Nigeria Population

Nigeria is both the largest economy and the most populous country in Africa. Still, many people live in extreme poverty. The country is rich in natural resources, but is characterized by many years of extensive corruption and conflict.

Key figures and facts

• Capital: Abuja
• Ethnic groups: Over 250 people groups. Hausa/fulani 29%, yoruba 21%, igbo 18%, ijaw 10%, kanuri 4%, ibibio 3.5%, tiv 2.5%
• Language: English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani and over 500 other languages.
• Religion: Muslims 50%, Christians 40%, traditional religions 10%
• Population: 183 523 000
• Control Form: Federal Republic
• Area: 923 770 km2
• Currency: Naira
• GNP per capita: 5 861 PPP $
• National Day: October 1st

Population of Nigeria

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous state. Due to the ethnic conditions, the question of the size of the population is politically sensitive, and there is doubt about the accuracy of the data. In 2015, the population was projected at 182 202 million (UN). The annual population growth in the period 1993–2003 was estimated at 2.8 percent. The mortality rate for children under five is approximately 200 per 1,000 children.

Both birth and death rates are high, at 40.6 and 17.2 per thousand respectively, and Nigeria has a relatively “young” population: 42 percent of the population is under 15, almost three-quarters under 30, and only 3.1 percent is 65 years or older. The average age is 46 years for women and 45 for men. According to the UN, about 5.5 percent of the adult population lives with HIV/AIDS.

Population of Nigeria by Year (Historical)

Year	Population	Annual Growth Rate	Population Density	Global Rank
2020	206,139,478	2.580%	226.3355	7
2019	200,963,488	2.600%	220.6524	7
2018	195,874,572	2.620%	215.0649	7
2017	190,873,133	2.640%	209.5735	7
2016	185,960,130	2.660%	204.1791	7
2015	181,137,337	2.710%	198.8838	7
2010	158,503,086	2.680%	174.0321	7
2005	138,864,905	2.580%	152.4699	9
2000	122,283,739	2.530%	134.2643	10
1995	107,948,224	2.540%	118.5242	10
1990	95,212,339	2.650%	104.5406	10
1985	83,562,674	2.620%	91.7496	10
1980	73,423,522	2.990%	80.6171	11
1975	63,374,187	2.510%	69.5832	11
1970	55,982,033	2.230%	61.4668	11
1965	50,127,810	2.120%	55.0391	13
1960	45,138,347	1.900%	49.5608	13
1955	41,085,989	1.650%	45.1114	13
1950	37,859,637	0.000%	41.5689	13

