10 Poorest States in Nigeria (2024)

Various natural and mineral resources abound in Nigeria. As a consequence of the availability of these assets, economic growth is facilitated, and the revenue of the area of origin rises. There is likely a sizable cache of these materials somewhere in the country’s more than 36 individual states. Even the states creating more than their fair share of money are paying out above-average amounts in capital gains. These are the least developed regions in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released its newest National Multidimensional Poverty Index study on Thursday 17 November 2022, finding that 63 percent of Nigerians were poor owing to low health, education, income, and safety levels.

The Multidimensional Poverty Index is an approach to measuring poverty that takes into account several factors, such as access to healthcare, education, stable employment, and protection from natural disasters.

Read: 10 Causes of poverty in Nigeria and solutions

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Sokoto has the highest poverty rate in Nigeria at 81.2%. The report also showed that 133 million people in Nigeria are living in extreme poverty.

Here, we’ll take a look at the states that, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, have the worst combination of infrastructure, economy, competence level, security, and administration and then spotlight them.

Using this data, we shall create a list of the 10 poorest states in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s poorest states

State	Poverty Rate
Sokoto	81.2%
Katsina	74.5%
Adamawa	74.2%
Gombe	74.2%
Jigawa	74.1%
Plateau	74.1%
Ebonyi	74%
Bauchi	73%
Kebbi	72%
Zamfara	71.5%

Sokoto – 81.2% poverty rate

The city of Sokoto may be found far up in the North West corner of Nigeria. The climate is hostile, with average highs of 45 degrees Celsius.

Over eighty percent (80%) of the people who live in Sokoto work in agriculture of some kind, and much of the state is rural.

Katsina – 74.5% poverty rate

Compared to other North Western Nigeria states, Katsina has the second highest poverty rate.

Manufacturing receives a meagre N276 million (0.2%) of the economic sector’s total capital allocation, the Ministry of Women Affairs’ Women Empowerment Program receives only N214,019,000 (0.1%), and the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ Youth Empowerment Program receives just N100 million (0.08%) (Youth Action Plan).

Adamawa – 74.2% poverty rate

Adamawa, a state that was established in 1991 from the ruins of the defunct Gongola state, has recently been tormented by the Islamist terrorist organization Boko Haram, which has hampered the region’s attempts at economic growth and development.

However, the capital city of Yola is undergoing rapid change as new roads, street lighting, traffic lights, and other necessities of a modern metropolis are being constructed. However, other regions of the state are still very much in need of development, so circumstances are far from ideal.

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Gombe – 74.2% poverty rate

Gombe, like Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Adamawa, and Bauchi, is a state in Nigeria’s North East. Terrorists continue to assault it on an irregular basis.

Some drivers in Gombe have complained about the terrible condition of the roads. Some of the roadways have been completely washed away by the flood. 

Jigawa – 74.1% poverty rate

Jigawa, in central Nigeria, was created out of the former Kano state.

Kano State and Katsina State border Jigawa to the west, Bauchi State to the east, and Yobe State to the northeast. Due to its proximity to The Republic of Niger’s Zinder Region to the north, Jigawa has a rare chance for international trade. The government of Niger wasted little time seizing the opportunity, creating a Free Trade Zone in the border town of Maigatari.

Plateau – 74.1% poverty rate

Plateau State, Nigeria’s twelfth biggest, can be found in the country’s centre. Plateau is known for its pleasant weather, the abundance of exciting tourism destinations, and the bustling state capital, Jos.

Terrorist attacks and ethnic conflicts, particularly those involving Fulani herders, are a constant threat to the state.

Read: Most developed regions in Nigeria (Geopolitical zones)

Ebonyi – 74% poverty rate

Ebonyi is the only state in the top 10 poorest located in the south. The state was founded in 1996 by Gen. Sanni Abacha. There is widespread corruption among state officials, and the EFCC has lately frozen local governments’ funds in the state.

Considering that the vast majority of natives lack formal education, subsistence farming is the norm. As the nation’s main rice-growing region, the state is an economic powerhouse.

Since the roads have been steadily improving, Ebonyi is one of the states that can brag about having an excellent motorable road. The administration of the state is committed to fostering economic growth across the state through investing in necessary infrastructure.

Bauchi – 73% poverty rate

In 1976, the North-Eastern States of Nigeria were divided, and the resulting new state, Bauchi, is located in the country’s northern region.

Land of Freedom and Tourism is what the Hausa name Bauchi implies. However, the small number of recent Boko Haram attacks in the region has discouraged visitors.

New roadways have been built across the state. The state government reportedly finished ten roads, with another 19 in various stages of development.

Kebbi – 72% poverty rate

Kebbi State was split off from Sokoto State in 1991, becoming a new state in Nigeria’s North West. It shares boundaries with the states of Sokoto and Niger, as well as the Dosso Region of Niger and the country of Benin.

Although the state’s economy seems to be on the rise, few details are available. Among Nigeria’s airports, the newly completed Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) is one of the most cutting-edge. It is intended to be a financial boon to the state.

Zamfara – 71.5% poverty rate. 

Zamfara is a state in northwest Nigeria that was created out of the Old Sokoto state in 1996. The roads in Zamfara are in acceptable condition. Some roads are serviceable, but others have several potholes.

Because farming is such a vital industry to the state’s economy, it serves as the inspiration for the official motto: “farming is our pride.”

The Zamfara Budget Working Group has criticized the governor for the “alarming scale of economic hazards and their possible harm to the economic growth of the state.”

Read: Sources of Local Government revenue in Nigeria

Conclusion

Bad leaders, insecurity, corruption among its officials and population, the global world order, mishandling of resources, etc., all contribute to the plight of the poor in Nigeria.

With the use of statistics collected by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, this article provides an in-depth analysis of the ten poorest states in Nigeria.

Read: Richest States in Nigeria by GDP