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Top 10 Poorest States In Nigeria - Politics - Nairaland 4y2p65

Top 10 Poorest States In Nigeria (36037 Views)

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AmazingGenius: 9:05am On May 04
Most of the poorest states are concentrated in the northern region.

Nigeria has vast natural resources and potential for growth but it continues to grapple with high poverty rates, particularly in certain regions.

Most of the poorest states are concentrated in the northern region, where insecurity, infrastructural decay, weak institutions, and low human development indices persist. While various government interventions and programs have been introduced to tackle poverty, progress has been slow due to corruption, mismanagement, and lack of sustainable planning.

Here are the 10 poorest states in Nigeria, highlighting the unique socio-economic and structural challenges that each state faces.

1. Sokoto State

• Poverty Rate: 87.73%

• Region: North West

• Capital: Sokoto

• Population (2023): 5.52 million


Sokoto tops the list as the poorest state in Nigeria. Its economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, but extreme temperatures and poor irrigation limit productivity. Security challenges, including bandit attacks, have displaced farmers and worsened food shortages. Sokoto has poor infrastructure, high unemployment, and limited access to healthcare and education. The state struggles to provide basic needs for its residents.

2. Taraba State

• Poverty Rate: 87.72%

• Region: North East

• Capital: Jalingo

• Population (2023): 3.27 million


Despite being rich in natural resources and agricultural potential, Taraba suffers from underdeveloped infrastructure and security issues caused by communal clashes. These challenges have crippled its economy and left many residents dependent on low-yield subsistence farming. Inadequate access to education and healthcare has also contributed to its high poverty rate.

3. Jigawa State

• Poverty Rate: 87.02%

• Region: North West

• Capital: Dutse

• Population (2023): 5.83 million


Created in 1991, Jigawa depends heavily on agriculture. However, outdated farming methods, low rainfall, and poor access to education and healthcare continue to plague the state. Corruption and mismanagement of government programs have hindered progress, leaving the majority of the population in poverty.

4. Ebonyi State

• Poverty Rate: 79.76%

• Region: South East

• Capital: Abakaliki

• Population (2023): 3.32 million


Ebonyi is the only southern state on this list, reflecting that poverty is not solely a regional issue. With most of the population engaged in small-scale farming, poor soil quality and environmental degradation further limit productivity. Poor infrastructure and limited social services worsen the living conditions, and despite government initiatives, little progress has been made in reducing poverty.

5. Adamawa State

• Poverty Rate: 75.41%

• Region: North East

• Capital: Yola

• Population (2023): 4.25 million


Adamawa’s agricultural economy has been destabilized by years of insurgency, particularly from Boko Haram. Displacement and insecurity have disrupted farming and access to essential services. Poor infrastructure and limited investment in education and health continue to push the majority of its residents deeper into poverty.

6. Zamfara State

• Poverty Rate: 73.98%

• Region: North West

• Capital: Gusau

• Population (2023): 4.52 million


Zamfara’s economic and social challenges are deeply rooted in insecurity, high debt levels, and poor educational access. Banditry and communal conflicts have paralyzed agricultural activity, and with a growing number of out-of-school children, the future prospects for development remain grim.

7. Yobe State

• Poverty Rate: 72.34%

• Region: North East

• Capital: Damaturu

• Population (2023): 3.29 million


Yobe suffers from chronic insecurity due to insurgency, poor infrastructure, and limited access to healthcare and education. These challenges have led to widespread displacement, making it difficult for residents to lead stable, productive lives.

8. Kebbi State

• Poverty Rate: 60.11%

• Region: North West

• Capital: Birnin Kebbi

• Population (2023): 5.56 million


Kebbi struggles with high unemployment, poor infrastructure, and rising infant mortality rates. Despite some government programs, corruption and poor resource management hinder progress. Many citizens lack access to clean water, electricity, and adequate healthcare.

9. Gombe State

• Poverty Rate: 62.31%

• Region: North East

• Capital: Gombe

• Population (2023): 3.51 million


Though rich in agricultural potential, Gombe faces massive infrastructural deficits and youth unemployment. Poor road networks limit farmers’ access to markets, while a struggling education system and unreliable power supply stifle economic growth and entrepreneurship.

10. Bauchi State

• Poverty Rate: 61.53%

• Region: North East

• Capital: Bauchi

• Population (2023): 7.16 million


Bauchi is among the most populous of the poorest states. Agricultural activity is widespread, but poor soil, inconsistent rainfall, and limited infrastructure hamper productivity. Underfunded healthcare and educational systems further deepen the cycle of poverty.

