Have you ever wondered which Nigerian state is the largest in terms of landmass? Have you heard about Africa’s Giant? Nigeria is a huge country that has been divided into several states. But, in terms of landmass, which Nigerian state is the largest? Well, let’s check out the largest states in Nigeria by land mass.
The northern section of the country contains the majority of Nigeria’s largest states in terms of landmass. We’ll provide you with the names of such states, as well as their sizes and locations, in this post. Nigeria is the world’s 32nd largest country, with a total area of 923,763 km2 (just behind Tanzania).
Top 10 Largest States In Nigeria By Land Mass
Nigeria has 36 states in all, including the Federal Capital Territory. However, the land is not shared evenly. In other words, the land area of each of the states varies greatly. That is, there are some incredibly enormous states among the 36; some are even larger than numerous countries across the world.
So, if you’ve been attempting to figure it out, without further delay, here is our list of Nigeria’s top ten largest states:
10. Kebbi state
Kebbi is Nigeria’s tenth-largest state by land (36,800 km2). It is located in northwestern Nigeria and is primarily populated by Hausa and Fulani people. Birnin Kebbi is the state’s capital and is also one of the state’s largest cities and commercial centers.
Sokoto State, Niger State, Zamfara State, Dosso Region in the Republic of Niger, and the nation of Benin all border Kebbi State.
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9. Kwara state
With a geographic area of 36,825 km2, Kwara is Nigeria’s ninth-largest state. It’s worth mentioning that Kwara is the first Yoruba-controlled state on our list.
Kwara is part of the North Central geopolitical zone, which is also known as the Middle Belt. Ilorin is the state capital. Yoruba, Nupe, Bariba, and Fulani are the main ethnic groupings.
The Yorubas make up the majority of the tribes of Kwara, whereas the last three are significant groups.
8. Adamawa
In terms of land area, Adamawa State is ranked eighth in Nigeria. In total, it covers around 36,917 km2 of land.
Adamawa was once a component of the dissolved state of Gongola. After Taraba was split out of it in 1991, it was renamed Adamawa. Yola is the capital of Adamawa.
7. Zamfara state
Zamfara state is Nigeria’s seventh-largest by area, with 39,762 km2. It is located in Nigeria’s northern area, with Gusau as its capital. The Fulanis and Hausas are the state’s two largest ethnic groups, with various other ethnic groups accounting for the rest of the population.
In 1996, the then-Head of State, General Sani Abacha, split Sokoto state into Zamfara. Zamfara is a state in northern Nigeria populated primarily by Hausa and Fulani.
6. Yobe state
Yobe is Nigeria’s sixth-largest state, with 45,502 square kilometers. Damaturu is the state’s capital. Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Jigawa are the four states that border the state. To the north of the Republic of Niger, it shares boundaries with the Diffa and Zinder regions.
Banbangida cut Yobe out of old Borno State on August 27, 1991, and it became a separate entity on August 27, 1991. Bade, Bursari, Damaturu, Geidam, Gujba, Gulani, Fika, Fune, Jakusko, Karasuwa, Machina, Nangere, Nguru, Potiskum, Tarmuwa, Yunusari, and Yusufari are among Yobe’s 21 local government areas.
5. Bauchi state
Bauchi State is located in northern Nigeria, directly behind Kaduna, and ranks fifth in terms of land area. It is also home to one of the country’s largest cities.
When the previous North-Eastern State was divided up in 1976, the state was formed. It originally included the territory that is now Gombe State, which became a separate state in 1996.
Bauchi State is 45,837 square kilometers in size. Bauchi has 20 local government areas as a whole.
4. Kaduna state
In terms of landmass, Kaduna is one of the biggest states in Nigeria. It is situated in Nigeria’s northwestern geopolitical zone, with a land area of around 46,053 km2. The state capital is Kaduna, which is also one of the state’s commercial centers.
The Baju, Hausa, and Gbagyi tribes, among others, dominate Kaduna State, which has 23 Local Government Areas. Kaduna state is one of Nigeria’s education hubs, with numerous colleges and the country’s most respected university.
3. Taraba state
Taraba, another state in northeastern Nigeria, has the third-largest area in the country, measuring 54,473 square kilometers, after being formed out of the former Gongola State in 1991. There are now 2,300,736 people living there.
The Taraba River, which runs through the state’s southern region, is named after it. Jalingo is the capital. Among the tribes of Taraba are the Mumuyeng, Kuteb, and Gurnam.
2. Borno State
Borno State is located in northern Nigeria. In fact, it is Nigeria’s second-largest state. It was founded in 1976 when the North-Eastern State was split up, and its capital is Maiduguri. Borno had the greatest landmass in Nigeria in its earlier existence.
However, Yobe was taken out of it in 1991, resulting in a land size reduction from over 100,000 km2. The Kanuri are the dominant ethnic group in the state.
In the southern section of the state, lesser ethnic groups such as Lamang, Babur, and Marghi can also be found. It is divided into 27 Local Government Areas with a total area of 70,898 square kilometers.
1. Niger State
Niger state is Nigeria’s largest and is located in the north-central section of the country, also known as the middle belt. Niger is considerably larger than countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Israel, to name a few.
The state of Niger is located in central Nigeria. It is Nigeria’s largest state in terms of landmass, covering 76,363 square kilometers, or about 8.3% of the country’s total area. Minna is the state capital, and Bida Kontagora and Suleja are its other notable cities.
It was founded in 1976, during General Murtala Mohammed’s reign. Most of Niger State’s indigenous tribes are the Nupe, Gbagyi, Kamuku, Kambari, Dukawa, and Koro. The Niger River is the state’s name.
The Kainji Dam and the Shiroro Dam, two of Nigeria’s main hydroelectric power facilities, are located in Niger State.
Niger State and Gurara Local Government are home to the spectacular Gurara Falls. Kainji National Park is Nigeria’s largest national park, and it includes Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve, and the Zugurma Game Reserve. It is located in Niger State.
Which State Is The Largest State In Nigeria By Land Mass?
Niger State is the largest state in Nigeria with a land mass of 76,363 square kilometers.