Nigeria is a very large country which is made of people from different ethnic groups with various beliefs and traditions. These ethnic groups form what we call today’s Nigeria and they also contribute their own quota to the advancement and well being of the country.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is made up of over 400 ethnic groups who speak different languages. The three major ethnic groups in the country are the Yorubas, Igbos and the Hausas and most of the other ethnic groups in the country fall under one of these major groups or the other.
If you’re looking for a list of all ethnic groups in Nigeria, then you’re reading the right article as we will be sharing a comprehensive and verified list of these ethnic groups and the states which they fall under.
Without further ado, let’s begin ????.
Ethnic Groups In Nigeria & Their States (List)
1) Igbo
The Igbo ethnic group is the most popular ethnic group in the South-Eastern and South Southern parts of Nigeria. Igbo people are known as Ṇ́dị́ Ìgbò and there are some unconfirmed speculations that Igbos could have originated from the Jews in Israel.
In rural Nigeria, Igbo people work mostly as craftsmen, farmers and traders and the most important farm products in Igbo Land are Yam, Cocoyam and Cassava.
Igbos are also very creative and hardworking people and people from this ethnic group are some of the wealthiest people in Nigeria. Popular cities in “Igbo Land” include Onitsha, Nnewi, Owerri, Aba and others.
The Igbo ethnic group makes up about 18% of Nigeria’s current population and states under the Igbo ethnic group are outlined below.
- Abia State
- Anambra State
- Benue State
- Delta State
- Ebonyi State
- Enugu State
- Imo State
- Rivers State
- Cross River State
2) Yoruba
Yoruba is one of the three major tribes we have in Nigeria. This ethnic group in Nigeria makes up about 21% of the country’s current population and they’re the 2nd largest ethnic group in Nigeria after the Hausa tribe.
“Yorubas” are people from this tribe and the area they’re settled in is called the “Yoruba Land“. Christianity & Islam are the major religions practised by people of the Yoruba tribe although some of them still uphold their ancestors’ traditional religion and beliefs.
The states under the Yoruba ethnic group are listed below.
- Edo State
- Ekiti State
- Kogi State
- Kwara State
- Lagos State
- Ogun State
- Ondo State
- Osun State
- Oyo State
3) Hausa
The Hausa ethnic group is the largest ethnic group in Nigeria in terms of both population and landmass. The Hausas are found in the Northern part of Nigeria and they make up about 25% of Nigeria’s current population.
The Major religion practised by people of this Nigerian ethnic group is Islam and they also have a sizeable amount of Christians and traditional worshippers.
Hausas are not only settled in Nigeria but they can also be found in some other African countries which include The Republic of Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Chad, Sudan, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Togo, Ghana and others.
Hausas are mostly found in Northern Nigeria and states under the Hausa tribe/clan can be found below.
- Bauchi State
- Borno State
- Jigawa State
- Kaduna State
- Kano State
- Katsina State
- Kebbi State
- Niger State
- Sokoto State
- Taraba State
4) Fulani (Fulbe People)
The Fulani ethnic group is also a popular ethnic group in the country and people from this ethnic group are often mistaken as Hausas. Fulani people are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Sahel and West Africa, widely dispersed across the region.
They occupy most of the Northen states in Nigeria and they are mostly Muslims. People from the Fulani tribe are referred to as Fula, Fulbe or Fulanis and there are over 40 million people of Fulani descent in West Africa in total.
States occupied by the Fulbe or Fulani people are listed below.
- Adamawa State
- Bauchi State
- Borno State
- Jigawa State
- Kaduna State
- Kano State
- Katsina State
- Kebbi State
- Kwara State
- Niger State
- Sokoto State
- Taraba State
- Yobe State
5) Ijaw (Izon)
The Ijaw people who are known as “Ijo” or “Izon” are Nigerians who occupy the Niger Delta regions of Nigeria. People of this tribe are known for their beautiful tradition, food and attires.
Areas occupied by this ethnic group are very rich in oil and gas which is one of the country’s major natural resource and source of revenue. Another thing you should also know about this tribe is that the primary source of livelihood of the local people is Fishing and farming due to the fact that they live in riverine areas.
