Skip to content

Ethnic Groups In Nigeria & Their States (New)

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.

Ladies in Their Cultural Attires - Ethnic Groups In Nigeria

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

  1. Abayon – Cross River State
  2. Abua (Odual) – Rivers State
  3. Achipa (Achipawa) – Kebbi State
  4. Adim – Cross River State
  5. Adun – Cross River State
  6. Affade – Yobe State
  7. Afizere – Plateau State
  8. Afo – Plateau State
  9. Agbo – Cross River State
  10. Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk) – Cross River State
  11. Akweya-Yachi – Benue State
  12. Alago (Arago) – Plateau State
  13. Amo Plateau – State
  14. Anaguta Plateau State
  15. Anang Akwa Ibom – State
  16. Andoni – Akwa Ibom State, Rivers State
  17. Angas – Bauchi State, Plateau State
  18. Ankwei – Plateau State
  19. Anyima – Cross River State
  20. Attakar (ataka) – Kaduna State
  21. Auyoka (Sub-Hausa) – Jigawa State
  22. Awori – Lagos State, Ogun State
  23. Ayu – Kaduna State
  24. Babur (Pabir)/Bura – Adamawa State, Borno State, Taraba State, Yobe State
  25. Bachama – Adamawa State
  26. Bachere – Cross River State
  27. Bada – Plateau State
  28. Bade – Yobe State
  29. Baggara Arabs – Borno State
  30. Bahumono – Cross River State
  31. Bakulung – Taraba State
  32. Bali – Taraba State
  33. Bambora (Bambarawa) – Bauchi State
  34. Bambuko – Taraba State
  35. Banda (Bandawa) – Taraba State
  36. Banka (Bankalawa) – Bauchi State
  37. Banso (Panso) – Adamawa State
  38. Bara (Barawa) – Bauchi State
  39. Barke – Bauchi State
  40. Baruba (Barba) – Niger State
  41. Bashiri (Bashirawa) – Plateau State
  42. Bassa – Kaduna State, Kogi State, Niger State, Plateau State
  43. Batta – Adamawa State
  44. Baushi – Niger State
  45. Baya – Adamawa State
  46. Bekwarra – Cross River State
  47. Bele (Buli, Belewa) – Bauchi State
  48. Betso (Bete) – Taraba State
  49. Bette – Cross River State
  50. Bilei – Adamawa State
  51. Bille – Adamawa State
  52. Bina (Binawa) – Kaduna State
  53. Bini (Edo) – Edo State
  54. Birom – Plateau State
  55. Bobua – Taraba State
  56. Boki (Nki) – Cross River State
  57. Bokkos – Plateau State
  58. Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa) – Niger State
  59. Bole (Bolewa) – Bauchi State, Yobe State
  60. Botlere – Adamawa State
  61. Boma (Bomawa, Burmano) – Bauchi State
  62. Bomboro – Bauchi State
  63. Buduma – Borno State
  64. Buji – Plateau State
  65. Buli – Bauchi State
  66. Bunu – Kogi State
  67. Bura/Babur (Pabir) – Adamawa State, Borno State
  68. Burak – Bauchi State
  69. Burma (Burmawa) – Plateau State
  70. Buru Yobe – State
  71. Buta (Butawa) – Bauchi State
  72. Bwall – Plateau State
  73. Bwatiye – Adamawa State
  74. Bwazza – Adamawa State
  75. Challa – Plateau State
  76. Chama (Chamawa Fitilai) – Bauchi State
  77. Chamba – Taraba State
  78. Chamo – Bauchi State
  79. Chibok (Kibaku) – Borno State, Yobe State
  80. Chinine – Borno State
  81. Chip – Plateau State
  82. Chokobo – Plateau State
  83. Chukkol – Taraba State
  84. Daba – Adamawa State
  85. Dadiya – Bauchi State
