been wondering of which local government areas in Nigeria have the highest
number of people living in it?
absence of a reliable and current census data, I have been browsing through the
reports of the controversial 2006 national population census, and below I
present to you the 20 most populous local government areas in Nigeria.
the biggest local government areas by population in Nigeria.
1. Alimosho
Alimosho is a local government area in Lagos State, with headquarters in
Akowonjo, Ikotun. Alimosho local government area falls within the western
senatorial district of Lagos State otherwise known as Lagos West Senatorial
District alongside Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye, Badagry, Ojo, Ajeromi-Ifelodun,
Amuwo-Odofin, Oshodi-Isolo, Ikeja and Mushin local government areas. Alimosho
local government area also forms a federal constituency, and thus sends a
representative to the federal House of Representatives in Abuja.
Alimosho local government area covers an area of 138 km², making it the
second biggest local government by area in Lagos State. With a population of 1,319,571 as at the
2006 national population census, Alimosho local government area is also the
biggest local government area by population in not just Lagos State but the
entire country.
Alimosho local government area is bounded to the north by Ifako-Ijaiye local
government area, to the east by Agege, Ikeja and Oshodi-Isolo local government
areas, to the south by Amuwo-Odofin and Ojo local government areas, and to the west by Ogun State.
2. Abuja Municipal
Area Council, or AMAC as it is widely and popularly known is an area council in
the Federal Capital Territory, with headquarters in Garki district of Nigeria’s
capital city of Abuja. Abuja Municipal Area Council is located west of Nasarawa
State, with Kuje Area Council to the south, Gwagwalada Area Council to the east, and Bwari Area Council to the
north.
Municipal Area Council forms a federal constituency, and thus sends a
representative to the House of Representatives alongside Bwari Area Council.
The area council is also represented in the upper chamber of Nigeria’s National
Assembly by a senator representing the whole of the six area councils of the
Federal Capital Territory (or FCT) which also include Bwari, Abaji, Gwagwalada,
Kwali and Kuje area councils.
Municipal Area Council is regarded as the most powerful local government council
area in Nigeria, as it’s home to the seat of the government of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria as well as its most important ministries, agencies and
parastatals which include the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and
the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has an area of 1,769 square kilometres, making it
the biggest local council by area in the Federal Capital Territory.
population of 776,298 as at the 2006 national population census, Abuja
Municipal Area Council (AMAC) is also the biggest local government area council
by population in the Federal Capital Territory, and the second biggest in the
entire country.
3. Ajeromi-Ifelodun
Ajeromi-Ifelodun is a local government area in Lagos State, with
headquarters in Amukoko. Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government area falls within
Lagos West Senatorial District alongside Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye, Alimosho,
Badagry, Ojo, Amuwo-Odofin, Oshodi-Isolo, Ikeja and Mushin local government
areas. Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government area also forms a federal
constituency, and thus sends a representatives to the House of Representatives
in Abuja.
Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government area covers an area of 13.9 km². The local
government area is bounded to the north by Surulere local government area, to
the east by Apapa local government area, to the south by water, and to the west
by Amuwo-Odofin local government area.
With a population of 687,316 as at the 2006 national population census,
Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government area is the third most populous local government area in Nigeria,
and the second in Lagos
State.
4. Kosofe
Kosofe is a local government area in Lagos State, with headquarters in
Ojota. Kosofe local government area is in Lagos East Senatorial District
alongside Shomolu, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki and Ikorodu local government areas. Kosofe
local government area also forms a federal constituency, and thus sends a
representative to the House of Representatives in Abuja.
Kosofe local government area covers an area of 84.4 km². The local
government area is bounded to the north by Ogun State, to the east by water, to
the south by Shomolu local government area, and to the west by Ikeja local
government area.
With a population of 682,772 as at the 2006 national population census,
Kosofe local government area is the 3rd most populous local government area in Lagos
State, and the 4th in the entire country.
5. Mushin
local government area in Lagos State, with headquarters in the town of Mushin.