Nigerian states occupied by the Ijaw ethnic groups are:
- Bayelsa State
- Delta State
- Edo State
- Ondo State
- Rivers State
6) Igala
The Igala people are an ethnic group in Nigeria and their homeland, the former Igala Kingdom, is an approximately triangular area of about 14,000 km2 in the angle formed by the Benue and Niger rivers.
People of this tribe are mostly Christians and a little number of Muslims and traditional worshippers. States in which you can find indigenous Igala people are listed below.
- Anambra State
- Edo State
- Enugu State
- Kogi State
7) Idoma
The Idoma people are the major inhabitants of Benue State in Nigeria. This tribe have preserved their culture till today and you can see the indigenous display of these traditions in their clothes, food, music and other traditional rites.
Idomas are known to be ‘warriors’ and ‘hunters’ of class, but hospitable and peace-loving. The population of this tribe is estimated to be around 4 Million and they are a very small and preserved tribe in Nigeria.
Nigerian states where you can find Idoma people in their large numbers are listed below.
- Benue State
- Cross River State
- Kogi State
- Nassarawa State
8) Tiv
Tivi people who are referred to as Tivi have a very unique and interesting tradition and you can find proof of this in their fashion style. This ethnic group constitutes approximately 3.5% of Nigeria’s total population, and number about 6.5 million individuals throughout Nigeria and Cameroon.
Major income sources for Tiv locals are farming/agriculture, livestock production and manufacturing of their indigenous fabrics which is also loved by people of other Nigerian tribes.
Nigerian states where you can find Tiv people are:
- Benue State
- Plateau State
- Taraba State
9) Kanuri
The Kanuri people are another popular ethnic group in Nigeria. This tribe include several subgroups, and these subgroups can be identified by different names in some regions.
People of the Kanuri tribe are mostly millet farmers, transporters and construction workers. They are mostly Muslims (and some Christians) and they can be found in Northern Nigeria.
Below are some Nigerian states where you can find people of Kanuri decent.
- Adamawa State
- Borno State
- Taraba State
- Yobe State
10) Ibibio
The Ibibio people are coastal people in Southern Nigeria. This ethnic group numbers roughly 4 million that is 3.5% of the population of Nigeria and they’re the most ancient ethnic group in the Southern part of Nigeria.
Major income streams for locals of the Ibibio tribe are fishing and farming. They also have an amazing artistic culture of wooden carvings, weaving, and masks making.
States where you can Ibibio people are:
- Cross River State
- Akwa Ibom State
Other Nigerian Ethnic Groups & Their States
- Abayon – Cross River State
- Abua (Odual) – Rivers State
- Achipa (Achipawa) – Kebbi State
- Adim – Cross River State
- Adun – Cross River State
- Affade – Yobe State
- Afizere – Plateau State
- Afo – Plateau State
- Agbo – Cross River State
- Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk) – Cross River State
- Akweya-Yachi – Benue State
- Alago (Arago) – Plateau State
- Amo Plateau – State
- Anaguta Plateau State
- Anang Akwa Ibom – State
- Andoni – Akwa Ibom State, Rivers State
- Angas – Bauchi State, Plateau State
