10 SMALLEST STATES IN NIGERIA

Here we
take a look at the smallest states in Nigeria,
their location, their ethnic compositions, and every other thing you should
know about the smallest states in Nigeria.

1. Lagos State

Lagos is a state in Nigeria, with administrative capital in Ikeja on the mainland of the city of
Lagos. Lagos State is in the south-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria
alongside Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo States.

Lagos State is located 709 km south-west of Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja,
and some 511.8 km east of Ghana’s capital city of Acrra. Lagos State is bounded
to the north and west by Ogun State, to the south by the Atlantic Ocean, and to
the west by the Republic of Benin.

Lagos State sits on area of 3,345 km². This makes Lagos State the smallest state in
Nigeria.

With a population of 9,113,605 as at the 2006 national population census
however, Lagos State is the second largest state by population in Nigeria.

Lagos State has 20
local government areas out of the 774 local government areas that alongside
the 36 states constitute the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Lagos State has a significant population of almost every ethnic group in the
country. Indigenous ethnic groups of Lagos State
comprises of the Awori, the Ijebu and the Ogun (or Egun).

2. Anambra State

Anambra is a state in Nigeria, with administrative capital in the city of
Awka. Anambra State falls within the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria
alongside Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. There have been claims
(albeit controversial ones)
that Anambra State has become part of the Niger Delta region, an agglomeration
of mostly oil-rich southern Nigerian States that also include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross
River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers States.

Anambra State is located some 440.7 km south of Nigeria’s capital city of
Abuja, with Kogi State to the north, Enugu State to the east, Imo and Rivers
States to the south, and the River Niger to the west.

Anambra State has an area of 4,844 km², making it the second smallest state
in Nigeria.

Anambra State has within its borders 21 local government areas out of the 774 local government areas that
alongside the 36 states form the federal Republic of Nigeria.

Anambra State is predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group, with a
sprinkling of Igalas in its northern border.

3. Imo State

Imo is a state in Nigeria, with administrative capital in the city of
Owerri. Imo State falls within the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria
alongside Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States. Imo State is also part of the
Niger Delta region, an agglomeration of mostly oil-rich coastal southern
Nigerian states that also include Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta,
Edo, Ondo and Rivers States.

Imo State is located some 527.9 km south of Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja,
and 140.6 km south-west of Enugu, the capital of Enugu State.

Imo State is bounded to the north by Anambra State, to the east by Abia
State, and to the south and west by Rivers State.

Imo State has an area of 5,530 km². This means that Imo State is the third
smallest state in Nigeria.

Imo State has within its borders 27
local government areas out of the 774 local government areas
that alongside the 36 States form the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Imo State is predominantly inhabited by Igbo people.

4. Ebonyi State

Ebonyi is a state in Nigeria, with administrative capital in the city of
Abakaliki. Ebonyi State falls within the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria
alongside Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo States.

Ebonyi State is located some 544.3 km south of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital
city. Ebonyi State is bounded to the north by Benue State, to the east by Cross
River State, to the south by Abia State, and to the west by Enugu State.

Ebonyi State has an area of 5,670 km². This means that by area, Ebonyi State
is only bigger than 3 out of the 36 states of Nigeria and thus is the 4th smallest state in Nigeria.

Ebonyi State has 13
local government areas out of the 774 local government areas
that alongside the 36 states form the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ebonyi State is predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group. Prominent
clans of the Igbo ethnic group in Ebonyi State include the Ezza, the Izzi, and
the Edda.

5. Abia State

Abia is a state in Nigeria, with administrative capital in the city of Umuahia.
Abia State falls within the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria alongside
Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. Abia State is also part of the Niger
Delta region, an agglomeration of mostly oil-rich southern Nigerian states that
also include Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers
States.

Abia State is located at around 613 km south of Nigeria’s capital city of
Abuja, and is bounded to the north by Ebonyi and Enugu States, to the east by
Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, to the south by Rivers State, and to the west
by Imo State.

Abia State has an area of 6,320 km². This makes Abia State the 5th smallest state in Nigeria.

Abia State has within its borders 17 local government areas out of the 774 local government areas that, alongside the 36 States, form the Federal Republic
of Nigeria.

