Full List of Oil Producing States in Nigeria (2024)

Nigeria produces about 2.5 million barrels of crude oil daily making it the largest producer of oil in Africa and 6th largest producer in the world.

Interestingly, this high valued and volume of crude oil is produced from just 7.5% of the total area. This small part of the country that produces this is known as the Niger Delta Region and the states that comprises it alongside other states where this oil is found are known as the oil producing States in Nigeria.

Currently, we have only 11 crude oil producing States in Nigeria that could be said to be really harnessing their crude oil potentials. These states includes Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, Imo, Abia, Kogi, Bauchi and Gombe respectively.

Out of these 11 producers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa accounts for 80% of the crude oil produced. Also there are 3 northern oil producing states in the country. This article will discuss the contribution of each state and other interesting things about the states.

1. AKWA IBOM STATE

Akwa Ibom is the largest oil producing state in Nigeria accounting for 31.4% of the total oil produced daily. The capital of Akwa Ibom is Uyo and it is said to be the most beautiful city in the country.

This state is a home to more than 5 million people scattered spatially in the 31 Local Governments of the state. 3 ethnic groups dominates this place and that is the Oron, Annang and Ibibio.

Akwa Ibom is not only blessed with crude oil, it is also blessed with other minerals such as natural gas, salt, clay, limestone, coal, glass sand and giver nitrate.

2. DELTA STATE

Delta with Asaba as it capital is the second largest oil producing state in the country producing about 21.56%.

There is a refinery and a petrochemical plant in Warri, the heartbeat of Delta state.

This state has 25 Local Government Areas with a population of more than 4 million. The major ethnic groups are the Urhobos, Isokos and the Itsekiris.

Regarded as one of the richest state in Nigeria, Delta also have rubber, timber, fine sand and clay as its natural resources.

3. RIVERS STATE

Rivers was ones the largest producer before Akwa Ibom took over from it as the largest oil producing states in Nigeria.

Currently, Rivers refine more crude oil than any other state in the country. In terms of crude oil production, Rivers produce 21.43% of the total produce.

The capital of Rivers is Port Harcourt, a city named after it founder. Rivers is regarded as one of the most populous cities in the country with a population of over 5 millions.

Ethnic groups in this state include: the Ikwerre, Okrika, Upobo, Kalabari the Ubani amongst others. Rivers state is also blessed with enormous aquatic resources.

4. BAYELSA STATE

Bayelsa is one of the major oil producing states in Nigeria being the source of 18.07% of oil in Nigeria. This state is home to Oloibiri, the place where crude oil was first discovered in Nigeria in commercial quantity in 1959.

The capital of Bayelsa is Yenagoa and it is the state with the lowest number of Local Government Areas. Currently, it has 8 Local Government Areas with a population of just around 1.9 making it one of the least populated state in the country.

The historical Bonny Island is located in this state. The major ethnic groups include the Ogbia, Nembe, Izon and Epie- Atissa. Alongside crude oil, Bayelsa is blessed with aquatic resources.

5. ONDO STATE

Ondo state is the 5th oil producing state in the country accounting for about 3.74%. The capital of Ondo is Akure and it is the only South Western state that made it to the list.

The population of Ondo is put around 2.4 millions, these numbers of people inhabit the 19 Local Government Areas in the state. Ondo state is also blessed with bitumen and tar sands.

6. EDO STATE

Edo is one of the lucky states to be an oil producing state. This state contribute 2.06% of the total crude oil output in the country.

Benin City is currently the capital of Edo and the state has a human strength of more than 3.3 million spread across the state’s Local Government Areas.

Edo state is also blessed with so many natural mineral resources such as limestone, clay, gold, iron ore, fine sand and granite.

7. IMO STATE

The capital of Imo is Owerri. This state add it out minute yet important quota of oil to the nation. It accounts for about 1.06% of the total oil produced in Nigeria. Imo state has been touted as the richest Igbo state in Nigeria in terms of Internal Generated Revenue (IGR)

The population of Imo is around 4 millions while it number of LGA is 27. This state is also graced with lead, zinc, fine sand, clay and limestone as the mineral resources found within the state.

8. ABIA STATE

Umuahia is the capital of Abia state. This state is also lucky to had been blessed with crude oil earning it the title oil producing state. Abia is also an Igbo state located in the south eastern geopolitical zone of the country.

This state has 17 LGA with a population of about 3 millions. Abia accounts for 0.68% of oil produced daily in Nigeria. It is also blessed with lead, zinc, fine sand and limestone.

9. LAGOS STATE

Oil was recently found in Lagos which has earned Lagos state a spot among the states where oil can be found in Nigeria. Also seen as the centre of excellence and the commercial base of the nation, Lagos is the richest state in Nigeria.

With a population of more than 20 million residents, Lagos state has is seen as the most developed state where business thrives. In terms of ethnicity, the dominant tribe is Yoruba but other tribes such as the Igbos, Hausas, Ibibio, etc can be found in this state.

10. KOGI STATE

Kogi state was announced an oil-producing state by the Federal government after an oil well was first drilled at some communities in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi state. This ensures that Kogi now receives its 13% oil derivation funds as one of first oil producing state in the northern region of Nigeria.

11. BAUCHI & GOMBE STATES

These are the two first north-eastern oil producing states where crude oil was found in commercial quantities at the Kolmani field sites in Bauchi and Gombe states respectively. President Buhari has since approved the first oil drilling field in Northern Nigeria and the Kolmani Oil Prospecting Licence 809 and 810 to ensure that crude oil drilling is carried out in earnest in the northern region of the area.

The list ends here, leaving me and you to think on which state is to take the 12th spot. Is it Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Sokoto or Anambra? You can drop your comments using the comment box.

All the above oil producing states are part of the states earning from the yearly 13% of the revenue gotten from crude oil meant for stated producing oil in Nigeria.