- Ankwei – Plateau State
- Anyima – Cross River State
- Attakar (ataka) – Kaduna State
- Auyoka (Sub-Hausa) – Jigawa State
- Awori – Lagos State, Ogun State
- Ayu – Kaduna State
- Babur (Pabir)/Bura – Adamawa State, Borno State, Taraba State, Yobe State
- Bachama – Adamawa State
- Bachere – Cross River State
- Bada – Plateau State
- Bade – Yobe State
- Baggara Arabs – Borno State
- Bahumono – Cross River State
- Bakulung – Taraba State
- Bali – Taraba State
- Bambora (Bambarawa) – Bauchi State
- Bambuko – Taraba State
- Banda (Bandawa) – Taraba State
- Banka (Bankalawa) – Bauchi State
- Banso (Panso) – Adamawa State
- Bara (Barawa) – Bauchi State
- Barke – Bauchi State
- Baruba (Barba) – Niger State
- Bashiri (Bashirawa) – Plateau State
- Bassa – Kaduna State, Kogi State, Niger State, Plateau State
- Batta – Adamawa State
- Baushi – Niger State
- Baya – Adamawa State
- Bekwarra – Cross River State
- Bele (Buli, Belewa) – Bauchi State
- Betso (Bete) – Taraba State
- Bette – Cross River State
- Bilei – Adamawa State
- Bille – Adamawa State
- Bina (Binawa) – Kaduna State
- Bini (Edo) – Edo State
- Birom – Plateau State
- Bobua – Taraba State
- Boki (Nki) – Cross River State
- Bokkos – Plateau State
- Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa) – Niger State
- Bole (Bolewa) – Bauchi State, Yobe State
- Botlere – Adamawa State
- Boma (Bomawa, Burmano) – Bauchi State
- Bomboro – Bauchi State
- Buduma – Borno State
- Buji – Plateau State
- Buli – Bauchi State
- Bunu – Kogi State
- Bura/Babur (Pabir) – Adamawa State, Borno State
- Burak – Bauchi State
- Burma (Burmawa) – Plateau State
- Buru Yobe – State
- Buta (Butawa) – Bauchi State
- Bwall – Plateau State
- Bwatiye – Adamawa State
- Bwazza – Adamawa State
- Challa – Plateau State
- Chama (Chamawa Fitilai) – Bauchi State
- Chamba – Taraba State
- Chamo – Bauchi State
- Chibok (Kibaku) – Borno State, Yobe State
- Chinine – Borno State
- Chip – Plateau State
- Chokobo – Plateau State
- Chukkol – Taraba State
- Daba – Adamawa State
- Dadiya – Bauchi State
- Daka – Adamawa State
- Dakarkari – Kebbi State, Niger State
- Danda (Dandawa) – Kebbi State
- Dangsa – Taraba State
- Daza (Dere, Derewa) – Bauchi State
- Degema – Rivers State
- Deno (Denawa) – Bauchi State
- Dghwede – Borno State
- Diba – Taraba State
- Doemak (Dumuk) – Plateau State
- Ouguri – Bauchi State
- Duka (Dukawa) – Kebbi State
- Duma (Dumawa) – Bauchi State
- Ebana (Ebani) – Rivers State
- Ebira – Edo State, Kogi State, Ondo State
- Ebu – Edo State, Kogi State
- Efik – Cross River State
- Egbema – Rivers State
- Egede (Igedde) – Benue State
- Eggon – Plateau State
- Egun (Gu) – Lagos State, Ogun State
- Ejagham – Cross River State
- Ekajuk – Cross River State
- Eket – Akwa Ibom
- Ekoi – Cross River State
- Ekpeye – Rivers State
- Engenni (Ngene) – Rivers State
- Epie – Rivers State
- Esan (Ishan) – Edo State
- Etche – Rivers State
- Etolu (Etilo) – Benue State
- Etsako – Edo State
- Etung – Cross River State
- Etuno – Edo State
- Palli – Adamawa State
- Fyam (Fyem) – Plateau State
- Fyer(Fer) – Plateau State
- Ga’anda – Adamawa State
- Gade – Niger State
- Galambi – Bauchi State
- Gamergu-Mulgwa – Borno State
- Qanawuri – Plateau State
- Gavako – Borno State
- Gbedde – Kogi State
- Gengle – Taraba State
- Geji – Bauchi State
