Ethnic groups in Nigeria include more than 250 communities spread across the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This guide lists the major and minority ethnic groups in alphabetical order, by state, and by geopolitical zone.
How Many Ethnic Groups Are in Nigeria?
Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups.
Some academic sources identify more than 370 ethnic identities because they classify smaller communities and subgroups separately.
No government agency publishes a single official list of all ethnic groups.
The National Population Commission does not release population figures by ethnicity.
Largest Ethnic Groups in Nigeria
Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups are:
- Hausa
- Yoruba
- Igbo
- Fulani
- Ijaw
- Kanuri
- Tiv
- Ibibio
- Edo
- Nupe
Hausa
The Hausa live mainly in northwestern Nigeria. Large indigenous communities are found in:
- Kano
- Katsina
- Jigawa
- Kaduna
- Kebbi
- Sokoto
- Zamfara
The Hausa language belongs to the Chadic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family.
Historical Hausa states included:
- Kano
- Katsina
- Zaria
- Daura
- Gobir
- Rano
Islam is the largest religion among the Hausa.
Common occupations include:
- Farming
- Livestock rearing
- Textile production
- Leatherwork
- Trade
Yoruba
The Yoruba live mainly in southwestern Nigeria. Indigenous Yoruba communities are found in:
- Lagos
- Ogun
- Oyo
- Osun
- Ondo
- Ekiti
- Kwara
- Kogi
Yoruba belongs to the Volta-Niger branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
Historical Yoruba kingdoms included:
- Oyo
- Ife
- Ijebu
- Egba
- Ondo
- Ekiti
- Ijesa
Christianity and Islam are the largest religions among the Yoruba.
Common occupations include:
- Farming
- Fishing
- Commerce
- Manufacturing
- Public service
Igbo
The Igbo live mainly in southeastern Nigeria. Indigenous communities are found in:
- Abia
- Anambra
- Ebonyi
- Enugu
- Imo
Additional indigenous Igbo communities live in:
- Delta
- Rivers
Igbo belongs to the Volta-Niger branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
Many pre-colonial Igbo communities governed themselves through:
- Village assemblies
- Councils of elders
- Age-grade associations
Christianity is the largest religion among the Igbo.
Common occupations include:
- Agriculture
- Commerce
- Manufacturing
- Professional services
Fulani
The Fulani live across northern Nigeria. Indigenous communities are found in:
- Adamawa
- Bauchi
- Gombe
- Kaduna
- Kano
- Katsina
- Kebbi
- Niger
- Sokoto
- Taraba
- Yobe
- Zamfara
Fulfulde belongs to the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
Many Fulani also speak Hausa, English and other local languages.
Fulani communities include:
- Pastoral groups
- Settled farming communities
Islam is the dominant religion.
Common occupations include:
- Cattle rearing
- Farming
- Trade
- Public service
Ijaw
The Ijaw live mainly in the Niger Delta. Indigenous communities are found in:
- Bayelsa
- Delta
- Rivers
- Ondo
- Akwa Ibom
The Ijaw speak several related languages, including:
- Izon
- Kalabari
- Nembe
- Okrika
- Ibani
These languages belong to the Ijoid language family.
Christianity is the dominant religion.
Common occupations include:
- Fishing
- Farming
- Trading
- Boat building
Kanuri
The Kanuri live mainly in:
- Borno
- Yobe
Additional communities live in:
- Adamawa
- Niger
- Chad
- Cameroon
Kanuri belongs to the Saharan language family.
Historical Kanuri states included:
- Kanem
- Bornu
Islam is the dominant religion.
Common occupations include:
- Farming
- Fishing
- Livestock rearing
- Trade
Tiv
The Tiv live mainly in:
- Benue
- Taraba
- Nasarawa
Tiv belongs to the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
Traditional Tiv society was organised through:
- Clans
- Lineages
- Family compounds
Christianity is the dominant religion.
Common occupations include:
- Farming
- Fishing
- Trading
Major crops include:
- Yam
- Cassava
- Maize
- Rice
- Soybeans
Ibibio
The Ibibio live mainly in:
- Akwa Ibom
Additional communities live in:
- Cross River
Ibibio belongs to the Lower Cross branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
Related ethnic groups include:
- Annang
- Efik
Christianity is the dominant religion.
Common occupations include:
- Farming
- Fishing
- Trading
- Craftsmanship
Edo
The Edo live mainly in:
- Edo State
Edo belongs to the Edoid branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
The Edo established the Kingdom of Benin.
The kingdom produced:
- Brass castings
- Bronze plaques
- Ivory carvings
- Wood carvings
Christianity is the dominant religion.
Nupe
The Nupe live mainly in:
- Niger
- Kwara
- Kogi
- Federal Capital Territory
Nupe belongs to the Nupoid branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
The Nupe established the Nupe Kingdom.
Bida served as the kingdom’s capital.
Islam is the dominant religion.
