Top 10 largest states in Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the largest countries in Africa. It covers the total area of 923, 768 square kilometers. The Federal Republic of Nigeria consists of 36 states and one Federal Capital Territory. Nigeria is considered as The Giant of Africa, because of its large owning share of African population and economy. Nigeria is the largest country by population in Africa and seventh in the world. Nigeria is considered to be an emerging market and the largest economy in Africa. It`s the 20th largest economy in the world. It means that international investors are highly interested in giving some funds to the states of Nigeria. Therefore, what is the largest state in Nigeria by land mass? Check top 10 largest states in Nigeria!

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Kebbi State 36 800 sq. km

Kebbi state was created in 1991. The capital of the state is Birnin-Kebbi. The major towns of the state include Yelwa, Argungu and Birnin-Kebbi. Kebbi State is currently divided into 21 local government areas. Kebbi state is located in the North West part of Nigeria and occupies 36 800 square kilometers.

The economy sector of the state is presented by agricultural branch. The state is rich with fertile lands and climate conditions. Therefore, due to these factors, agriculture presents the backbone of the revenue of the state. Kebbi State produces onions, maize, corn, potatoes, cassava, beans, rice, and vegetables. It also produces fruits, like guava, cashew, and mango. Kebbi state is provided with viable rivers that give additional fertility factor to the soil. Kebbi is not only one the largest state in Nigeria, but it also one of the largest dairy product producers in Nigeria. The state is also rich in the minerals, like gypsum, clay, salt and limestone.

The overall estimated population of the state is more than 3,2 million people. One of the largest tourist attractions is the Argungu Fishing Festival.

Kwara State 36 825 sq. km

Kwara state is located in the North West part of Nigeria. It`s listed in the top 10 largest state in Nigeria. The state occupies the territory of 36 825 square kilometers. The Kwara state was formed in 1967. The current executive governor is Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The main source of the revenue of the region is the agricultural sector. The state produces and exports crops, like benseed, tobacco, kolanut, coffee, cocoa, and cotton. The farmers of the state are constantly advised with the Agricultural Research Project of the region. Kwara state is also rich in the mineral resources, like granite rocks, quartz, clay, limestone, feldspar, and kaolin. The economy of the state is also provided with industries, like United Match Company, Resinoplast Plastic Industry, Kwara Breweries, Phamatech Nigeria Limited, Kwara Furniture Company and Tate and Lyle Company.

The overall estimated population of one of the largest state in Nigeria is 2, 371 million people. Kwara State is rich in the cultural heritage. The Awon Festival attracts domestic tourists and tourist from the whole Africa continent. Other major attractions are Egungun festival, Owu Falls, and the Esie Stone.

Adamawa State 36 917 sq. km

Adamawa state is one of the largest states in Nigeria by land mass. It was created in 1991. The capital of the state is Yola. The current executive governor is Jibrila Bindow. The state gets its name from Madibo Adama, who was a Fulani leader in the 19th century. The state covers the territory of 36 917 square kilometers. It`s mostly mountainous land which is traversed by rivers.

The major sector of the economy for the region is farming. The state is divided into two vegetation zones, the Northern Guinea Savannah Zone and the Sub-Sudan zone. Adamawa state produces crops, like rice, millet, guinea corn, yam, maize, cassava. The village communities are mainly located on the bank of the rivers. Their main revenue sources are cattle and fishing. The state is traversed with the network of roads which connects it to the whole country. Moreover, air and water routes also keep the state connected to Nigeria.

The overall population is estimated around 3,168 million people. Adamawa State has a lot of tourist attractions, like hunting, wrestling contests, installation of chiefs and harvest festivals. It also has historical places, like Lamido`s palace.

Zamfara State 39 762 sq. km

One of the most largest state in Nigeria is Zamfara State, which occupies the territory of 39 762 square kilometers. The capital of the state is Gusau. The current executive governor is Mahmuda Aliyu Shinakafi Abdula-Aziz Abubakar Yari. The state was created in 1996. It`s currently situated in the North-West Flank of Nigeria.

Over 80% of the state`s population is engaged in the agricultural sector. The major production crops are groundnut, cotton, beans, tobacco, rice, maize and guinea corn. The government also endorsed various entrepreneurs to invest funds into the state. These funds were implemented into the Gusau Oil Mill, Gusau Bakery, Zamfara Textile Industries Limited, Gusau Sweets Factory.

Zamfara holds various tourist attractions which are provided religious and historical value. One of these historical sightings is Jata – it`s an ancient settlement. It was used for the practices of the traditional religion believes. The overall population of this one of the largest states in Nigeria is 3, 259 million people.

Yobe State 45 502 sq.km

Yobe state was created in 1991. It`s situated in the North East part of Nigeria. It`s related to the top 10 largest state in Nigeria as it`s landmass is 45 502 square kilometers. Yobe state is mainly located in the dry savanna belt. Therefore, the overall climate of the state is dry and hot.