Mushin local government area falls within the western senatorial zone of Lagos
State otherwise known as Lagos West Senatorial District alongside Agege,
Alimosho, Ifako-Ijaiye, Badagry, Ojo, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin,
Oshodi-Isolo and Ikeja local government areas. Mushin local government area
also forms two federal constituencies, and thus sends two representatives to
the House of Representatives in Abuja.
local government area covers an area of 14.1 km². The local government area is bounded to the
north by Oshodi-Isolo and Ikeja local government areas, to the west by
Oshodi-Isolo local government area, to the south by Surulere local government
area, and to the east by Shomolu local government area.
population of 631,857
as at the 2006 national population census, Mushin local government area is the
5th biggest local government area by population in Nigeria.
6. Oshodi-Isolo
Oshodi-Isolo is a local government area in Lagos State, with headquarters in
Oshodi. Oshodi-Isolo local government area is in Lagos West Senatorial Zone
alongside Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye, Alimosho, Badagry, Ojo, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo–Odofin, Ikeja and Mushin
local government areas. Oshodi-Isolo local government area also forms two
federal constituencies, and thus sends two representatives to the House of
Representatives in Abuja.
Oshodi-Isolo local government area covers an area of 42.0 km². The local
government area is bounded to the north-west by Alimosho local government area,
to the north-east by Ikeja local government area, to the east by Mushin local
government area, to the south by Surulere and Amuwo–Odofin local government areas, and to
the west by Alimosho local government area.
With a population of 629,061 as at the 2006 national population census,
Oshodi-Isolo local government area is the 5th biggest local government area by
population in Lagos State, and the 6th in the entire country.
7. Ojo
Ojo is a local government area in Lagos State, with headquarters in the town
of Ojo. Ojo local government area is in Lagos West Senatorial Zone alongside
Agege, Alimosho, Ifako-Ijaiye, Badagry, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin,
Oshodi-Isolo, Ikeja and Mushin local government areas. Ojo local government
area also forms a federal constituency, and thus sends a representative to the
federal House of Representatives.
Ojo local government area covers an area of 182 km², making it the biggest
local government by area in Lagos State.
Ojo local government area is bounded to the north-west by Ogun State, to the
north-east by Alimosho local government area, to the south-east by Amuwo-Odofin
local government area, and to the south-west by Badagry local government area.
With a population of 609,173 as at the 2006 national population census, Ojo
local government area is the 7th biggest local government area by population in
Nigeria, and the 6th biggest in Lagos State.
8. Nasarawa
Nasarawa, or Nassarawa is a local government area in Kano State, with
administrative headquarters in Bompai within the metropolitan area of Kano.
Nasarawa local government area is in Kano Central Senatorial District alongside
Dala, Gwale, Dawakin Kudu, Gezawa, Tarauni, Fagge, Garun Mallam, Kano
Municipal, Kumbotso, Kura, Madobi, Minjibir, Ungogo and Warawa local government
areas. Nasarawa local government area also forms a federal constituency, and
thus sends a representative to the national House of Representatives in Abuja.
Nasarawa local government area has an area of 34.0 km².
With a population of 596,411 as at the 2006 national population
census, Nasarawa local government area is the largest local government area by
population in Kano State, and
the 8th largest in the entire country
9. Maiduguri
Maiduguri is a local government area in Borno State, with headquarters in
the city of Maiduguri, which also functions as the capital of Borno State.
Maiduguri local government area falls within Borno Central Senatorial District
alongside Dikwa, Jere, Kala/Balge, Mafa, Ngala, Konduga, Bama and Kaga local
government areas. Maiduguri local government area is also a federal
constituency, and thus sends a representative to the House of Representatives
in Abuja
Maiduguri local government area covers an area of 132 km², making it the
smallest local government by area in Borno State.
However, with a
population of 540,016 as at the 2006 national population census, Maiduguri
local government area is by
far the largest local government area by population in Borno State.
10. Ifo
Ifo is a local government area in Ogun State, with headquarters in the town
of Ifo. Ifo local government area falls within the central senatorial district
of Ogun State otherwise known as Ogun Central Senatorial Zone alongside
Ewekoro, Obafemi Owode, Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South and Odeda local government
areas. Ifo local government area also forms a federal constituency alongside
Ewekoro local government area.