Poverty remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, affecting millions of citizens and stalling the country’s economic development. To truly address poverty in these regions, Nigeria must prioritize inclusive development, security, and investments in human capital.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/poorest-state-in-nigeria-2025050209332442160

11 Likes 1 Share

tolu4you: 9:15am On May 04
Oga ooo

2 Likes

immortalcrown(m): 9:15am On May 04
Ebonyi is actually poor. But I have two questions.

1.
What percentage of poverty alleviation funds or programmes by the federal government gets to Ebonyi State?

2.
What is the Common Entrance Examination cut-off mark for Ebonyi State?

Do the comparisons if you still doubt the glaring tribalism and marginalisation that the East faces in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, those who use Monday sit-at-home order to mock the East are disappointed here as Enugu, Anambra, Abia and Imo are not on the list. They even published that the sit-at-home order has crippled the economy of the East.

Cruzmaster:
Ebonyi keep painting us black
Be realistic. Ebonyi is a very young State. Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra were together as one State. During that period, development was focused more on Enugu as the state capital. This also explains why Enugu is more developed than Anambra despite the fact that Anambra has richer people. Enugu and Ebonyi were later carved out to coexist as one State and they remained together as such for some years before Ebonyi was carved out of Enugu.

149 Likes 13 Shares

Homologous: 9:16am On May 04
Always, na dem

6 Likes

Cruzmaster: 9:16am On May 04
Ebonyi keep painting us black

23 Likes 2 Shares

mu2sa2: 9:16am On May 04
The problem is how to identify those who are truly poor. There are people in Nigeria who are classified as poor, that is, living on less than a dollar daily. But some of these people may have much more money at their disposal. Ordinarily you'd classify beggars as poor, but believe me many of them aren't poor at all, they're just preying on other people's generosity. A man recently narrated how he'd been giving a certain beggar 2k on Fridays, but later discovered that the beggar owns three keke that he's hiring out. The method they are using in assessing the poverty level is misleading and wrong.

40 Likes 4 Shares

Ernchibyke(m): 9:16am On May 04
Terrible statistics...
For years of power consolidation in the north, one will expect the opposite. They clamor for power yet don't lift a finger to better there region.

I just imagine a Southeasterner been president for just 2 term, the reform and transformation in the southeast will be unbelievable

51 Likes 6 Shares

Ikaeniyan0: 9:16am On May 04
It's a lie, Ebonyi is filled with billionaires

9 Likes 3 Shares

oluwaseunamos33(m): 9:16am On May 04
What of kogi?

41 Likes 2 Shares

tommy589(m): 9:16am On May 04
grin
×10 Nigeria revenue from free oil money, story won't change. What you work hard for doesn't go to waste

3 Likes 2 Shares

Dododudu(m): 9:16am On May 04
Yet, their priority is religion and the people from the south

15 Likes 1 Share

Umueme: 9:17am On May 04
Ha

Despite having the highest number of heads of states/presidents the region remains the poorest. There’s a reason they don’t want them to be literates.

14 Likes 3 Shares

tunwumi: 9:17am On May 04
Hummm
treatise: 9:17am On May 04
AmazingGenius:
[b]Most of the poorest states are concentrated in the northern region.


Source: https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/poorest-state-in-nigeria-2025050209332442160
Ebonyi was obviously added in form of Balancing Act.

29 Likes 1 Share

Iweakbro: 9:17am On May 04
Cruzmaster:
Ebonyi keep painting us black


Just imagine... Your brothers? This is why Anioma must not the southeast.

15 Likes

Dennisochampa: 9:17am On May 04
And yet the state governors are wealthy....
We need to learn how to hold these state thieves responsible for alot of these things.... Unless their states don't get federal allocation....
If your state gets federal allocation monthly... There is no reason for your state to be like this...

3 Likes

Eleph(m): 9:17am On May 04
Money Na Water!
Property Developers!
Importers & Exporters!
Investors!

4 Likes 1 Share

ucheemmadu18(m): 9:17am On May 04
Where is Ekiti?

14 Likes 1 Share

MrCGPA(m): 9:17am On May 04
Aq
bergs2: 9:17am On May 04
Somehow, some poor people in unmentioned states will be licking their tongues and be smiling quietly while muttering, "atleast am richer than some people"

20 Likes

Antichristian2: 9:18am On May 04
sad

Atiku's home dey there o!

3 Likes 1 Share

Ruke1990: 9:18am On May 04
Release the list of top 10 under performing governors instead because brainless governors made these people or states poor.

