Different states in Nigeria have contributed to the country’s growth in multiple sectors, but here are the states that have driven Nigeria’s growth.
An industrialized state is a more developed state, or “more economically developed state”, a sovereign state that has a highly developed economy and advanced technological infrastructure relative to other less industrialized states.
In this article, we have highlighted the top 10 most industrialized states in Nigeria;
- LAGOS
Lagos State, the centre of excellence is the most populous city in Nigeria with over 21 million people as of 2016. It covers the only 0.4th of Nigeria’s territorial land mass, making it the smallest state in the country.
Lagos is the largest urban dwelling in Nigeria and Africa. Lagos accounts for over 60% of industrial and commercial activities in the nation. Almost all companies located in Nigeria have their headquarters in Lagos. It is also home to the premier data centre in West Africa.
Lagos is financially viable, generating over 75% of its revenues independent of federal grants derived from oil revenues. It generates the highest internal revenue of all states in Nigeria.
The state is diverse in ethnicity due to local and global migration, though the dominant ethnic group is the Yoruba tribe. Traffic congestion and pollution is an everyday thing in this Lagos State. Despite the economic growth, economic disparities among the population have become a phenomenon in Lagos.
- RIVERS STATE
River State, the treasure base is the centre of Nigeria’s oil industry. The State has a population of 7,303,924. Rivers State has a total area of 11,077 km² (4,277 mi²), making it the 26th largest state in Nigeria.
The state is famous for its vast reserves of crude oil and natural gas. It has two major oil refineries, two major seaports, airports, and various industrial estates spread across the land. More than 60% of the country’s output of crude oil is produced in the state. Other natural resources found within its boundaries are silica sand, glass sand and clay. The dominant ethnic groups are Ijwa, Ikwere, Etche, Ogoni, and Ogba/Egbema. Ijaw and Ikwerre are the most spoken languages. Pidgin English is mostly used for media broadcasts.
- DELTA STATE
Delta State also referred to as the big heart, is an oil-rich and agricultural producing state located in the south-south region of Nigeria with a population of 5,663,362(NBS). The state covers a landmass of about 18,050 km².
Delta state is one of the most developed and fascinating states in Nigeria with renewable energy as well as oil production with a GDP of $16.75 billion as at 2007 making it the third richest state in Nigeria after Lagos and Rivers state.
The state’s ethnicity is diverse with four linguistic groups of people and seven languages amongst them. The dominant ethnic groups are the Urhobos, Itsekiris and Ijaws. The vast majority of inhabitants are Christians, with very few subscribers to African Traditional Religion.
- OYO STATE
Oyo State, the pacesetter is noted for its cottage industries, consisting of cotton spinning, weaving, dyeing, leatherworking (sheep and goat skins), wood carving, and mat making. The economy of Oyo is based chiefly on agriculture and handicrafts.
Oyo State covers approximately an area of 28,454 square kilometres and has a total population of 7,840,864. Its strategic location on the railway line connecting Lagos to Kano is a major centre for trade in cassava, cocoa, cotton, timber, rubber, and palm oil.
The main industries are tire-retreading, cigarette manufacturing and the processing of agricultural products; including flour-milling, leather-working and furniture-making.
The dominant ethnic group is the Yoruba tribe.
Oyo State’s in 2010 was $16.12Billion.
- IMO STATE
Imo State, the Eastern Heartland, is also one of the chief onshore petroleum-producing areas in the country.
Imo State total population is 5,408,756 with a land mass of around 5,100 sq km. 98% of people in Imo state are Igbo. Imo State is one of the most densely populated areas in Nigeria.
Imo State economy depends primarily on agriculture and commerce. There are over 163 oil wells at over 12 different locations in the state.
Imo State’s GDP in 2010 was $14.21 billion.
- KANO STATE
Kano State, the centre of Commerce is also one of the most populated states in Nigeria with a strategic location for Commercial activities in neighbouring West African Countries such as Republic of Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Benin, Burkina Faso and Senegal. It covers 20,280 Sq. Km of Nigeria’s territorial land mass.
Kano State is the largest in Northern Nigeria with textile, tanning, footwear, cosmetics, plastics, enamelware, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, furniture and other industries.
The State generated N18 billion internal revenue in 2016.
