Top 10 Smallest States in Nigeria & Sizes
The smallest states in Nigeria in terms of landmass are concentrated in the southern part of the country as opposed to the largest states that are located in the northern part of the country.
This post will discuss the top 10 smallest states in Nigeria by land area. Just know that Lagos is the smallest state in the country. It is also worthy of note that these states are some of the wealthiest in the country.
TOP 10 SMALLEST STATES IN NIGERIA AND THEIR LAND AREA
Here are the 10 smallest Nigerian states according to their land sizes.
| State | Size (km²) |
|---|---|
| Lagos | 3,345 |
| Anambra | 4,844 |
| Imo | 5,530 |
| Ebonyi | 5,935 |
| Abia | 6,320 |
| Gombe | 18,768 |
| Yobe | 45,502 |
| Adamawa | 36,917 |
| Taraba | 54,473 |
| Bayelsa | 10,773 |
LAGOS STATE – 3,345KMSQ
First on our list of smallest states in Nigeria is Lagos. Yes, Lagos state is the smallest state in the country having a land area that could be compared with the landmass of some local government areas in the country.
The land area of Lagos is about 3,345kmsq. Despite this, the 2006 census shows that Lagos is the second most populated state in Nigeria directly behind Kano. It is the richest state in Nigeria, home to 2 major seaports and the busiest airport in the country.
Lagos state is home to the city of Lagos, the most populated city in the country and one of the most populated places in the world. This state can be said to be the commercial nerve of the country and the hub for several startups in the country. Lagos is also richer than Ghana, even though its just the smallest state in the whole Nigeria.
The economy of Lagos state is so strong that had it being it is a country; it would have been the 5th largest in Africa. It has 20 Local Government Areas.
ANAMBRA STATE – 4,844KMSQ
Anambra is the second smallest state in Nigeria directly behind Lagos. It has an area extent of about 4,844kmsq and ranked 10th in terms of population.
The state is an oil producing state aside which it is also blessed with enormous mineral resources. Agriculture is the major economic activity in this state that the population is into.
One interesting thing about Anambra is that it has the lowest poverty rate in the country.
IMO STATE – 5,540KMSQ
Ranked 13th in terms of population, Imo state is the third smallest state in Nigeria. The state occupies a land area measured at 5,540kmsq.
This state just like Anambra state above is located in the South East Geopolitical zone in Nigeria dominated purely by the Igbo speaking group who are mostly Christians and have agriculture and commerce as their main economic activity.
Imo state is also an oil producing state and it took its name from the Imo River.
EBONYI STATE – 5,670KMSQ
Located in the South Eastern part of the country, Ebonyi is one of the smallest and least populated states in the country. It is ranked as the 3rd least populated state and then takes the number 4th spot on the list of the smallest states in Nigeria and has a land area of about 5,670kmsq.
The state is mostly an agricultural state and a major producer of many food crops. However, it is one of the poorest states in the country and the poorest in the South East.
ABIA STATE – 6,320KMSQ
Abia state is an oil producer located in the South East Igbo dominating zone of Nigeria. In terms of population, it is ranked 28 while it rank 5th in terms of small area coverage.
The land area of Abia is about 6,320kmsq. The state is the home to Aba, a popular commercial hub in Nigeria known for its manufacturing prowess.
EKITI STATE – 6,353KMSQ
Ekiti state just like Ebonyi are at the lower part of the spectrum in terms of population and landmass. It has a land area of about 6,353kmsq.
This state is located in the western part of the country dominated by the Yoruba. The state has the highest number of professors in Nigeria and boast of having pioneering academics.
AKWA IBOM STATE – 7,081KMSQ
Akwa Ibom is the highest oil producing state in Nigeria. It is a Niger Delta state located in the South South geopolitical zone of the country.
This state is home to 2 major seaports and regarded as one of the most beautiful in Nigeria. 7,081kmsq is the land area of the state.
ENUGU STATE – 7,161KMSQ
Also a south east state, making it the 5th southeastern state on the list. It is the 8th smallest state in the country with a land area measured at 7,161kmsq and an important coal mining zone in the country.
The state is also an agricultural state. In terms of population, it ranks 22.
OSUN STATE – 9,251KMSQ
If the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was to be a state, it would have been the one on the 8th spot but since it is not a state, then the spot had to go to Osun state.
So technically, Osun state is the 8th smallest and it has a land area extent of 9,251kmsq and home to the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University. It is a south western state.
BAYELSA STATE – 10,773KMSQ
Bayelsa state is the 10th smallest state in Nigeria in terms of landmass. This state has a land area of 10,773kmsq.
However, it is the least populated state in Nigeria and also have the smallest number of Local Government Areas (8 in number).
This state is located in the Niger Delta region and also one of the largest oil producers in the country.