  86. Daka – Adamawa State
  87. Dakarkari – Kebbi State, Niger State
  88. Danda (Dandawa) – Kebbi State
  89. Dangsa – Taraba State
  90. Daza (Dere, Derewa) – Bauchi State
  91. Degema – Rivers State
  92. Deno (Denawa) – Bauchi State
  93. Dghwede – Borno State
  94. Diba – Taraba State
  95. Doemak (Dumuk) – Plateau State
  96. Ouguri – Bauchi State
  97. Duka (Dukawa) – Kebbi State
  98. Duma (Dumawa) – Bauchi State
  99. Ebana (Ebani) – Rivers State
  100. Ebira – Edo State, Kogi State, Ondo State
  101. Ebu – Edo State, Kogi State
  102. Efik – Cross River State
  103. Egbema – Rivers State
  104. Egede (Igedde) – Benue State
  105. Eggon – Plateau State
  106. Egun (Gu) – Lagos State, Ogun State
  107. Ejagham – Cross River State
  108. Ekajuk – Cross River State
  109. Eket – Akwa Ibom
  110. Ekoi – Cross River State
  111. Ekpeye – Rivers State
  112. Engenni (Ngene) – Rivers State
  113. Epie – Rivers State
  114. Esan (Ishan) – Edo State
  115. Etche – Rivers State
  116. Etolu (Etilo) – Benue State
  117. Etsako – Edo State
  118. Etung – Cross River State
  119. Etuno – Edo State
  120. Palli – Adamawa State
  121. Fyam (Fyem) – Plateau State
  122. Fyer(Fer) – Plateau State
  123. Ga’anda – Adamawa State
  124. Gade – Niger State
  125. Galambi – Bauchi State
  126. Gamergu-Mulgwa – Borno State
  127. Qanawuri – Plateau State
  128. Gavako – Borno State
  129. Gbedde – Kogi State
  130. Gengle – Taraba State
  131. Geji – Bauchi State
  132. Gera (Gere, Gerawa) – Bauchi State
  133. Geruma (Gerumawa) – Plateau State
  134. Gingwak – Bauchi State
  135. Gira – Adamawa State
  136. Gizigz – Adamawa State
  137. Goemai – Plateau State
  138. Gokana (Kana) – Rivers State
  139. Gombi Adamawa State
  140. Gornun (Gmun) – Taraba State
  141. Gonia – Taraba State
  142. Gubi (Gubawa) – Bauchi State
  143. Gude – Adamawa State
  144. Gudu – Adamawa State
  145. Gure – Kaduna State
  146. Gurmana – Niger State
  147. Gururntum – Bauchi State
  148. Gusu – Plateau State
  149. Gwa (Gurawa) – Adamawa State
  150. Gwamba – Adamawa State
  151. Gwandara – Kaduna State, Niger State, Plateau State Gwari (Gbagi) Kaduna State, Kogi State, Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Plateau State
  152. Gwong (Kagoma) – Kaduna State
  153. Gwom – Taraba State
  154. Gwoza (Waha) – Borno State
  155. Gyem – Bauchi State
  156. Ham (Hyam, Jaba, Jabba) – Kaduna State
  157. Holma – Adamawa State
  158. Hona – Adamawa State
  159. Ibeno – Akwa Ibom State
  160. Ichen – Adamawa State
  161. Ijumu – Kogi State
  162. Ika – Delta State
  163. Ikom – Cross River State
  164. Ikwerre – Rivers State
  165. Irigwe – Plateau State
  166. Isoko – Delta State
  167. Itsekiri – Delta State
  168. Iyala (Iyalla) – Cross River State
  169. Jahuna (Jahunawa) – Taraba State
  170. Jaku – Bauchi State
  171. Jara – Bauchi State
  172. Jere – Bauchi State, Plateau State
  173. Jero – Taraba State
  174. Jibu – Adamawa State
  175. Jidda-Abu – Plateau State
  176. Jimbin (Jimbinawa) – Bauchi State
  177. Jirai – Adamawa State
  178. Jonjo (Jenjo) – Taraba State
  179. Jukun Bauchi State, Benue State, Plateau State, Taraba State