Major Cities in Nigeria by Population

Rank	City	Population
1	Lagos	8,999,889
2	Kano	3,625,957
3	Ibadan	3,564,997
4	Kaduna	1,581,991
5	Port Harcourt	1,148,554
6	Benin City	1,124,947
7	Maiduguri	1,112,338
8	Zaria	975,042
9	Aba	897,449
10	Jos	816,713
11	Ilorin	814,081
12	Oyo	735,961
13	Enugu	688,751
14	Abeokuta	592,989
15	Abuja	590,289
16	Sokoto	563,750
17	Onitsha	560,955
18	Warri	535,912
19	Ebute Ikorodu	535,508
20	Okene	479,067
21	Calabar	461,685
22	Uyo	436,495
23	Katsina	432,038
24	Ado-Ekiti	424,229
25	Akure	420,483
26	Bauchi	316,038
27	Ikeja	313,085
28	Makurdi	292,534
29	Minna	291,794
30	Efon-Alaaye	279,208
31	Ilesa	277,793
32	Owo	276,463
33	Umuahia	264,551
34	Ondo	256,894
35	Ikot Ekpene	254,695
36	Iwo	250,332
37	Gombe	250,147
38	Jimeta	248,037
39	Atani	229,889
40	Gusau	226,746
41	Mubi	225,594
42	Ikire	222,049
43	Owerri	214,927
44	Shagamu	214,447
45	Ijebu-Ode	209,064
46	Ugep	200,165
47	Nnewi	193,876
48	Ise-Ekiti	189,952
49	Ila Orangun	179,081
50	Saki	178,566
51	Bida	171,545
52	Awka	167,627
53	Ijero-Ekiti	167,521
54	Inisa	164,050
55	Suleja	162,024
56	Sapele	161,575
57	Osogbo	156,583
58	Kisi	155,399
59	Gbongan	139,374
60	Ejigbo	138,246
61	Funtua	136,700
62	Igboho	136,653
63	Buguma	135,293
64	Ikirun	134,129
65	Abakaliki	133,991
66	Okrika	133,160
67	Amaigbo	127,189
68	Lafia	127,125
69	Gashua	125,706
70	Modakeke	119,418
71	Bama	118,010
72	Ilobu	117,978
73	Jalingo	117,646
74	Okigwe	115,388
75	Offa	113,719
76	Esuk Oron	111,922
77	Nsukka	110,906
78	Nguru	110,903
79	Hadejia	110,642
80	Ijebu-Igbo	109,150
81	Uromi	108,497
82	Birnin Kebbi	108,053
83	Pindiga	106,211
84	Azare	105,576
85	Nkpor	103,622
86	Ikere-Ekiti	102,943
87	Lafiagi	102,668
88	Kontagora	98,643
89	Kuje	97,256
90	Yola	95,895
91	Biu	94,894
92	Olupona	94,891
93	Lere	93,179
94	Wukari	92,822
95	Igbo-Ora	92,608
96	Emure-Ekiti	90,534
97	Isieke	89,879
98	Ifo	88,161
99	Igede-Ekiti	87,171
100	Effium	86,834
101	Idanre	86,357
102	Potiskum	85,891
103	Keffi	85,800
104	Makoko	85,729
105	Epe	84,600
106	Gamboru	84,561
107	Ogaminana	84,262
108	Ihiala	83,154
109	Ipoti	82,002
110	Lalupon	81,019
111	Ughelli	79,875
112	Bende	79,507
113	Oke Mesi	79,452
114	Kafanchan	79,411
115	Ikom	78,992
116	Agulu	78,910
117	Daura	78,166
118	Numan	77,506
119	Kagoro	76,897
120	Ode	75,352
121	Igbo-Ukwu	75,113
122	Aramoko-Ekiti	74,380
123	Igbara-Odo	74,010
124	Ozubulu	73,701
125	Aku	73,631
126	Oyan	73,511
127	Jega	73,384
128	Asaba	73,263
129	Ohafia-Ifigh	73,244
130	Afikpo	71,755
131	Apomu	71,545
132	Fiditi	71,350
133	Orita Eruwa	70,916
134	Eha Amufu	70,668
135	Malumfashi	70,598
136	Kaura Namoda	69,614
137	Enugu-Ukwu	68,674
138	Idah	68,592
139	Obonoma	68,473
140	Agbor	67,499
141	Ezza-Ohu	67,303
142	Uga	64,068
143	Nkwerre	62,862
144	Auchi	62,796
145	Lokoja	60,468
146	Ekpoma	59,507
147	Ijebu-Jesa	51,619
148	Kabba	49,758
149	Ilaro	46,888
150	Damaturu	45,889
151	Argungu	45,473
152	Gumel	42,631
153	Geidam	41,256
154	Talata Mafara	38,934
155	Gummi	38,633
156	Otan Ayegbaju	37,672
157	Ogoja	37,355
158	Katsina-Ala	36,611
159	Itu	36,247
160	Kumo	35,601
161	Oke Ila	34,889
162	Pankshin	31,405
163	Nasarawa	30,838
164	Kachia	30,782
165	Dikwa	28,915
166	Moriki	28,624
167	Patigi	28,174
168	Wamba	27,026
169	Baro	26,710
170	Okuta	26,478
171	Birnin Kudu	26,454
172	Badagry	26,272
173	Ogwashi-Uku	26,026
174	Eket	25,458
175	Kamba	25,457
176	Daura	25,178
177	Takum	24,711
178	Igbeti	24,579
179	Zungeru	24,336
180	Zuru	24,227
181	Yenagoa	24,224
182	Tegina	23,926
183	Awgu	23,064
184	Wudil	22,955
185	Nafada	22,809
186	Ibi	22,646
187	Sofo-Birnin-Gwari	22,269
188	Dutsen Wai	21,951
189	Kaiama	21,786
190	Ubiaja	21,671
191	Otukpa	21,575
192	Oguta	21,528
193	Damboa	21,460
194	Jebba	21,377
195	Garko	21,030