- Gera (Gere, Gerawa) – Bauchi State
- Geruma (Gerumawa) – Plateau State
- Gingwak – Bauchi State
- Gira – Adamawa State
- Gizigz – Adamawa State
- Goemai – Plateau State
- Gokana (Kana) – Rivers State
- Gombi Adamawa State
- Gornun (Gmun) – Taraba State
- Gonia – Taraba State
- Gubi (Gubawa) – Bauchi State
- Gude – Adamawa State
- Gudu – Adamawa State
- Gure – Kaduna State
- Gurmana – Niger State
- Gururntum – Bauchi State
- Gusu – Plateau State
- Gwa (Gurawa) – Adamawa State
- Gwamba – Adamawa State
- Gwandara – Kaduna State, Niger State, Plateau State Gwari (Gbagi) Kaduna State, Kogi State, Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Plateau State
- Gwong (Kagoma) – Kaduna State
- Gwom – Taraba State
- Gwoza (Waha) – Borno State
- Gyem – Bauchi State
- Ham (Hyam, Jaba, Jabba) – Kaduna State
- Holma – Adamawa State
- Hona – Adamawa State
- Ibeno – Akwa Ibom State
- Ichen – Adamawa State
- Ijumu – Kogi State
- Ika – Delta State
- Ikom – Cross River State
- Ikwerre – Rivers State
- Irigwe – Plateau State
- Isoko – Delta State
- Itsekiri – Delta State
- Iyala (Iyalla) – Cross River State
- Jahuna (Jahunawa) – Taraba State
- Jaku – Bauchi State
- Jara – Bauchi State
- Jere – Bauchi State, Plateau State
- Jero – Taraba State
- Jibu – Adamawa State
- Jidda-Abu – Plateau State
- Jimbin (Jimbinawa) – Bauchi State
- Jirai – Adamawa State
- Jonjo (Jenjo) – Taraba State
- Jukun Bauchi State, Benue State, Plateau State, Taraba State
- Kaba(Kabawa) Taraba State
- Kadara Kaduna State, Niger State
- Kafanchan Kaduna State
- Kagoro Kaduna State
- Kaje (Kache) Kaduna State
- Kajuru (Kajurawa) Kaduna State
- Kaka Adamawa State
- Kamaku (Karnukawa) Kaduna State, Kebbi State, Niger State
- Kambari Kebbi State, Niger State
- Kambu Adamawa State
- Kanakuru (Dera) Adamawa State, Borno State
- Kanembu Borno State
- Kanikon Kaduna State
- Kantana Plateau State
- Karekare (Karaikarai) Bauchi State, Yobe State
- Karimjo Taraba State
- Kariya Bauchi State
- Katab (Kataf) Kaduna State
- Kenern (Koenoem) Plateau State
- Kenton Taraba State
- Kiballo (Kiwollo) Kaduna State
- Kilba Adamawa State
- Kirfi (Kirfawa) Bauchi State
- Koma Taraba State
- Kona Taraba State
- Koro (Kwaro) Kaduna State, Niger State
- Kubi (Kubawa) Bauchi State
- Kudachano (Kudawa) Bauchi State
- Kugama Taraba State
- Kulere (Kaler) Plateau State
- Kunini Taraba State
- Kurama Kaduna State
- Kurdul Adamawa State
- Kushi Bauchi State
- Kuteb Taraba State
- Kutin Taraba State
- Kwalla Plateau State
- Kwami (Kwom) Bauchi State
- Kwanchi Taraba State
- Kadung Bauchi State, Plateau State
- Kwaro Plateau State
- Kwato Plateau State
- Kyenga (Kengawa) Kebbi State
- Laaru (Larawa) Niger State
- Lakka Adamawa State
- Lala Adamawa State
- Lama Taraba State
- Lamja Taraba State
- Lau Taraba State
- Limono Bauchi State, Plateau State
- Lopa (Lupa, Lopawa) Niger State
- Longuda (Lunguda) Adamawa State, Bauchi State
- Mabo Plateau State
- Mada Kaduna State, Plateau State
- Mama Plateau State
- Mambilla Adamawa State
- Manchok Kaduna State
- Mandara (Wandala) Borno State
- Manga (Mangawa) Yobe State
- Margi (Marghi) Adamawa State, Borno State
- Matakarn Adamawa State
- Mbembe Cross River State, Enugu State
- Mbol Adamawa State
- Mbube Cross River State
- Mbula Adamawa State
- Mbum Taraba State