Kano is largely Islamic in terms of religious activities. The majority of Kano Muslims are Sunni, though a minority adheres to the Shia branch. Christians and followers of other non-Muslim religions form a small part of the population and traditionally live in the Sabon Gari, or Foreign Quarter.
The principal inhabitants of the city are the Hausa people.
Kano State’s GDP in 2010 was $12.4 billion.
- EDO STATE
Edo State, the heartbeat of the Nation is renowned for its proficiency in sports and athletics and a culture of intellectual edification and scholastic excellence. It has a high presence of residents from across the country and the world because of its cosmopolitan tendencies.
Edo State is situated in the mid south-west of Nigeria, covering 17,802 square kilometres. The main ethnic groups in Edo State are: Edos, Afemais, Esans, Owans and Akoko Edos. The State principal mineral resources include crude oil, natural gas, clay chalk, marbles and limestone
Agriculture is the predominant occupation of people in Edo State. The major cash crops produced are rubber, cocoa and palm produce. The State also produces yam, cassava; rice, plantains, guinea-corn, and assorted types of fruits and vegetables.
Edo State’s GDP in 2010 was $11.89 billion.
- AKWA IBOM STATE
Akwa -ibom-state” State, the promised land has as a landmass of 6,900 sq Km which is arable from the saline water swamp forest in the South to the rainforest in the North that supports extensive agriculture all year round. There are large deposits of oil and gas both on and offshore. Other mineral resources such as limestone, clay, gold, salt, coal, silver nitrate and glass sand are also found in commercial quantity.
Akwa Ibom people are farmers, craftsmen, and merchants. A majority of the rural populace engage in farming. Other traditional occupations of the people are fishing, trading, hunting, wood-carving, raffia works, blacksmithing, pottery, iron works, tailoring, and crafts creation.
Akwa – ibom State’s GDP in 2010 was $11.18 billion.
- OGUN STATE
Ogun State is popularly referred to as “The Gateway State” by virtue of its strategic location. It serves as the link to the rest of the country and beyond.
Ogun State is a major industrial hub for Nigeria and the West African sub-region. Its proximity to Lagos, the country’s bustling commercial capital which borders it to the south, makes Ogun State a melting pot of socio-economic activities.
The movement of people and industries from congested Lagos to Ogun has contributed hugely to the growth in population and economic activities in the state. Ogun is the second most industrialised state in Nigeria, after Lagos.
Ogun state contributes significantly to the production of poultry products in Nigeria. The popular Ofada rice is grown almost exclusively in Ogun state.
The state is made up of six ethnic groups: the Egba, the Ijebu, the Remo, the Egbado, the Awori and the Egun. The language of the majority of the people of Ogun State is Yoruba, this is however broken into scores of dialects.
The primary occupation of the people in Ogun State is majorly Agriculture and 80 percent of the total land area is arable. The state is blessed with evergreen forest vegetation and the soil is most suitable for the cultivation of cash crops such as oil palm, cocoa, rubber, cotton. Cassava, pineapple, cocoyam, citrus, banana, plantain etc are other food crops produced in the state.
Ogun State’s GDP in 2010 was $10.47 billion.
- KADUNA STATE
Kaduna State, the centre of education, is a major economic hub in the region, a trade centre and transportation axis to nearby agricultural areas and states
Kaduna is an industrial centre of Northern Nigeria, manufacturing products like textiles, machinery, steel, aluminium, petroleum products and bearings. Pottery is highly prized from Kaduna, especially from the Nok culture.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) put the annual population growth rate at 8,252,366 with a Total land area: 42,481 Sq. Km
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of Kaduna state with about 80% of the people actively engaged in farming. Cash and food crops are cultivated and the products include yam, cotton, groundnut, tobacco, maize, beans, guinea corn, millet, ginger, rice, and cassava. Over 180,000 tonnes of groundnut are produced in the state annually. The major cash crop is cotton which the state has a comparative advantage in as it is the leading producer in the country.
Major industries in the state are the Federal Super Phosphate Fertilizer Company PLC, Ideal Flour Mills PLC, New Nigerian Packaging Company PLC, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria PLC, United Wire Products Limited, Bus and Refrigerated Van Manufacturing Co, Kaduna Furniture and Carpets Company Limited, Electricity Metres Company Nigeria Limited and Rigid Pack Containers Limited, Zaria.
Kaduna State’s GDP in 2010 was 10.33 billion.