196	Mokwa	21,017
197	Gaya	20,848
198	Tambuwal	20,821
199	Elele	20,509
200	Monguno	20,186
201	Kwale	20,115
202	Gembu	19,770
203	Obudu	19,557
204	Gombi	19,505
205	Magumeri	19,252
206	Degema Hulk	19,112
207	Enugu-Ezike	18,878
208	Kari	18,701
209	Darazo	18,304
210	Rano	17,861
211	Kiyawa	17,593
212	Deba	17,560
213	Igbor	17,555
214	Babana	17,506
215	Egbe	17,501
216	Gwadabawa	17,375
217	Beli	17,356
218	Illela	17,350
219	Dutse	17,018
220	Dukku	16,850
221	Bonny	16,757
222	Bode Saadu	16,508
223	Rijau	16,502
224	Kumagunnam	16,446
225	Lapai	16,331
226	Burutu	16,299
227	Gwarzo	16,192
228	Kukawa	15,966
229	Akwanga	15,874
230	Billiri	15,865
231	Iperu	15,824
232	Gwaram	15,695
233	Soba	15,604
234	Marte	15,596
235	Ibeto	15,454
236	Bukuru	15,429
237	Anchau	15,427
238	Ado Odo	15,331
239	Ganye	15,067
240	Gwoza	15,065
241	Ajaokuta	15,033
242	Doma	14,986
243	Isanlu-Itedoijowa	14,976
244	Udi	14,887
245	Icheu	14,593
246	Igarra	14,536
247	Ankpa	14,519
248	Lere	14,509
249	Omu-Aran	14,366
250	Ringim	14,352
251	Yashikera	14,343
252	Jibia	14,313
253	Kajuru	14,278
254	Gassol	14,215
255	Shani	14,194
256	Ugbokpo	14,107
257	Dapchi	13,966
258	Ngala	13,920
259	Misau	13,846
260	Gandi	13,829
261	Ago Are	13,808
262	Ore	13,794
263	Uruobo-Okija	13,787
264	Damasak	13,763
265	Gamawa	13,438
266	Sauri	13,334
267	Konduga	13,289
268	Dindima	13,245
269	Ikang	13,194
270	Yelwa	13,123
271	Langtang	13,061
272	Kazaure	13,058
273	Wurno	12,976
274	Kujama	12,856
275	Okeho	12,853
276	Madagali	12,808
277	Obubra	12,774
278	Ahoada	12,737
279	Boju	12,703
280	Agenebode	12,619
281	Ajasse Ipo	12,607
282	Runka	12,554
283	Lau	12,546
284	Kafin Hausa	12,498
285	Bakori	12,493
286	Dutsin-Ma	12,484
287	Abak	12,451
288	Dakingari	12,447
289	Bokkos	12,427
290	Gorgoram	12,359
291	Zango	12,260
292	Dange	12,258
293	Kaltungo	12,246
294	Amper	12,101
295	Miringa	12,006
296	Zalanga	11,959
297	Vom	11,889
298	Obiaruku	11,825
299	Madala	11,660
300	Toungo	11,648
301	Agaie	11,631
302	Machina	11,596
303	Mutum Biyu	11,591
304	Kangiwa	11,590
305	Bori	11,582
306	Burumburum	11,578
307	Bara	11,562
308	Goniri	11,562
309	Uba	11,537
310	Anka	11,530
311	Omoku	11,514
312	Kafarati	11,424
313	Bin Yauri	11,390
314	Maru	11,385
315	Gagarawa	11,339
316	Gujba	11,248
317	Opi	11,126
318	Mallammaduri	11,045
319	Twon-Brass	11,011
320	Dekina	10,956
321	Bebeji	10,876
322	Arochukwu	10,665
323	Takai	10,637
324	Panyam	10,604
325	Koton-Karfe	10,598
326	Katagum	10,491
327	Zaki Biam	10,359
328	Goronyo	10,349
329	Etinan	10,207
330	Aliade	10,181
331	Wawa	10,089
332	Gabarin	10,049
333	Gwandu	9,907
334	Madara	9,904
335	Maiyama	9,903
336	Wagini	9,875
337	Buga	9,802
338	Benisheikh	9,714
339	Ete	9,694
340	Bugana	9,626
341	Danja	9,625
342	Kankara	9,498
343	Amagunze	9,487
344	Alapa	9,473
345	Yuli	9,438
346	Kura	9,426
347	Tsafe	9,256
348	Orlu	9,240
349	Birniwa	9,223
350	Shinkafi	9,213
351	Ejirin	9,093
352	Holma	9,088
353	Wuyo	9,078
354	Ifaki	9,074
355	Ogurugu	9,024
356	Kwatarkwashi	8,973
357	Mahuta	8,936
358	Dambatta	8,829
359	Baissa	8,800
360	Mberubu	8,793
361	Musawa	8,793
362	Ruma	8,746
363	Igabi	8,729
364	Rabah	8,596
365	Imeko	8,516
366	Bokani	8,513
367	Agbabu	8,500
368	Auna	8,479
369	Ochobo	8,456
370	Orodo	8,416
371	Owode	8,402
372	Kibiya	8,389
373	Hunkuyi	8,354
374	Bomadi	8,291
375	Bena	8,250
376	Umunede	8,220
377	Badeggi	8,172
378	Sade	8,112
379	Isara	8,094
380	Adoru	8,092
381	Kwolla	8,089
382	Wasagu	8,046
383	Ngurore	8,028
384	Samamiya	7,976
385	Duku	7,903
386	Suya	7,825
387	Siluko	7,809
388	Dan Gora	7,796
389	Mashi	7,734
390	Hinna	7,715
391	Iho	7,665
392	Yandev	7,639
393	Konkwesso	7,576
394	Ilare	7,574
395	Ifon	7,512
396	Dan Sadau	7,457
397	Kuta	7,417
398	Mando	7,389
399	Zadawa	7,384
400	Idi Iroko	7,376