  180. Kaba(Kabawa) Taraba State
  181. Kadara Kaduna State, Niger State
  182. Kafanchan Kaduna State
  183. Kagoro Kaduna State
  184. Kaje (Kache) Kaduna State
  185. Kajuru (Kajurawa) Kaduna State
  186. Kaka Adamawa State
  187. Kamaku (Karnukawa) Kaduna State, Kebbi State, Niger State
  188. Kambari Kebbi State, Niger State
  189. Kambu Adamawa State
  190. Kanakuru (Dera) Adamawa State, Borno State
  191. Kanembu Borno State
  192. Kanikon Kaduna State
  193. Kantana Plateau State
  194. Karekare (Karaikarai) Bauchi State, Yobe State
  195. Karimjo Taraba State
  196. Kariya Bauchi State
  197. Katab (Kataf) Kaduna State
  198. Kenern (Koenoem) Plateau State
  199. Kenton Taraba State
  200. Kiballo (Kiwollo) Kaduna State
  201. Kilba Adamawa State
  202. Kirfi (Kirfawa) Bauchi State
  203. Koma Taraba State
  204. Kona Taraba State
  205. Koro (Kwaro) Kaduna State, Niger State
  206. Kubi (Kubawa) Bauchi State
  207. Kudachano (Kudawa) Bauchi State
  208. Kugama Taraba State
  209. Kulere (Kaler) Plateau State
  210. Kunini Taraba State
  211. Kurama Kaduna State
  212. Kurdul Adamawa State
  213. Kushi Bauchi State
  214. Kuteb Taraba State
  215. Kutin Taraba State
  216. Kwalla Plateau State
  217. Kwami (Kwom) Bauchi State
  218. Kwanchi Taraba State
  219. Kadung Bauchi State, Plateau State
  220. Kwaro Plateau State
  221. Kwato Plateau State
  222. Kyenga (Kengawa) Kebbi State
  223. Laaru (Larawa) Niger State
  224. Lakka Adamawa State
  225. Lala Adamawa State
  226. Lama Taraba State
  227. Lamja Taraba State
  228. Lau Taraba State
  229. Limono Bauchi State, Plateau State
  230. Lopa (Lupa, Lopawa) Niger State
  231. Longuda (Lunguda) Adamawa State, Bauchi State
  232. Mabo Plateau State
  233. Mada Kaduna State, Plateau State
  234. Mama Plateau State
  235. Mambilla Adamawa State
  236. Manchok Kaduna State
  237. Mandara (Wandala) Borno State
  238. Manga (Mangawa) Yobe State
  239. Margi (Marghi) Adamawa State, Borno State
  240. Matakarn Adamawa State
  241. Mbembe Cross River State, Enugu State
  242. Mbol Adamawa State
  243. Mbube Cross River State
  244. Mbula Adamawa State
  245. Mbum Taraba State
  246. Memyang (Meryan) Plateau State
  247. Miango Plateau State
  248. Miligili Plateau State
  249. Miya (Miyawa) Bauchi State
  250. Mobber Borno State
  251. Montol Plateau State
  252. Moruwa Kaduna State
  253. Muchaila Adamawa State
  254. Mumuye Taraba State
  255. Mundang Adamawa State
  256. Munga (Lelau) Taraba State
  257. Munga (Mupang) Plateau State
  258. Mupun Plateau State
  259. Mushere Plateau State
  260. Mwahavul (Mwaghavul) Plateau State
  261. Ndoro Taraba State
  262. Ngas Plateau State
  263. Ngizim Yobe State
  264. Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe-Ndhang) Adamawa State, Borno State
  265. Nyam Taraba State
  266. Ningi (Ningawa) Bauchi State
  267. Ninzam (Ninzo) Kaduna State, Plateau State
  268. Njayi Adamawa State
  269. Nkim Cross River State
  270. Nkum Cross River State
  271. Nokere (Nakere) Plateau State
  272. Nunku Kaduna State, Plateau State
  273. Nupe Kogi State, Kwara State, Niger State
