List of ethnic groups in Nigeria

Nigeria is a very ethnically diverse country with 371 ethnic groups, the largest of which are the Hausa, Yoruba and the Igbo.[1] Nigeria has one official language which is English, as a result of the British colonial rule over the nation. Nevertheless, it is not spoken as a first language in the entire country because other languages have been around for over a thousand years making them the major languages in terms of numbers of native speakers. Nigeria stands out as one of the world's most linguistically diverse nations, with over 500 languages spoken among its 223 million[2][3]people (2023 estimate[4]), a testament to its rich ethnic heritage. Some of the popular languages spoken in Nigeria are listed as follows: Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Ibibio, Kanuri, Ijaw, Edo, Fulfude, Tiv, and Urhobo to name a few.[5][6][7][8][9]

Ethnicity in Nigeria (2018)[10]

  Hausa (30%)
  Yoruba (15.5%)
  Igbo (15.2%)
  Fulani (6%)
  Ibibio (1.8%)
  Tiv (2.4%)
  Kanuri (2.4%)
  Ijaw (1.8%)
  Others (24.9%)

List of ethnic groups

The following is a non-exhaustive list of ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Name of Ethnic Group[11] State
Abayon Cross River State
Abua (Odual) Rivers State
Achipa (Achipawa) Kebbi State
Adara (Kadara) Kaduna State, Niger State
Affade Yobe State
Afizere Plateau State
Afo (Eloyi) Nasarawa State
Agbo Cross River State
Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk) Cross River State
Akweya-Yachi Benue State
Alago (Arago) Nasarawa State
Amo Plateau State
Anaguta Plateau State
Anang Akwa Ibom State
Andoni Akwa Ibom State, Rivers State
Ankwei Plateau State
Anyima Cross River State
Atyap (Kataf/Katab, Attakar, Kagoro, Kafanchan, Marwa/Manchok) Kaduna State
Auyoka (Sub-Hausa) Jigawa State
Awori Lagos State, Ogun State
Ayu Kaduna State
Bura-Pabir Adamawa State, Borno State, Yobe State
Bachama Adamawa State
Bachere Cross River State
Bada Plateau State
Bade Yobe State
Bahumono Cross River State
Bakulung Taraba State
Bali Taraba State
Bambora (Bambarawa) Bauchi State
Bambuko Taraba State
Bajju (Kaje, Kajji) Kaduna State
Banda (Bandawa) Taraba State
Banka (Bankalawa) Bauchi State
Banso (Panso) Adamawa State
Bara (Barawa) Bauchi State
Barke Bauchi State
Baruba (Batonu) Kwara State, 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
Bele (Buli, Belewa) Bauchi State
Berom (Birom) Plateau State
Betso (Bete) Taraba State
Bette Cross River State
Bille Adamawa State
Bille Rivers State
Bina (Binawa) Kaduna State
Bini (Edo) Edo State
Bobua Taraba State
Boki (Nki) Cross River State
Bokkos Plateau State
Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa) Niger State
Bole (Bolewa) Bauchi State, Gombe 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-Pabir Adamawa State, Borno State, Yobe 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 Adamawa StateTaraba State,
Chamo Bauchi State
Chibok (Kibaku people) 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
Deno (Denawa) Bauchi State
Dghwede Borno State
Diba Taraba State
Doemak (Dumuk) Plateau State
Ouguri Bauchi State
Duka (Dukawa) Kebbi State
Dundudun (Dunka) Taraba 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
Egede (Igede) Benue State, Cross River State
Eggon Nasarawa State
Egun (Gu) Lagos State, Ogun State
Ejagham Cross River State
Ekajuk Cross River State
Eket Akwa Ibom
Ekoi Cross River State
Engenni (Ngene) Rivers State
Epie Bayelsa State
Esan (Ishan) Edo State
Esit Ekid Akwa Ibom State
Etolu (Etilo) Benue State
Etsako Edo State
Etung Cross River State
Etuno Edo State
Palli Adamawa State
Fulani (Fulbe) Adamawa State, Bauchi State, Borno State, Gombe State, Jigawa State, Kaduna State, Kano State, Katsina State, Kebbi State, Kwara State, Niger State, Plateau State, Sokoto State, Taraba State, Yobe State, Zamfara State
Fyam (Fyem) Plateau State
Fyer (Fer) Plateau State
Ga'anda Adamawa State
Gade people Niger State Nasarawa State
Galambi Bauchi State
Gamergu-Mulgwa Borno State
Ganawuri 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, Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa State
Gwari (Gbagyi) Kaduna State, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nasarawa State, Niger State,