Ethnic groups

The population is divided into over 200 ethnic groups, each with its own language and culture. The largest ethnic groups are Hausa and Fulani, which together make up about 30 percent of the population (2005), Yoruba, which constitutes about 20 percent, and ibo, which makes up 18 percent.

Hausa is the dominant group in the north. Intensive agriculture has provided the basis for crafts and trade.

Fulani are traditionally cattle herdsmen, but most have gradually taken up farming and become resident. Fulani is located in the forest and savanna area which extends from the border with Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east.

Yoruba is a farming people living in the fertile areas of the southwest.

Ibo (igbo) makes up the majority of the population in the southeast. They are traditionally arable farmers, but moved in early to the cities and were long the dominant urban population. Ibo is divided into a number of tribes, each with its different dialects of the ibo language.

Other prominent but smaller groups are edo and Ibibio, both in the forest belt in the south, tive and Nupe in the middle belt and Kanuri in Chad pool. The Middle Belt shows the greatest ethnic and linguistic variation; there are 180 different languages.

Nigeria has a large urban population according to African conditions, about 40 percent live in cities. Major cities are Lagos, Ibadan, Ogbomosho, Kano, Oshogbo, Ilorin, Abeokuta and Port Harcourt.

Religion

The main difference between the spread of Islam and Christianity in Nigeria goes north-south, but eventually many Nigerians have settled in other parts of the country than their core area. In addition, a large proportion of the Yorubis are Muslims.

Almost 50 percent of the population is Christian, with the majority in Eastern Nigeria. The Muslims, mainly Sunni Muslims, also account for just under 50 percent, with the center of gravity in the north and west. Around 5 percent are supporters of various local ethnic religions.

For most people, religion and spirituality play an important role in their lives and are an important part of their identity. Many practice a mixture of modern and traditional religions.

Language

English is the official language. The most widely used African language is the Hausa, which serves as a lingua franca across much of Northern Nigeria. Other important languages ​​are full, yoruba, edo, ibo (igbo) and ibibio.

The use of the Arabic alphabet meant that full and hausa were among the first African written languages ​​next to Swahili in East Africa.