Let's highlight the underperformers for people to be educated about what their problems really are rather than pitch one tribe against another or one state against another. We can have:

List of top 10 most corrupt governors
List of top 50 under performing lawmakers
List of top 10 misfits amongst the ministers
List of senators who proposed zero bills in 4 years
List of 50 most under performing government agencies

13 Likes 5 Shares

Ofemannnu: 9:18am On May 04
SW has been the richest region in Nigeria even without Lagos.It has been so since the inception of Nigeria.
We should take another look at regionalism,biko.

23 Likes

Wealthoptulent(m): 9:20am On May 04
AAHHHH OKAY oo
AmazingGenius:
[b]Most of the poorest states are concentrated in the northern region.


Source: https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/poorest-state-in-nigeria-2025050209332442160

1 Like

elder1002(m): 9:20am On May 04
A STATE CAN BE RICH BUT FILLED WITH POOR People.

STATE THAT TASK ITS CITIZENS
STATE THAT UNDERPAYS WORKERS
STATE THAT ENRICHES ITS POLITICIANS


A POOR STATE CAN PRODUCE RICH PEOPLE BUT A RICH STATE MOSTIMES PROMOTES OPPRESSION AND POOR PEOPLE.

IF YOU CHECK WELL U WILL DISCOVER THIS STATE LISTED ABOVE HAVE CHEAP SERVICES AND GOODS.

ACCOMODATION IS CHEAP
TRANSPORTATION AFFORDABLE
FOOD IS VERY CHEAP AND AFFORDABLE

COMPARED TO LAGOS, ABUJA, PORTHARCOUT, DELTA AND OTHERS WHERE FOOD PRICES ARE HIGH, TRANSPORTATION EXPENSIVE AND HOUSES UNAFFORDABLE.

SALARY MAY BE HIGH BUT JUST HOUSE RENT ALONE SWALLOWS ALL YOUR 6 MONTHS SALARY.

YOU WORK AND DON'T EVEN HAVE EVIDENCE OF SAVINGS ..JUST WORKING FROM HAND TO MOUTH.

LIKE I SAID Earlier , A STATE MAY BE RICH BUT THE POVERTY LEVEL MAY BE HIGH.. PEOPLE LIVING BELOW STANDARD SUFFERING TO EXIST

9 Likes 3 Shares

WBman: 9:22am On May 04
D former governor of Ebonyi has hotels that are more than 10, houses that are more than 100...

Trillions of Naira on his disposal...

I swear to God, am not exaggerating

12 Likes

muyico(m): 9:23am On May 04
Including Lagos State and Oyo State

5 Likes

GeneralPula: 9:25am On May 04
Ofemannnu:
SW has been the richest region in Nigeria even without Lagos.It has been so since the inception of Nigeria.
We should take another look at regionalism,biko.
You’re correct..

Right from before white people came over, we’ve always got doings..

Regionalism is the way. This unitary drew us back a lot.

17 Likes

WBman: 9:26am On May 04
Umueme:
Ha

Despite having the highest number of heads of states/presidents the region remains the poorest. There’s a reason they don’t want them to be literates.
religion is the one factor taking d north downwards. They practise religion that is against progress and civilization

13 Likes 1 Share

malali: 9:26am On May 04
Please re-caption these caption.

These states are not poor, the wealth is held by a few people.
In Taraba state theophilus Danjuma is worth over 2 billion dollars,
In Sokoto state Ahmed Dasuki is worth over 1 billion dollars.
In Adamawa state Atiku and Indimi are worth atleast 8 billion dollars
In Ebonyi we have High Chief Ifeanyi Odii
In Zamfara Gen. Aliyu Gusau has over a billion dollars
In Kebbi Shehu Malami is worth a billion dollars


The wealth is concentrated by a few people. Its the governments responsibility to enforce that the wealth is spread.Since Lagos has a high GDP.The government should set up cooperatives boards in these places. Buy animals from local families, goats and cows, chickens, farm harvest and then arrange for them to be transported to Lagos.

These will help the small mom and pop families that raise animals and farm as a means of livelihood.Nigerians are not lazy,If you present a market.They will go to the farm. The bourgeoisie in these states do not care about the indigents, they are using their wealth to enslave them and guarantee servitude. (Ranka shi dade syndrome).....Rankowa ya dade !!!!

Nigerian government have not yet figured out how to get money to the grassroots. The wealth of a whole state is sometimes hijacked by 2-3 people in that whole state. The governor, his Godfather and a few other power-brokers.

20 Likes 5 Shares

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