Updated! Top 15 poorest states in Nigeria in 2021 | See the number 1 ranked state

Which states are the poorest in Nigeria? See the 15 poorest states in the country.

You must have heard and seen how people are struggling to live in Nigeria and are wondering how bad exactly is the Nigerian economy. I would really like to bring you some good news but there truly isn’t.

Well, I don’t think it should be news to announce that Nigeria is presently the 51^st poorest country in the world. There are some states that have more than a 70% poverty rate.

Nigeria has a diverse range of resources dispersed across its 36 states. The number of people living in poverty, on the other hand, has been increasing throughout time. It has continued to rise on daily basis, including insecurity issues posing a danger to economic activity in several states.

Here is a list of the top 15 poorest states in Nigeria.

The top 15 poorest states in Nigeria

#15   Plateau state

Being major tin and columbite exporters unfortunately isn’t enough to alleviate poverty in Plateau state. The poverty rate of 55.1 per cent indicates that half of the population cannot afford necessities.

Several roads in the state are impassable. According to reports, the state has 53 ongoing road projects. We, however, hope that would improve the state of living there.

#14   Kano state

Kano is the country’s most populated state. Despite being a commercial hub, the state has a poverty level of 55.2per cent. Inter-religious conflict and terrorist assaults have harmed output in the northern state.

The state of Kano have a better transport system, but its maintenance has always been a serious issue for the administration.

#13   Katsina state

The state of Katsina is located in the country’s northwest corner. There has also been a lot of criminals, which have nearly paralyzed the state’s economic activities. With a poverty rate of 56.42 per cent, it’s no surprise it’s one of the poorest states in Nigeria.

According to reports, 75% of people live in rural areas with deteriorating transportation lines. The state government, on the other hand, has begun to open rural roads to make mobility easier for rural residents.

#12   Nassarawa state

Nasarawa State is located in Nigeria’s North Central zone. It essentially connects multiple states, including Kogi, Benue, and Kaduna. Despite being the country’s largest producer of salt, Nasarawa has a poverty rate of 57.3 per cent.

The state is undergoing a gradual change of road repairs, restoration, and building.

#11   Enugu state

Enugu is the second Southeastern state to make the list of Nigeria’s poorest states. The state’s thriving industries are well-known.

With its high poverty rate of 58.13 per cent, it is one of the poorest states in the country.

#10   Bauchi State

With the presence of the famed Yankari Game Reserve and Wikki Warm Springs, Bauchi state is a popular tourist destination. Unfortunately, the state is kidnappers-ridden. Tourists and investors have fled as a result of this. As a result, the state’s poverty rate is 61.53 per cent.

According to reliable sources, the state administration has completed 10 roads and is working on another 19  are in various levels of completion in this state.

#9   Gombe State

Insecurity is also a problem in Gombe state. It is situated in the northeastern portion of the country, where the insurgency has become the norm. As a result, the state’s poverty rate has risen to 62.31 per cent.

Motorists in the state have expressed their dissatisfaction with the quality of some Gombe roads. Due to flood, a big portion of the roadways has been lost. This irritates drivers while also costing the state money.

#8   Niger State

Niger state is the country’s largest and is located in the country’s central belt. The state’s poverty rate is exacerbated by widespread illiteracy and an environmental blow that has harmed agriculture. In addition, Boko Haram strikes in some areas have harmed economic operations, raising the poverty rate to 66.11 per cent.

The state of the federal highways in Niger is appalling. Some highways require restoration or complete reconstruction, while others only require routine upkeep.

#7   Yobe State

Yobe state is an agricultural state in the northeastern part of the country. Despite being the country’s largest cattle provider, the state is one of the impoverished across the country. Yobe state’s impoverishment rate is around 72.34 per cent.

There have been indications that the state’s road conditions have improved. The state government set aside more than $29 million for road and market project implementation earlier this year.

#6   Zamfara State

Zamfara state is another state in Nigeria’s northeast that has been impacted by the nation’s continued invasions and kidnappings. Residents have sought shelter in surrounding towns, with many now struggling to make ends meet. Because many economic operations have come to a halt, the poverty rate has risen to 73.98 per cent.

Furthermore, in Zamfara, the road condition is classified as fair. Potholes are everywhere, and some routes are inaccessible.

#5   Adamawa State

Boko Haram’s unrelenting strikes have presented a serious threat to Adamawa’s economy. Business as normal has been disrupted by residents fleeing for their lives. As a result, they are among the poorest states in Nigeria. 75.41 per cent of the population lives in poverty.

The state of Adamawa’s road networks is in terrible shape and in need of restoration. With several roadways washed away by floodwaters in 2019, the local authority stepped in to help by halting building on some of the impacted roads in 2019.

#4   Ebonyi State

Ebonyi is the first state from Nigeria’s South-East to make the list of the country’s poorest states, with a poverty rate of 79.76 per cent. It was only 25 years ago that it was created. Because the majority of indigenous people are illiterate, agriculture is their main source of income. Also, in Nigeria, the state is the biggest rice producer.

Ebonyi is one of the states that can boast of having an excellent motorable road, as the status of roads has continued to improve. The state administration is concentrating on developing infrastructure for the state’s development.

#3   Jigawa State

The North area is also home to Nigeria’s third poorest state. The Republic of Niger shares boundaries with Jigawa. The poverty rate is 87.2 per cent, making it one of the states with the most people. The state has a semi-arid climate and relies heavily on agriculture for its livelihood.

Although, the Kurnya-Babura road along the shared border with Niger has been approved for construction as part of the Federal administration’s endeavour to supply infrastructures towards industrial prosperity.

#2   Taraba State

Taraba state is a tropical state in the country’s north-eastern region. It shares a border with the Cameroun Republic. The state’s poverty rate is practically identical to that of Sokoto state, at 87.72 per cent. Agriculture is the most common occupation, with a focus on commercial farming.

The poor state of Jalingo’s roadways is apparent during wet seasons. Residents complain about the government’s failure to provide good roads, which affect the state’s economic development.

#1   Sokoto State

Sokoto State is the poorest state in Nigeria, with an estimated poverty rate of 87.73 per cent in 2019. Coming from the most impoverished and insecure part of the country, the state has struggled to attract foreign investors and produce revenue on its own.

Sokoto is said to be the largest producer of onions, tomatoes, and other perishable items; nevertheless, the state’s prosperity is threatened by abandoned road projects littering several sections of the state. Residents require simple access to locations where their goods and services can be distributed.