₦airaland Forum

Most of the poorest states are concentrated in the northern region.

Nigeria has vast natural resources and potential for growth but it continues to grapple with high poverty rates, particularly in certain regions.

Most of the poorest states are concentrated in the northern region, where insecurity, infrastructural decay, weak institutions, and low human development indices persist. While various government interventions and programs have been introduced to tackle poverty, progress has been slow due to corruption, mismanagement, and lack of sustainable planning.

Here are the 10 poorest states in Nigeria, highlighting the unique socio-economic and structural challenges that each state faces.

1. Sokoto State

• Poverty Rate: 87.73%

• Region: North West

• Capital: Sokoto

• Population (2023): 5.52 million

Sokoto tops the list as the poorest state in Nigeria. Its economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, but extreme temperatures and poor irrigation limit productivity. Security challenges, including bandit attacks, have displaced farmers and worsened food shortages. Sokoto has poor infrastructure, high unemployment, and limited access to healthcare and education. The state struggles to provide basic needs for its residents.

2. Taraba State

• Poverty Rate: 87.72%

• Region: North East

• Capital: Jalingo

• Population (2023): 3.27 million

Despite being rich in natural resources and agricultural potential, Taraba suffers from underdeveloped infrastructure and security issues caused by communal clashes. These challenges have crippled its economy and left many residents dependent on low-yield subsistence farming. Inadequate access to education and healthcare has also contributed to its high poverty rate.

3. Jigawa State

• Poverty Rate: 87.02%

• Region: North West

• Capital: Dutse

• Population (2023): 5.83 million

Created in 1991, Jigawa depends heavily on agriculture. However, outdated farming methods, low rainfall, and poor access to education and healthcare continue to plague the state. Corruption and mismanagement of government support programs have hindered progress, leaving the majority of the population in poverty.

4. Ebonyi State

• Poverty Rate: 79.76%

• Region: South East

• Capital: Abakaliki

• Population (2023): 3.32 million

Ebonyi is the only southern state on this list, reflecting that poverty is not solely a regional issue. With most of the population engaged in small-scale farming, poor soil quality and environmental degradation further limit productivity. Poor infrastructure and limited social services worsen the living conditions, and despite government initiatives, little progress has been made in reducing poverty.

5. Adamawa State

• Poverty Rate: 75.41%

• Region: North East

• Capital: Yola

• Population (2023): 4.25 million

Adamawa’s agricultural economy has been destabilized by years of insurgency, particularly from Boko Haram. Displacement and insecurity have disrupted farming and access to essential services. Poor infrastructure and limited investment in education and health continue to push the majority of its residents deeper into poverty.

6. Zamfara State

• Poverty Rate: 73.98%

• Region: North West

• Capital: Gusau

• Population (2023): 4.52 million

Zamfara’s economic and social challenges are deeply rooted in insecurity, high debt levels, and poor educational access. Banditry and communal conflicts have paralyzed agricultural activity, and with a growing number of out-of-school children, the future prospects for development remain grim.

7. Yobe State

• Poverty Rate: 72.34%

• Region: North East

• Capital: Damaturu

• Population (2023): 3.29 million

Yobe suffers from chronic insecurity due to insurgency, poor infrastructure, and limited access to healthcare and education. These challenges have led to widespread displacement, making it difficult for residents to lead stable, productive lives.

8. Kebbi State

• Poverty Rate: 60.11%

• Region: North West

• Capital: Birnin Kebbi

• Population (2023): 5.56 million

Kebbi struggles with high unemployment, poor infrastructure, and rising infant mortality rates. Despite some government programs, corruption and poor resource management hinder progress. Many citizens lack access to clean water, electricity, and adequate healthcare.

9. Gombe State

• Poverty Rate: 62.31%

• Region: North East

• Capital: Gombe

• Population (2023): 3.51 million

Though rich in agricultural potential, Gombe faces massive infrastructural deficits and youth unemployment. Poor road networks limit farmers’ access to markets, while a struggling education system and unreliable power supply stifle economic growth and entrepreneurship.

10. Bauchi State

• Poverty Rate: 61.53%

• Region: North East

• Capital: Bauchi

• Population (2023): 7.16 million

Bauchi is among the most populous of the poorest states. Agricultural activity is widespread, but poor soil, inconsistent rainfall, and limited infrastructure hamper productivity. Underfunded healthcare and educational systems further deepen the cycle of poverty.

Poverty remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, affecting millions of citizens and stalling the country’s economic development. To truly address poverty in these regions, Nigeria must prioritize inclusive development, security, and investments in human capital.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/poorest-state-in-nigeria-2025050209332442160

Oga ooo

Ebonyi is actually poor. But I have two questions.

1.
What percentage of poverty alleviation funds or programmes by the federal government gets to Ebonyi State?

2.
What is the Common Entrance Examination cut-off mark for Ebonyi State?

Do the comparisons if you still doubt the glaring tribalism and marginalisation that the East faces in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, those who use Monday sit-at-home order to mock the East are disappointed here as Enugu, Anambra, Abia and Imo are not on the list. They even published that the sit-at-home order has crippled the economy of the East.