  274. Nyandang Taraba State
  275. Ododop Cross River
  276. Ogori Kogi State
  277. Ogoni Akwa Ibom State, Rivers State
  278. Ogba Rivers State
  279. Okobo (Okkobor) Akwa Ibom State
  280. Okpamheri Edo State
  281. Okpe Edo State
  282. Olulumo Delta State
  283. Olukumi Delta State
  284. Oron Akwa Ibom State
  285. Owan Edo State
  286. Owe Kogi State
  287. Oworo Kogi State
  288. Pa’a (Pa’awa Afawa) Bauchi State
  289. Pai Plateau State
  290. Panyam Taraba State
  291. Pero Bauchi State
  292. Pire Adamawa State
  293. Pkanzom Taraba State
  294. Poll Taraba State
  295. Polchi Habe Bauchi State
  296. Pongo (Pongu) Niger State
  297. Potopo Taraba State
  298. Pyapun (Piapung) Plateau State
  299. Qua Cross River State
  300. Rebina (Rebinawa) Bauchi State
  301. Reshe Kebbi State, Niger State
  302. Rindire (Rendre) Plateau State
  303. Rishuwa Kaduna State
  304. Ron Plateau State
  305. Rubu Niger State
  306. Rukuba Plateau State
  307. Rumada Kaduna State
  308. Rumaya Kaduna State
  309. Sakbe Taraba State
  310. Sanga Bauchi State
  311. Sate Taraba State
  312. Saya (Sayawa Za’ar) Bauchi State, Kaduna State, Plateau State
  313. Segidi (Sigidawa) Bauchi State
  314. Shanga (Shangawa) Kebbi State
  315. Shangawa (ShanKadunagau) Plateau State
  316. Shan-Shan Plateau State
  317. Shira (Shira ) Bauchi State
  318. Shomo Taraba State
  319. Shuwa Adamawa State, Borno State, Kaduna State, Yobe State
  320. Sikdi Plateau State
  321. Siri (Sirawa) Bauchi State
  322. Surubu Kaduna State
  323. Sukur Adamawa State
  324. Sura Plateau State
  325. Tangale Gombe State
  326. Tarok Plateau State, Taraba State
  327. Teme Adamawa State
  328. Tera (Terawa) Bauchi State, Borno State
  329. Teshena (Teshenawa) Kano State
  330. Tigon Taraba State
  331. Tikar Taraba State
  332. Tula Gombe State
  333. Tur Adamawa State
  334. Ubbo Adamawa State
  335. Ufia Benue State
  336. Ukelle Cross River State
  337. Ukwani (Kwale) Delta State
  338. Uncinda Kaduna State, Kebbi State, Niger State
  339. Uneme (Ineme) Edo State
  340. Ura (Ula) Niger State
  341. Urhobo Delta State
  342. Utonkong Benue State
  343. Uyanga Cross River State
  344. Vemgo Adamawa State
  345. Verre Adamawa State
  346. Vommi Taraba State
  347. Wagga Adamawa State
  348. Waja Bauchi State
  349. Waka Taraba State
  350. Warja (Warja) Bauchi State
  351. Warji Bauchi State
  352. Wula Adamawa State
  353. Wurbo Adamawa State
  354. Wurkun Taraba State
  355. Yache Cross River State
  356. Yagba Kogi State
  357. Yakurr (Yako)Cross River State
  358. Yalla Benue State
  359. Yandang Adamawa State, Taraba State
  360. Yergan (Yergum)Plateau State
  361. Yott Taraba State
  362. Yumu Niger State
  363. Yungur Adamawa State
  364. Yuom Plateau State
  365. Zabara Niger State
  366. Zaranda Bauchi State
  367. Zarma (Zarmawa)Kebbi State
  368. Zayam (Zeam)Bauchi State
  369. Zul (Zulawa)Bauchi State
Share this post on social!
nv-author-image

Editorial Team

We're a team of experienced content creators in Nigeria who help to keep this website updated with valuable and verified information.View Author posts