We discussed the top 10 richest states in Nigeria in our previous post and we promised to hit you up with the Top 10 Poorest States in Nigeria 2017 in our subsequent article and we are about to fulfill that promise right now. Nigeria is made up of 36 states and each of the states are contributing their own quoter to the development of the country’s economy.

These Nigerian states are expected to be productive based on their available natural resources, and are suppose to have a good and trust worthy government that will ensure that all the natural resources are adequately managed to generate its revenue. To ensure the continuous surviver of these states, they have to be very mindful of their decision in the aspect of harnessing these natural resources so that it can be evenly distributed across the country. However, some of the states are blessed with a lot of natural and mineral resources while other have nothing to rely on but they keep struggling to survive.

While some of these states are enjoying their best moment as they keep utilising what they have others are down to poverty by 70 percent. The truth is that most of the poorest states in Nigeria today are poor due to bad governance, mismanagement of state resources or security issues as the case may be. We are going to picking out the 10 poorest states in Nigeria using apparatus like infrastructural development, state of economy, literacy level, security and governance .

1. Sokoto state

Without any doubt, Sokoto state is the poorest state in Nigeria 2017 which has been like this for decades. Sokoto is generally rated as the poorest state in Nigeria, ranking 81.2% on poverty level. Its a northern Nigerian state known for it harsh climate conditions which has prevented foreigners from investment in the state. Some of the disadvantages in Sokoto state include 80% of Sokoto not urbanized, Majority of Sokoto citizens engage in subsistence farming and do not generate enough income, It is located in the extreme northwest part of Nigeria which might take up to 2days to get there when traveling by land.

Sokoto state was created in 1976 and it is also know as the Seat of the Caliphate. It has an estimated population of 4.5 million and the name Sokoto originates from the local name Sakkwato which has an Arabic origin. Majority of the people residing there are predominantly Muslim and they are being lead by a traditional ruler called the Sultan of Sokoto.

2. Zamfara State

Zamfara is a state located in northwestern Nigeria. Its capital is Gusau, Zamfara was formerly a part of Sokoto State before they later break out long time ago. Zamfara State was formed from the Old Sokoto state in 1996 and it is being governed by Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party. Agriculture is the most important occupation of the people of the state, hence its slogan “farming is our pride” . The total population of Zamfara State is About 3 million people and it is predominantly inhabited by Hausa and Fulani people.

3. Kastina state

Kastina state is the third poorest state in Nigeria and situated in the North central Nigeria being governed by Ibrahim Shettima of the Peoples’ Democratic Party. The state has the highest poverty prevalence amongst all states in the region. Their major set back is the absence of any solid investment or sector that generates revenue for the state.

4. Adamawa state

Adamawa state is one of the poorest state in Nigeria as a result of the frequent attack from Boko Haram terrorists. Properties worth millions are being destroyed on a daily basis while our military men are also doing everything possible to contain the menace. Due to the frequent attact from Boko Haram terrorists investors are running away from that region which is greatly killing their economy. Adamawa state’s economy has crippled as a result of its citizens running away from the state because of safety.

5. Gombe state

Gombe state is a Nigerian state located at the north-eastern part of Nigeria . They are also experiencing the same security issues like Adamawa state which has crippled economy to a 73.2% poverty level. It shares common borders with the states of Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Adamawa and Bauchi. The state is governed by rIbrahim Hassan Dankwambo of the Peoples’ Democratic Party.

6. Jigawa state

Jigawa state state is situated at the north-western part of Nigeria and basically populated with the Hausa/Fulani tribe. Jigawa state was carved out of the old Kano state and located in North central Nigeria and is under the leadership of Alhaji Sule lamido. Kano State and Katsina State border Jigawa to the west, Bauchi State to the east and Yobe State to the northeast. While to the north, Jigawa shares an international border with Zinder Region in The Republic of Niger, which is a unique opportunity for cross-border trading activities.

7. Plateau state

Plateau State is no doubt one of the largest state in Nigeria today precisely the twelfth largest state in the country. It is roughly located in the center of the country. Governed by Jonah Jang of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Plateau has naturally cool climate and has some eye catchy tourist attractions and it state capital is Jos. It has also suffered a long timely tribal conflict which has carelessly destroyed its economy by 71%.

8. Ebonyi state

Ebonyi state was created by Gen. Sanni Abacha in 1996, Ebonyi is the only south eastern state that falls among the top 10 poorest country which is so unfortunate. It is governed by Martin Elechi who currently claims his enemies have set aside N3bn for his impeachment. Ebonyi state has a poverty rate of 70.6% due to poverty, illiteracy and bad government.

9. Bauchi state

Bauchi is a Northern Nigerian state formed in 1976 when the former North-Eastern State was broken up. The word Bauchi means the land of freedom and tourism in Hausa . The recent Boko Haram adventures in the area has driven tourists away from the area which is now hitting hard on its economy. Meanwhile, Gov. Isa Juguda told Arewa told Arewa that economies of Northern states is finished due to the Boko Haram insurgency.

10. Kebbi state

Kebbi State is a north-western Nigeria state formed from part of Sokoto State in 1991. It shares border with Sokoto State,Niger State,Dosso Regionin the Republic of Niger and the nation of Benin. Kebbi state also known as the land of equity and it is mostly occupied by Muslim who mainly practice Islam as their religion.. Kebbi state has Nigeria’s most sophisticated airports and is expected to help to boost the state’s economy.

If you read this article carefully then you will effortlessly observe that almost all the states listed here are in the northern part of the country.  Their major setback is the Boko Haram insurgency issues.

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