6. Ekiti State

Ekiti is a state in Nigeria, with administrative capital in the city of
Ado-Ekiti. Ekiti State falls within the south-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria
alongside Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo States.

Ekiti State is located some 400.9 km south-west of Nigeria’s capital city of
Abuja, with Kwara State to the north, Kogi State to the east, Ondo State to the
south, and Osun State to the west.

Ekiti State has an area of 6,353 km², making it the 6th smallest state in
Nigeria.

Ekiti State has 16
local government areas out of 774 local government areas that
alongside the 36 state form the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ekiti State is predominantly inhabited by the Ekiti people, a sub-group of
the Yoruba ethnic group.

7. Akwa Ibom
State

Akwa Ibom is a state in Nigeria, with administrative capital in the city of
Uyo. Akwa Ibom State falls within the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria
alongside Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers States. Akwa Ibom State
is also part of the Niger Delta region, an agglomeration of mostly oil-rich
coastal southern Nigerian states that also include Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River,
Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers States.

Akwa Ibom State is located some 688.6 km south of Nigeria’s capital city of
Abuja, and is bounded to the north by Abia State, to the east by Cross River
State, to the south by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the west by Rivers State.

Akwa Ibom State sits on an area of 7,081 km². The State has within its borders
31 local government areas out of the 774 local government areas
that alongside the 36 States form the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The people of Akwa Ibom State are culturally homogeneous with a common
identity and are reputed to be the first settlers in the present day South
Eastern Nigeria. The three major dialectal groups are Ibibio, Annang and
Oron.  Other sub groups include Eket, Ibeno, Itu Mbonuso and the Andonis.

8. Enugu State

Enugu is a state in Nigeria, with administrative capital in the city of
Enugu. Enugu State is in the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria alongside
Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo States.

Enugu State lies some 472 kilometers south of Nigeria’s capital city of
Abuja, and is bounded in the north by Kogi State, in the north-east by 
Benue State, in the south-east by Ebonyi State, in the south by Abia and Imo
States, and in the west by Anambra State.

Enugu State sits on an area of 7,161 km² , making it the
largest state by area in the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria, and the 8th smallest state in the
entire country.

Enugu State
also has 17
local government areas out of the 774 local government areas that,
alongside the 36 states, constitute the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Enugu State is famous for its beautiful landscape that is dotted by
undulating hills and evergreen vegetation. It is home to several sub-groups of
the Igbo ethnic group such as the Nike, the Ezike, and the Nsukka. Enugu
State also has a sprinkling of Idomas and Igalas in its western and northern
borders.

9. Osun State

Osun is a state in Nigeria, with administrative capital in the city of
Osogbo. Osun State is in the south-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria alongside
Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Oyo States.

Osun State is located at around 538.1 km south-west of Abuja, and is bounded
to the north by Kwara State, to the east by Ekiti and Ondo States, to the south
by Ogun State, and to the west by Oyo State,

Osun State sits on an area of 9,251 km². This makes Osun State the 9th smallest state in Nigeria.

Osun State however has
30
local government areas. This makes Osun State one of the states with the
highest number of Local government areas in Nigeria.

Osun State is predominantly inhabited by the Yoruba.

10. Bayelsa State

Bayelsa is a state in Nigeria, with administrative capital in the city of
Yenagoa. Bayelsa State falls within the south-south geopolitical zone of
Nigeria alongside Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers States. Bayelsa
State is also part of the Niger Delta region, an agglomeration of mostly crude
oil-rich coastal southern Nigerian states that also include Abia, Akwa Ibom,
Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers States.

Bayelsa State derives its name from acronym of three of its main local
government areas, namely: Brass local government area (or BALGA), Yenagoa local
government area (or YELGA) and Sagbama local government area (or SALGA).

Bayelsa State is located some 496 km south of Nigeria’s capital city of
Abuja, and is bounded to the north by Delta State, to the east by Rivers State,
and to the south and west by the Gulf of Guinea.

Bayelsa State sits on an area of 10,773 km². The largely riverine state has
within its borders 8
local government areas out of the 774 local government areas
that, alongside the 36 states, form the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bayelsa State is predominantly inhabited by the Ijaw ethnic group. Clans of
the Ijaw ethnic group in Bayelsa State include the Ogbia, the Kolokuma and the
Epie Atissa.