Kogi State

Gwong (Kagoma) Kaduna State
Gwom Taraba State
Gwoza (Waha) Borno State
Gyem Bauchi State
Ham (Hyam, Jaba, Jabba) Kaduna State
Hausa Bauchi State, Jigawa State, Kaduna State, Kano State, Katsina State, Kebbi State, Sokoto State, Taraba State, Gombe State, Yobe State, Zamfara State
Holma Adamawa State
Hona Adamawa State
Ibani Rivers State
Ibeno Akwa Ibom State
Ibibio Akwa Ibom State, Abia State, Cross River State
Ichen Adamawa State
Idoma Benue State, Cross River State, Kogi State, Nassarawa State
Igala Kogi State
Igbira kogi state
Igbo Abia State, Anambra State, Delta State, Ebonyi State, Enugu State, Imo State, Rivers State
Igede Benue State, Cross River State
Ijumu Kogi State
Ika Delta State, Edo State
Ikom Cross River State
Irigwe Plateau State
Iman Akwa Ibom State
Isoko Delta State, Bayelsa State
Itsekiri (Isekiri) Delta State
Itu Akwa Ibom State
Itu Mbon Uso Akwa Ibom State
Iyala (Iyalla) Cross River State
Izon (Ijaw) Bayelsa State, Delta State, Rivers State
Jahuna (Jahunawa) Taraba State
Jaku Bauchi State
Jara (Jaar Jarawa Jarawa-Dutse) Bauchi State
Jere (Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa) Bauchi State, Plateau State
Jero Taraba State
Jibu Adamawa State
Jidda-Abu Plateau State
Jimbin (Jimbinawa) Bauchi State
Jipal Plateau State
Jirai Adamawa State
Joinkrama Rivers State
Jonjo (Jenjo) Taraba State
Jukun Bauchi State, Benue State, Plateau State, Taraba State
Kaba (Kabawa) Taraba State
Kalabari Rivers State
Kajuru (Kajurawa) Kaduna State
Kaka Adamawa State
Kamaku (Karnukawa) Kaduna State, Kebbi State, Niger State
Kambari Kebbi State, Niger State
Kambu Adamawa State
Kamwe Adamawa State and Borno State (Republic of Cameroon)
Kanakuru (Dera) Adamawa State, Borno State
Kanembu Borno State
Kanikon Kaduna State
Kantana Plateau State
Kanuri Adamawa State, Borno State, Taraba State, Yobe State, Nasarawa state.
Karai-karai (Karekare) Bauchi State, Yobe State
Karimjo Taraba State
Kariya Bauchi State
Ke Rivers State
Kenern (Koenoem) Plateau State
Kenton Taraba State
Kiballo (Kiwollo) Kaduna State
Kilba Adamawa State
Kirfi (Kirfawa) Bauchi State
Kodei Taraba State
Kona Taraba State
Kono Kaduna State
Koro (Kwaro) Kaduna State, Niger State
Kubi (Kubawa) Bauchi State
Kudachano (Kudawa) Bauchi State
Kugama Taraba State
Kugbo Rivers State
Kulere (Kaler) Plateau State
Kunini Taraba State
Kurama (Akurmi) Kaduna State, Jigawa State
Kurdul Adamawa State
Kushi Bauchi State
Kuteb Taraba State
Kutin Taraba State
Kwalla Plateau State
Kwale Delta 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
Mandara (Wandala) Borno State
Manga (Mangawa) Yobe State
Margi (Marghi) Adamawa State, Borno State
Mafa Adamawa State, Borno State
Mbembe Cross River State, Enugu State
Mbol Adamawa State
Mbube Cross River State
Mbula Adamawa State
Mbum Taraba State
Memyang (Meryan) Plateau State
Milighili (Mighili) Plateau State
Miya (Miyawa) Bauchi State
Mobber Borno State
Montol Plateau State
Moruwa (Moro'a, Morwa) 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 (Angas) Plateau State, Bauchi State
Ngizim Yobe State
Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe-Ndhang) Adamawa State, Borno State
Nyiffon Benue 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
Nyam Taraba State
Nyandang Taraba State
Obolo Rivers State, Akwa Ibom
Ododop Cross River
Ogba Rivers State
Ogori Kogi State
Okobo (Okkobor) Akwa Ibom State
Okirika Rivers State
Okpamheri Edo State
Olukumi Delta State
Oron Akwa Ibom State

Cross River State

Ososo Edo 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 (Baggara Arabs) Adamawa State, Borno State, Kaduna State, Yobe State
Sikdi Plateau State
Siri (Sirawa) Bauchi State
Srubu (Surubu) Kaduna State
Sukur Adamawa State
Sura Plateau State
Tangale Gombe State
Tarok (Yergam) Plateau State, Taraba State, Nasarawa State
Teme Adamawa State
Tera (Terawa) Bauchi State, Borno State
Teshena (Teshenawa) Kano State
Tigon Taraba State
Tikar Taraba State
Tiv Benue State, FCT, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Plateau State, Taraba State
Tula Gombe State
Tur Adamawa State
Ubbo Adamawa State
Udekeama Rivers State
Ufia Benue State
Ukelle Cross River State, Ebonyi state, Benue state
Uncinda Kaduna State, Kebbi State, Niger State,
Uneme (Ineme) Edo State
Ura (Ula) Niger State
Urhobo Delta State, Edo State, Bayelsa State.
Utonkong Benue State
Uwanno (Weppa-Wanno) Edo 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
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
Yoruba Ekiti State, Kogi State, Kwara State, Lagos State, Ogun State, Ondo State, Osun State, Oyo 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

References

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  2. ^ "Population in Africa, by country 2023". Statista. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  3. ^ Ologunagbe, Olamide (2023-04-19). "Nigeria's population to hit 223.8 million in 2023 - UN -". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  4. ^ "World Bank Open Data". World Bank Open Data. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
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  7. ^ "Nigeria: most common languages spoken at home 2022". Statista. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  8. ^ "371 Languages in Nigeria, and the states/people that speak them". InfoGuideNigeria.com. 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  9. ^ folukeifejola (2016-11-23). "The 512 Languages Spoken in Nigeria". Foluke's African Skies. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  10. ^ "Africa: Nigeria". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  11. ^ "Full list of all 371 tribes in Nigeria, states where they originate". Vanguard News. 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2022-05-23.