Cruzmaster:
Ebonyi keep painting us black

Be realistic. Ebonyi is a very young State. Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra were together as one State. During that period, development was focused more on Enugu as the state capital. This also explains why Enugu is more developed than Anambra despite the fact that Anambra has richer people. Enugu and Ebonyi were later carved out to coexist as one State and they remained together as such for some years before Ebonyi was carved out of Enugu.

Always, na dem

Ebonyi keep painting us black

The problem is how to identify those who are truly poor. There are people in Nigeria who are classified as poor, that is, living on less than a dollar daily. But some of these people may have much more money at their disposal. Ordinarily you'd classify beggars as poor, but believe me many of them aren't poor at all, they're just preying on other people's generosity. A man recently narrated how he'd been giving a certain beggar 2k on Fridays, but later discovered that the beggar owns three keke that he's hiring out. The method they are using in assessing the poverty level is misleading and wrong.

Terrible statistics...
For years of power consolidation in the north, one will expect the opposite. They clamor for power yet don't lift a finger to better there region.

I just imagine a Southeasterner been president for just 2 term, the reform and transformation in the southeast will be unbelievable

It's a lie, Ebonyi is filled with billionaires

What of kogi?

×10 Nigeria revenue from free oil money, story won't change. What you work hard for doesn't go to waste

Yet, their priority is religion and the people from the south

Ha

Despite having the highest number of heads of states/presidents the region remains the poorest. There’s a reason they don’t want them to be literates.

Hummm

AmazingGenius:
[b]Most of the poorest states are concentrated in the northern region.


Source: https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/poorest-state-in-nigeria-2025050209332442160

Ebonyi was obviously added in form of Balancing Act.

Cruzmaster:
Ebonyi keep painting us black

Just imagine... Your brothers? This is why Anioma must not join the southeast.

And yet the state governors are wealthy....
We need to learn how to hold these state thieves responsible for alot of these things.... Unless their states don't get federal allocation....
If your state gets federal allocation monthly... There is no reason for your state to be like this...

Money Na Water!
Property Developers!
Importers & Exporters!
Investors!

Where is Ekiti?

Aq

Somehow, some poor people in unmentioned states will be licking their tongues and be smiling quietly while muttering, "atleast am richer than some people"

Atiku's home dey there o!

Release the list of top 10 under performing governors instead because brainless governors made these people or states poor.

Let's highlight the underperformers for people to be educated about what their problems really are rather than pitch one tribe against another or one state against another. We can have:

List of top 10 most corrupt governors
List of top 50 under performing lawmakers
List of top 10 misfits amongst the ministers
List of senators who proposed zero bills in 4 years
List of 50 most under performing government agencies

SW has been the richest region in Nigeria even without Lagos.It has been so since the inception of Nigeria.
We should take another look at regionalism,biko.

AAHHHH OKAY oo

AmazingGenius:
[b]Most of the poorest states are concentrated in the northern region.


Source: https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/poorest-state-in-nigeria-2025050209332442160

A STATE CAN BE RICH BUT FILLED WITH POOR People.

STATE THAT TASK ITS CITIZENS
STATE THAT UNDERPAYS WORKERS
STATE THAT ENRICHES ITS POLITICIANS


A POOR STATE CAN PRODUCE RICH PEOPLE BUT A RICH STATE MOSTIMES PROMOTES OPPRESSION AND POOR PEOPLE.

IF YOU CHECK WELL U WILL DISCOVER THIS STATE LISTED ABOVE HAVE CHEAP SERVICES AND GOODS.

ACCOMODATION IS CHEAP
TRANSPORTATION AFFORDABLE
FOOD IS VERY CHEAP AND AFFORDABLE

COMPARED TO LAGOS, ABUJA, PORTHARCOUT, DELTA AND OTHERS WHERE FOOD PRICES ARE HIGH, TRANSPORTATION EXPENSIVE AND HOUSES UNAFFORDABLE.

SALARY MAY BE HIGH BUT JUST HOUSE RENT ALONE SWALLOWS ALL YOUR 6 MONTHS SALARY.

YOU WORK AND DON'T EVEN HAVE EVIDENCE OF SAVINGS ..JUST WORKING FROM HAND TO MOUTH.

LIKE I SAID Earlier , A STATE MAY BE RICH BUT THE POVERTY LEVEL MAY BE HIGH.. PEOPLE LIVING BELOW STANDARD SUFFERING TO EXIST

D former governor of Ebonyi has hotels that are more than 10, houses that are more than 100...

Trillions of Naira on his disposal...

I swear to God, am not exaggerating

Including Lagos State and Oyo State

Ofemannnu:
SW has been the richest region in Nigeria even without Lagos.It has been so since the inception of Nigeria.
We should take another look at regionalism,biko.

You’re correct..

Right from before white people came over, we’ve always got doings..

Regionalism is the way. This unitary drew us back a lot.

Umueme:
Ha

Despite having the highest number of heads of states/presidents the region remains the poorest. There’s a reason they don’t want them to be literates.

religion is the one factor taking d north downwards. They practise religion that is against progress and civilization