Most of the of the largest states in Nigeria in terms of landmass are in the northern part of the country. In this article we’ll provide you with the names of those states along with their sizes and locations.
Standing at 923,763 km², Nigeria is the world’s 32nd largest country (just behind Tanzania).
And in total, Nigeria has exactly 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
However, the lands are not in equal proportion. In other words, the size of lands for all those states vary tremendously.
That is, among those 36 states you’ll find extremely large ones; some are even much bigger than several countries around the world.
So, if you have been trying to know which state is the biggest in nigeria, this is the point where you find the answers you seek.
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Top 10 largest states in Nigeria by land area
1. Niger State
Located in the north-central parts of Nigeria, otherwise known as the middle-belt, Niger state is Nigeria’s largest.
To be precise, Niger stands at a 76,363 km². Which means, it covers approximately 8.3 percent of the entire size of Nigeria. It is no surprise, then, that Nigeria got her name from Niger (Niger Area), if that were the case.
Niger is notably bigger than countries like Belgium, Switzerland, Israel among others.
If you have traveled within Niger (like I have), then, you’ll agree with this fact. I mean, from Suleja to Mokwa is roughly 6-7 hours journey. And that’s not the farthest journey within the state. By the way, the capital of Niger is Minna.
2. Borno State
Borno is located in the northeast part of the country and is, as a matter of fact, Nigeria’s 2nd-largest state with a landmass of around 70,898 km².
It was formed in 1976 from the split of the North-Eastern State. In fact, the earlier version of Borno boasted the largest landmass in Nigeria.
However, in 1991 Yobe was carved out of it, which led to a reduction from its over 100,000 km² land size. Borno is the homeland of the Kanuri people in Nigeria.
3. Taraba state
Taraba, another state located in northeastern Nigeria, boasts the 3rd-largest landmass; standing at about 54,473 km².
The state achieved its name from the Taraba River which traverses the southern part of the state. And its capital city is Jalingo. Taraba is home to Mumuyeng, Kuteb, Gurnam tribes, among others.
4. Kaduna state
Kaduna is Nigeria’s 4th-biggest state in terms of landmass. It is located in the north-western geopolitical zone of Nigeria and boasts a size of land that is roughly 46,053 km².
The capital of the state is located in the city of Kaduna, which is also one of the commercial centres therein.
Kaduna State is dominated by Baju, Hausa, Gbagyi tribes among others.
5. Bauchi state
In terms of land size, Bauchi stands as 5th in Nigeria, just behind Kaduna. The state boasts a land area of around 45,837 km². The capital of Bauchi is Bauchi (same name), which is also one of the largest cities within it.
Bauchi was carved out of the north-eastern state in 1976. And in 1996, Gombe was carved out of it, thereby reducing its initial size.
6. Yobe state
Yobe is the 6th-biggest state in Nigeria, with a land area of about 45,502 km². The capital of the state is Damaturu.
Yobe began to exist on 27 August 1991, after Banbangida carved it out of old Borno State.
7. Zamfara state
Standing at 39,762 km², Zamfara state is Nigeria’s 7th-largest by area. It is located within the northwestern region of Nigeria and its capital is Gusau.
The Fulanis and Hausas are the major ethnic groups in the state, with several other smaller ethnic societies making up the entire population.
Zamfara was created from Sokoto state in 1996 by the then Head of States, Late General Sani Abacha.
8. Adamawa state
In Nigeria, Adamawa state stands as 8th in position in terms of land area. In summary, it boasts a land portion of around 36,917 km².
Adamawa was formerly part of the defunct Gongola state. It was renamed Adamawa after Taraba was carved out of it in 1991. The capital of Adamawa is Yola.
9. Kwara state
Kwara is the ninth-biggest state in Nigeria with a land area of 36,825 km². It is noteworthy that Kwara is the first yoruba-owned state to make our list.
Kwara is located within the North Central geopolitical zone, commonly referred to as the Middle Belt. And the state capital is Ilorin.
The primary ethnic groups are Yoruba, Nupe, Bariba, and Fulani. The yorubas are the majority tribes while the last 3 make up some of the significant minorities within Kwara.
10. Kebbi state
Kebbi is the 10th-largest Nigerian by area (36,800 km²). It is located in north-western Nigeria, and dominated by inhabitants of Hausa and Fulani descent. The capital of the state is Birnin Kebbi, which is also one of its biggest cities and commercial centres.
External resource:
Wikipedia: List of Nigeria states by area
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