- Memyang (Meryan) Plateau State
- Miango Plateau State
- Miligili Plateau State
- Miya (Miyawa) Bauchi State
- Mobber Borno State
- Montol Plateau State
- Moruwa Kaduna State
- Muchaila Adamawa State
- Mumuye Taraba State
- Mundang Adamawa State
- Munga (Lelau) Taraba State
- Munga (Mupang) Plateau State
- Mupun Plateau State
- Mushere Plateau State
- Mwahavul (Mwaghavul) Plateau State
- Ndoro Taraba State
- Ngas Plateau State
- Ngizim Yobe State
- Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe-Ndhang) Adamawa State, Borno State
- Nyam Taraba State
- Ningi (Ningawa) Bauchi State
- Ninzam (Ninzo) Kaduna State, Plateau State
- Njayi Adamawa State
- Nkim Cross River State
- Nkum Cross River State
- Nokere (Nakere) Plateau State
- Nunku Kaduna State, Plateau State
- Nupe Kogi State, Kwara State, Niger State
- Nyandang Taraba State
- Ododop Cross River
- Ogori Kogi State
- Ogoni Akwa Ibom State, Rivers State
- Ogba Rivers State
- Okobo (Okkobor) Akwa Ibom State
- Okpamheri Edo State
- Okpe Edo State
- Olulumo Delta State
- Olukumi Delta State
- Oron Akwa Ibom State
- Owan Edo State
- Owe Kogi State
- Oworo Kogi State
- Pa’a (Pa’awa Afawa) Bauchi State
- Pai Plateau State
- Panyam Taraba State
- Pero Bauchi State
- Pire Adamawa State
- Pkanzom Taraba State
- Poll Taraba State
- Polchi Habe Bauchi State
- Pongo (Pongu) Niger State
- Potopo Taraba State
- Pyapun (Piapung) Plateau State
- Qua Cross River State
- Rebina (Rebinawa) Bauchi State
- Reshe Kebbi State, Niger State
- Rindire (Rendre) Plateau State
- Rishuwa Kaduna State
- Ron Plateau State
- Rubu Niger State
- Rukuba Plateau State
- Rumada Kaduna State
- Rumaya Kaduna State
- Sakbe Taraba State
- Sanga Bauchi State
- Sate Taraba State
- Saya (Sayawa Za’ar) Bauchi State, Kaduna State, Plateau State
- Segidi (Sigidawa) Bauchi State
- Shanga (Shangawa) Kebbi State
- Shangawa (ShanKadunagau) Plateau State
- Shan-Shan Plateau State
- Shira (Shira ) Bauchi State
- Shomo Taraba State
- Shuwa Adamawa State, Borno State, Kaduna State, Yobe State
- Sikdi Plateau State
- Siri (Sirawa) Bauchi State
- Surubu Kaduna State
- Sukur Adamawa State
- Sura Plateau State
- Tangale Gombe State
- Tarok Plateau State, Taraba State
- Teme Adamawa State
- Tera (Terawa) Bauchi State, Borno State
- Teshena (Teshenawa) Kano State
- Tigon Taraba State
- Tikar Taraba State
- Tula Gombe State
- Tur Adamawa State
- Ubbo Adamawa State
- Ufia Benue State
- Ukelle Cross River State
- Ukwani (Kwale) Delta State
- Uncinda Kaduna State, Kebbi State, Niger State
- Uneme (Ineme) Edo State
- Ura (Ula) Niger State
- Urhobo Delta State
- Utonkong Benue State
- Uyanga Cross River State
- Vemgo Adamawa State
- Verre Adamawa State
- Vommi Taraba State
- Wagga Adamawa State
- Waja Bauchi State
- Waka Taraba State
- Warja (Warja) Bauchi State
- Warji – Bauchi State
- Wula – Adamawa State
- Wurbo – Adamawa State
- Wurkun – Taraba State
- Yache – Cross River State
- Yagba – Kogi State
- Yakurr (Yako) – Cross River State
- Yalla – Benue State
- Yandang – Adamawa State, Taraba State
- Yergan (Yergum) – Plateau State
- Yott – Taraba State
- Yumu – Niger State
- Yungur – Adamawa State
- Yuom – Plateau State
- Zabara – Niger State
- Zaranda – Bauchi State
- Zarma (Zarmawa) – Kebbi State
- Zayam (Zeam) – Bauchi State
- Zul (Zulawa) – Bauchi State