Ifo local government area covers an area of 521 km². The local government
area is bounded to the north by Ewekoro local government area, to the east by
Obafemi Owode and Sagamu local government areas, to the south by Lagos State
and Ado-Odo/Ota local government area, and to the west by Yewa South local
government area.
With a population of 539,170 as at the 2006 national population census, Ifo
local government area is the biggest local government area by population in
Ogun State, and the 10th biggest local government area by population in the
entire country.
11. Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt is a local government area in Rivers State, with headquarters
in the city of Port Harcourt. Port Harcourt local government area (or PHALGA)
is in Rivers East Senatorial District alongside Omuma, Etche, Ikwerre, Okrika,
Obio/Akpor, Ogu/Bolo and Emohua local government areas. Port Harcourt local
government area also forms two federal constituencies, and thus sends two
representatives to the House of Representatives in Abuja.
Port Harcourt local government area covers an area of 109 km². The local
government area is bounded to the north by Obio/Akpor local government area, to
the east by Eleme and Okrika local government areas, to the south by Okrika
local government area, and to the west by Degema local government area.
With a population of 538,558 as at the 2006 national population census, Port
Harcourt local government area is the largest local government area by
population in Rivers State.
12.
Ikorodu
Ikorodu is a local government area in Lagos State, with headquarters in the
town of Ikorodu. Ikorodu local government area is in Lagos East Senatorial Zone
alongside Ibeju Lekki, Epe, Kosofe and Shomolu local government areas. Ikorodu
local government area also forms a federal constituency, and thus sends a
representative to the House of Representatives in Abuja.
Ikorodu local government area covers an area of 345 km².
With a population of 527,917 as at the 2006 national population census, Ikorodu
local government area is the 7th biggest local government area by population in
Lagos State.
13. Ado-Odo/Ota
Ado-Odo/Ota is a local government area in Ogun State, with headquarters in
the town of Ota. Ado-Odo/Ota local government area is in Ogun West Senatorial
Zone alongside Imeko Afon, Yewa North, Yewa South and Ipokia local government
areas. Ado-Odo/Ota local government area also forms a federal constituency, and
thus sends a representative to the federal House of Representatives in Abuja.
Ado-Odo/Ota local government area covers an area of 878 km². The local
government area is bounded to the north by Yewa South and Ifo local government
areas, to the east and south by Lagos State, and to the west by Ipokia local
government area.
With a population of 527,242 as at the 2006 national population census,
Ado-Odo/Ota local government area is the second biggest local government area
by population in Ogun State, and the thirteenth biggest in the entire country.
14. Surulere
Surulere is a local government area in Lagos State, with headquarters in Aguda area of the town of
Surulere. Surulere local government area is in Lagos Central Senatorial Zone
alongside Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, Eti Osa and Apapa local government
areas. Surulere local government area also forms two federal constituencies,
and thus sends two representatives to the federal House of Representatives in
Abuja.
Surulere local government area covers an area of 27.1 km². The local
government area is bounded to the north by Mushin local government area, to the
east by Lagos Mainland local government area, to the south by Apapa and
Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government areas, and to the west by Amuwo Odofin and
Oshodi-Isolo local government areas.
Surulere local government area has a population of 502,865 as at the 2006
national population census, making it the 8th most populous local government
area in Lagos State, and 14th in the entire country.
15. Bauchi
Bauchi is a local government area in Bauchi State, with administrative
headquarters in the city of Bauchi which also functions as the capital of Bauchi State.
Bauchi local government area is in Bauchi South Senatorial District
alongside Alkaleri, Kirfi, Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro, Dass and Toro local
government areas. Bauchi local government area is also a federal constituency,
and thus has a representative in Nigeria’s House of Representatives.
Bauchi local government area has an area of 3,687 km². It is bounded by
Ganjuwa local government area in the north, Kirfi and Alkaleri local government
areas in the east, Tafawa Balewa local government area in the south, and Toro
local government area in the west.
With a population of 493,730 as at the 2006 national population census,
Bauchi local government area is the largest local government area by population
in Bauchi State.
