bn 5

5. Ogun — ₦53.18bn 6

6. Oyo — ₦29.63bn 7

7. Edo — ₦26.97bn 8

8. Akwa Ibom — ₦25.84bn 9

9. Kaduna — ₦23.57bn 10

10. Kano — ₦19.61bn

Nigeria is a West African Country and the most populous Nation in Africa, with over 200 million people.

She is known for its diverse cultures, languages, and landscapes, it has a mixed economy driven by oil, agriculture, and services. Its vibrant culture includes Afrobeat music, Nollywood films, and rich traditions.

Nigeria has 36 States and the Capital, Abuja. Nigeria has 6 Geopolitical zone, namely;

South East (Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo & Abia)

South West (Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo & Ekiti)

South South (Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa & Akwa Ibom)

North East (Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe)

North Central (Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)

North West (Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara)

Now, let’s dive in to the most populated state in Nigeria 2025 (Credit: StatiSense)

List Of Most Populated State In Nigeria 2025

1. Lagos State: 20 Million People

Lagos State, located in southwestern Nigeria, is the country’s economic powerhouse and most populous state, with over 20 million residents.

Lagos State hosts Nigeria’s largest city and commercial capital. It features bustling markets, industries, and a thriving tech ecosystem. Key landmarks include Victoria Island, Lekki, and Eko Atlantic. Despite urban challenges, Lagos remains a hub for culture, trade, and innovation in Africa.

2. Kano: 15.98 Million People

Kano State, located in northern Nigeria, is second most prominent and populous state in Nigeria with over 15 million residents living in the State.

Kano State, established in 1967 was known for its rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and vibrant economy. Kano city, the state capital, serves as a major commercial and cultural hub in West Africa.

3. Katsina: 10.71 Million People

Katsina State, located in the northern region of Nigeria, is the third most populous state in Nigeria. It’s a State that shares a border with Niger Republic.

Katsina State was created in 1987 from Kaduna State, and its capital is Katsina City. The state is predominantly populated by the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups, with Islam being the dominant religion.

Katsina is a significant agricultural state, known for cultivating crops like millet, maize, sorghum, and groundnuts. Livestock farming is also widespread, contributing to the state’s economy.

4. Kaduna: 9.26 Million People

Kaduna State, located in Nigeria’s north-central region, is the fourth populous state in Nigeria and also one of the largest State by Land mass. Its capital city, Kaduna, serves as a major industrial and administrative center.

The state is ethnically and religiously diverse, with over 50 ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Fulani, Gbagyi, and Southern Kaduna communities. While Islam and Christianity are the dominant religions, traditional beliefs are also practiced.

5 Bauchi: 8.59 Million People

Bauchi State, located in northeastern Nigeria, is the fifth most popuated State in Nigeria with about 8.59 Million People living in it.

The State is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and agricultural economy. Bauchi is home to various ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Fulani, Tangale, and Sayawa, with Islam and Christianity as the predominant religions.

6. Oyo: 8.17 Million People

Oyo State, located in southwestern Nigeria, is the sixth most populated State in Nigeria 2025.

Its capital, Ibadan, is the largest city in West Africa by land area and a major hub of education, history, and commerce. The state is predominantly Yoruba, with Islam and Christianity as the main religions.

7. Jigawa: 7.72 Million People

Jigawa State, located in northwestern Nigeria, is the seventh most populated state in Nigeria with about 7.72 Million residents. It was created in 1991 from Kano State.

The state is predominantly Hausa and Fulani, with Islam being the dominant religion. It shares an international border with Niger Republic, fostering cross-border trade and cultural exchanges.

8. Rivers: 7.67 Million People

Rivers State, located in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria, is a key economic hub and one of the country’s most resource-rich states. It’s the eighth most populated state in Nigeria.

Rivers was Created in 1967, and its capital, Port Harcourt, is a major center for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, earning it the nickname “Treasure Base of the Nation.” The state is predominantly inhabited by ethnic groups such as the Ikwerre, Kalabari, Ogoni, and Ijaw.

9. Niger: 7.03 Million People

Niger State, located in north-central Nigeria, is the largest state by land area, covering approximately 76,000 square kilometers. Niger is also the 9th most populated state in Nigeria.

Niger was Created in the year 1976 and Minna is the capital city. The state shares an international border with the Republic of Benin and is often referred to as the “Power State” due to its hydroelectric power plants.

10. Sokoto: 6.63 Million People

Sokoto State, located in the northwestern region of Nigeria, is the tenth most populated state in Nigeria with 6.63 million residents.

It is known as the “Seat of the Caliphate” due to its historical role as the center of the Sokoto Caliphate, a significant Islamic empire established in the early 19th century. Created in 1976, its capital is Sokoto City.

The state is predominantly inhabited by the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups, with Islam as the dominant religion.