In some parts of Nigeria, poverty is most prevalent due to reasons such as economic instability, insurgency and ethnicity. The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) revealed that 26.6 percent of Nigeria’s over 170 million people are destitute, while 68.0 percent and 84.5 percent of the Nigerian population lived below $1.25 per day and $2 per day.

According to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics, which oversees and publishes statistics in Nigeria, these 10 states are the poorest in the country with over 70 percent poverty rate.

Sokoto

Sokoto state has been rated the poorest state in Nigeria with an 81.2 percent poverty rate. It has harsh climate conditions going as high as 45c on a good day, making it harder for irrigation projects. Yet despite this, it has about 80 percent of its population practising rural agriculture.

Katsina

A state located in North western Nigeria, has the highest poverty rate in the region with 74.5 percent.

Adamawa

In recent times this state has suffered attacks from Boko Haram terrorists. This has in many ways have hindered economic development and contributed to the state’s 74.2 percent poverty rate.

Gombe

Situated within the North eastern region of Nigeria, it has also suffered numerous attacks from the local terror group. It has a 74.2 percent poverty rate.

Jigawa

Jigawa state is situated in the north-western part of the country. It is mostly populated by the Hausa/Fulani, who are spread throughout the state. It has a 74.1 percent poverty rate.

Plateau

Plateau is the twelfth largest state in Nigeria. Its long and rooted history of tribal clashes have hampered the growth of a once promising economic geography. These clashes were often between Fulani herdsmen and it’s inhabitants. It has a 74.1 percent poverty rate.

Ebonyi

This is the only state from the south- eastern region which falls under the top poorest countries, with a 73.6 percent poverty rate.

These are closely followed by Bauchi, Kebbi and Zamfara with 73 percent, 72 percent and 70.8 percent poverty rates respectively.

Niger has been ranked the state with the lowest poverty rate, closely followed by Osun state with 37.9 percent and Ondo 45.7 percent. Bayelsa and Lagos both have less than 50 percent poverty rate, with 47 and 48.6 percent respectively.

Elsewhere on Ventures

Triangle arrow