16. Obio/Akpor
Obio/Akpor is a local government area in Rivers State, with headquarters in
Rumuodomanya. Obio/Akpor local government area is in Rivers East Senatorial
District alongside Etche, Omuma, Ikwerre, Okrika, Port Harcourt, Ogu/Bolo and
Emohua local government areas. Obio/Akpor local government area also forms a
federal constituency, and thus sends a representative to the House of
Representatives in Abuja.
Obio/Akpor local government area covers an area of 260 km². The local
government area is bounded to the north by Ikwerre and Etche local government
areas, to the east by Oyigbo local government area, to the south by Eleme, Port
Harcourt and Degema local government areas, and to the west by Emohua local
government area.
Obio/Akpor local government area forms part of Port Harcourt metropolitan
area.
The indigenous inhabitants of Obio/Akpor are the Ikwerre people, however
rapid urbanization has made the area a melting pot of dozens of different
people groups and ways of life.
17. Agege
Agege is a local government area in Lagos State, with headquarters in Dopemu
in the town of Agege. Agege local government area is in Lagos West Senatorial
Zone alongside Ifako-Ijaiye, Alimosho, Badagry, Ojo, Ajeromi-Ifelodun,
Amuwo-Odofin, Oshodi-Isolo, Ikeja and Mushin local government areas. Agege
local government area also forms a federal constituency, and thus sends a
representative to the federal House of Representatives in Abuja.
Agege local government area covers an area of 17.0 km². The local government
area is bounded to the north by Ifako-Ijaiye local government area, to the east
by Ikeja local government area, and to the south and west by Alimosho local
government area.
The widely disputed result of the 2006 national population census put the
population of Agege local government area at 461,743, making it the 17th
biggest local government area by population in Nigeria.
18. Jos North
Jos North is a local government area in Plateau State, with headquarters in
the city of Jos. Jos North local government area is in Plateau North Senatorial
District alongside Jos East, Jos South, Bassa, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local
government areas. Jos North local government area also forms a federal
constituency alongside Bassa local government area.
Jos North local government area is bounded to the north-west and west by
Bassa local government area, to the north-east by Bauchi State, to the east by Jos East local government
area, and to the south by Jos South local government area.
Jos North local government area covers an area of 291 km², making it the
smallest local government by area in Plateau State.
However, with a population of 437,217 as at the 2006 national population
census, Jos North local government area is by far the largest local government
area by population in Plateau State.
19. Idemili North
Idemili North is a local government area in Anambra State, with
administrative headquarters in Ogidi. Idemili North local government area is in
Anambra Central Senatorial District alongside Awka North, Awka South, Anaocha,
Idemili South, Dunukofia and Njikoka local government areas. Idemili North
local government area also forms a federal constituency alongside Idemili South
local government area.
Idemili North local government area covers an area of 115 km². It is bounded
in the north-west by Oyi local government area, in the north-east by Dunukofia
local government area, in the east by Njikoka local government area, in the
south by Idemili South local government area, and in the west by Onitsha South
and Onitsha North local government areas.
With a population of 431,005 as at the 2006 national population census,
Idemili North local government area is by far the largest local government area
by population in Anambra State.
Most communities in Idemili
North local government area form part of the metropolis of Onitsha.
20. Igabi
Igabi is a local government area in Kaduna State, with administrative
headquarters in the town of Turunku. Igabi local government area is in Kaduna
Central Senatorial District alongside Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kaduna North, Kaduna
South, Chikun and Kajuru local government areas. Igabi local government area
also forms a federal constituency, and thus sends a representative to the
national House of Representatives in Abuja.
Igabi local government area covers an area of 3,727 km².
With a population of 430,753 as at the 2006 national population census,
Igabi local government area is the largest local government area by population
in Kaduna State.
Igabi local government area is bounded to the north by Giwa and Zaria local
government areas, to the east by Soba and Kauru local government areas, to the
south by Kajuru, Kaduna North, Kaduna South and Chikun local government areas,
and to the west by Chikun and Birnin Gwari local government areas.