More than 80% of the population of the state is employed in the agricultural sector. Their main source of revenue is farming. Nevertheless, Yobe state is considered to be one of the largest states in Nigeria rich on minerals, like quartz, kaolin, and gypsum. The agricultural products of the state are cotton, beans, groundnuts and gum Arabic. Yobe has one of the largest cattle markets in West Africa.

The overall population of the state is estimated around 2, 321 million people. The current executive governor is Ibrahim Geidam.

Bauchi State 45 837 sq. km

Bauchi State is one of the largest states in Nigeria with total area coverage of 45 837 square kilometers. The state was created in 1976. It`s situated in the North East part of Nigeria. The capital of the state is the city of Bauchi. The state consists of 20 local government areas. The current executive governor is Mohammed Abubakar. Bauchi is derived from the Bauchi town, which was named after the brave hunter Baushe. The name can be translated from Hausa as: “No animal can escape an arrow or a trap of a hunter.”

The main sector of the Bauchi state economy is filled with the agricultural branch. Bauchi produces products, like guinea corn, groundnut, millet, rice, and maize. The state also provides cattle. The main manufacturing industries of the state are focused in the area of Beverages, Food, Ceramics, Water, Iron, and Steel.

The overall population of the state is estimated around 4, 676 million people. Bauchi State is blessed with tourism attractions, like the State Museum, Rock Paintings at Shira and Goji, Premier Game Reserve, Yankari Game Reserve, which is estimated as the biggest reserve in Africa.

Kaduna State 46 053 sq. km

Kaduna state was created in 1967. It`s one of the largest states in Nigeria by land mass. The overall land coverage is estimated at 46 053 square kilometers. Kaduna State is located in the Northern Nigeria. The capital of the state is the city of Kaduna. Zaria is another major town of the Kaduna State, and it`s considered to be the historical city of the Kaduna State.

The agricultural sector of the economy is the main branch of the Kaduna State revenue. More than 80% of people are engaged in the farming. Kaduna state cultivates and produces cassava, rice, ginger, millet, beans, tobacco, groundnut, cotton, and yam. Other major sources of the state`s revenue include poultry farming and animal rearing. Kaduna state rear pigs, goats, sheep and cattle.

Another Kaduna State richness is its minerals, like sillimanite graphite, gold, kyanite, amethyst, asbestos, serpentine and clay. These materials are used for the production of generators, electrodes, crucibles and pencils. Kaduna state is a modern industrialized state with more than 80 manufacturing and commercial industries. They provide a wide range of products, like groundnut oil, bicycles, cigarettes, carpets and dairy products. Major industries of the state include New Nigerian Packaging company, Phosphate Fertilizer Company, United Wire Products Limited, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria PLC and Ideal Flour Mills PLC.

The overall population of one of the top 10 largest state in Nigeria is 6, 066 million people. The current executive governor is Nasir El Rufai.

Taraba State 54 473 sq. km

Taraba state is one of the most largest states in Nigeria, which covers the territory of 54 473 square kilometers. It was created in 1991. Taraba state is situated in the North East part of Nigeria. The capital of the state is Jalingo. The current executive governor is Darius Ishaku.

The major occupation of the state is an agricultural sector. Taraba state produces cotton, groundnuts, tea, coffee, yam, cassava, millet, sorghum, rice, and maize. The state also provides a large number of cattle. People also overtake other livestock production, like pig farming, rabbit breeding, and poultry production. Communities, which live on the banks of the rivers Donga, Taraba and Benue, are also engaged in fishing and fish farming.

Taraba state can provide various tourist attractions, like Game Reserve in Gashala, Gumpti Park, Mambilla Tourist Center and the Nwunyu Fishing Festival. The overall population of this one of the largest state in Nigeria is 2, 3 million people.

Borno State 70 898 sq. km

Borno state gets the silver medal in the top 10 largest state in Nigeria. It was created in 1976. The capital of the state is Maiduguri. The current executive governor is Kashim Shettima. The state covers the territory of 70 898 square kilometers. Borno state is located in the North East corner of Nigeria. Borno State is inherited its name from the ancient Borno Empire. The major state ethnic group is Kanuri.

More than 80% of the state citizens are employed in the agricultural sector of the economy. Borno state produces rice, maize, cassava, yam, and groundnut. The economically active population is also engaged in the cattle rearing, pig farming, and rabbit breeding.

The overall population of the state is estimated around 4, 098 million people. Borno state is a perfect historical attraction site due to the many historical buildings and places reserved from the time of the Borno Empire.

Niger State 76 363 sq. km

The golden medalist in the top 10 largest state in Nigeria is Niger State. It covers the territory more than Kebbi and Kwara state combined – 76 363 square kilometers. Niger state was established in 1976. It`s located in the Middle Belt of Nigeria. The name of the state derives from the River Niger. The current executive governor is Abubakar Sani Bello.

More than 80% of the population is engaged in the agricultural sector of the economy. Niger State produces cassava, rice, groundnuts, and potatoes. The local people also take part in pig farming and cattle rearing.

The overall population of the largest state in Nigeria by land mass is 3, 95 million people. The State is considered to be a cradle for the Niger Delta Avengers.

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