Top 10 Least Populated States in Nigeria (2024)

Are you interested in knowing the least populated states in Nigeria? You are not alone; many don’t know which state is the smallest in the country. There are some people that think the states with the smallest land area are the least populated. That’s a wrong notion. Take Lagos for example, it has the smallest area yet, it is the second most populous state according to the 2006 census. In Nigeria, the least populated state is Bayelsa.

Had it been the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is a state, it would have been the least populated but since it is not a state, Bayelsa wears the crown. This post will discuss the top 10 least populated states in Nigeria with their figures.

Bayelsa State (1,703,358)

Bayelsa state is the least populous state in Nigeria at the moment. It is located in the oil rich zone of the Niger delta region and have it capital as Yenagoa.

This state is one of the largest oil producers in the country. It has the least number of Local Government Areas. Oil was first discovered in Bayelsa state, Oloibiri to be precise in 1959.

The state according to the 2006 census had a population of less than 2 million. The main ethnic group in Bayelsa state is Ijaw. Though this state is an oil producing state, it citizens live in abject poverty.

Nasarawa State (1,863,275)

Nasarawa state is located in the North Central part of the country, a zone loosely referred to by many as Middle belt. The city of Lafia is the capital of Nasarawa state.

This state is one of the states that shares border with the Federal Capital Territory. It is blessed with solid mineral which however are mined by artisans.

The most important economic activity in this state is agriculture. Just like Bayelsa, the census conducted in 2006 shows that it has a population of less than 2 million people.

Ebonyi State (2,173,501)

Ebonyi state is the third on the list of least populated states in Nigeria. Aside it low population status, it is also one of the poorest state in the country.

This state is located in the south east geopolitical zone and have the city of Abakaliki as it capital.

The most important economic activity in Ebonyi state is agriculture and it is a leading producer of some agricultural crops in Nigeria. It has a population of a little over 2 million.

Taraba State (2,300,736)

Taraba state is located in the northern part of the country and has the city of Jalingo as it capital.

The state is mostly and agriculture state.

The population of Taraba according to the 2006 census is little over 2 million just like Ebonyi although it is more populated than Ebonyi state.

Yobe State (2,321,591)

Yobe state in terms of area is the 6^th largest state in Nigeria.

However, this land area didn’t lead to a high populated as the state is having a population of about 2,321,591 people making it the 5^th least populated state in the country.

This state is located in the North East and one of the most terrorized states in the country.

Gombe State (2,353,879)

Gombe state with the city of Gombe as its capital is located in northern Nigeria.

In term of population, it ranks 6 in the country.

The most important economic activity in the state is agriculture.

Kwara State (2,371,089)

Kwara state is located in North central part of the country and has the city of Ilorin as its capital.

The state is the only Yoruba dominated state in Northern Nigeria.

The main economic activity in Kwara is agriculture.

Ekiti State (2,384,212)

Ekiti state is one of the poorest Yoruba states in Nigeria. It is also one of the smallest states and one of the least populated states in the country.

This state had produced the highest number of professors in Nigeria. It also boast of having some pioneer academicians.

Abia State (2,833,999)

Abia state is located in south eastern part of the country and made of predominantly the Igbo speaking people who are mostly Christians.

This is one of the states with oil deposits in the south east.

Cross River State (2,888,966)

Cross River is located in the south south and it is one of the least populated states in the country.

If you are looking for a state in the country that tourism could be said to be developed, then visit Cross River. It is home to the popular Obudu mountain resort among other interesting tourist destination.