Common occupations include:
- Farming
- Fishing
- Weaving
- Pottery
- Brasswork
Ethnic Groups in Nigeria by Alphabet
A
- Abayon
- Abua
- Achipa
- Adara
- Afizere
- Afo (Alago)
- Akaju-Ndem
- Akoko
- Akpa
- Akpes
- Akunakuna
- Alago
- Amo
- Anaang (Annang)
- Andoni
- Angas
- Anyima
- Arum
- Atyap
- Awori
B
- Babur (Bura)
- Bachama (Bwatiye)
- Bade
- Bakulung
- Bali
- Bassa
- Batta
- Bekwarra
- Berom
- Bete
- Bette
- Bille
- Bokobaru
- Bokyi
- Buduma
- Bunu
- Burak
- Burum
C
- Chamba
- Cicipu
D
- Dakarkari
- Dandi
- Daza
- Degema
- Dibo
- Duguri
- Dukkawa
E
- Ebira
- Edo
- Efik
- Eggon
- Eket
- Engenni
- Esan
- Etche
- Etulo
- Ezza
F
- Fali
- Fulani
G
- Gade
- Gbagyi (Gwari)
- Gera
- Geruma
- Glavda
- Goemai
- Gokana
- Gombi
- Gure
- Gurmana
- Gwandara
H
- Ham
- Hausa
- Higgi
I
- Ibani
- Ibibio
- Ibwa
- Idoma
- Igala
- Igede
- Igbo
- Ijaw
- Ijesa
- Ijebu
- Ikale
- Ikwerre
- Ilaje
- Irigwe
- Isoko
- Itsekiri
- Izzi
J
- Jaba
- Jarawa
- Jukun
K
- Kagoro
- Kakanda
- Kalabari
- Kamuku
- Kambari
- Kanuri
- Kataf
- Karekare
- Kilba
- Koro
- Kuteb
L
- Lokaa
M
- Mada
- Mandara
- Margi
- Mbembe
- Mgbo
- Mumuye
- Mwaghavul
N
- Ngas
- Ngizim
- Ninzo
- Nupe
O
- Obolo (Andoni)
- Ogbia
- Ogoni
- Ogba
- Ohafia
- Okrika
- Okun
- Oron
- Oworo
- Owo
P
- Pyem
R
- Remo
- Ron
S
- Sayawa
- Shuwa Arab
T
- Tangale
- Tarok
- Tiv
U
- Ukwuani
- Urhobo
W
- Waja
- Warji
- Wurkun
Y
- Yakurr
- Yala
- Yungur
Z
- Zarma (Zabarma)
Ethnic Groups in Nigeria by State
Abia
- Arochukwu
- Bende
- Igbo
- Ngwa
- Ohafia
- Ohuhu
- Isuikwuato
Adamawa
- Bachama (Bwatiye)
- Bura (Babur)
- Chamba
- Fali
- Fulani
- Higgi
- Kilba
- Margi
- Waja
- Yungur
Akwa Ibom
- Annang
- Eket
- Ibibio
- Oron
Anambra
- Igbo
Bauchi
- Duguri
- Fulani
- Gera
- Geruma
- Hausa
- Jarawa
- Sayawa
- Warji
Bayelsa
- Biseni
- Epie-Atissa
- Ijaw
- Nembe
- Ogbia
Benue
- Etulo
- Idoma
- Igede
- Tiv
Borno
- Babur (Bura)
- Glavda
- Kanuri
- Mandara
- Margi
- Shuwa Arab
Cross River
- Abayon
- Akunakuna
- Bahumono
- Bekwarra
- Bette
- Bokyi
- Efik
- Ejagham
- Lokaa
- Mbembe
- Yakurr
- Yala
Delta
- Anioma Igbo
- Isoko
- Ijaw
- Itsekiri
- Ukwuani
- Urhobo
Ebonyi
- Ezza
- Igbo
- Ikwo
- Izzi
- Mgbo
Edo
- Edo
- Esan
- Etsako
- Owan
- Akoko-Edo
Ekiti
- Ekiti
- Ijesa
- Ikere
- Ikole
- Ido-Osi
- Moba
Enugu
- Igbo
- Nsukka
- Nike
- Udi
- Ezeagu
- Awgu
- Nkanu
Gombe
- Tangale
- Tula
- Waja
- Fulani
- Hausa
- Bolewa
- Kaltungo
Imo
- Igbo
- Ikwerre
- Ngwa
- Mbaise
- Orlu
- Owerri
Jigawa
- Bade
- Duwai
- Fulani
- Hausa
- Kanuri
- Ngizim
Kaduna
- Adara
- Atyap (Kataf)
- Bajju
- Bakulu
- Ham
- Hausa
- Jaba
- Kagoro
- Kaninkon
- Gbagyi (Gwari)
- Koro
- Kurama
- Moro’a
- Ninzo
- Numana
- Ruruma
- Tarok
Kano
- Hausa
- Fulani
- Kanuri
- Warji
- Bolewa
Katsina
- Hausa
- Fulani
- Daurawa
- Kanuri
- Tuareg
Kebbi
- Dakarkari
- Dandi
- Fulani
- Hausa
- Kambari
- Kamuku
- Zarma (Zabarma)
Kogi
- Ebira
- Igala
- Okun Yoruba
- Bassa
- Nupe
- Ogugu
- Kakanda
Kwara
- Bariba
- Bassa
- Fulani
- Nupe
- Okun Yoruba
- Yoruba
Lagos
- Awori
- Egun
- Ijebu
- Isoko
- Yoruba
Nasarawa
- Alago
- Eggon
- Gwandara
- Hausa
- Mada
- Migili
- Rindre
- Tiv
Niger
- Bassa
- Dibo
- Dukkawa
- Gbagyi (Gwari)
- Gwandara
- Hausa
- Kambari
- Nupe
- Zarma (Zabarma)
Ogun
- Awori
- Egba
- Egbado (Yewa)
- Ijebu
- Remo
- Yoruba
Ondo
- Akoko
- Ilaje
- Ikale
- Ondo
- Owo
- Yoruba
Osun
- Ijesa
- Ife
- Igbomina
- Ijebu
- Yoruba
Oyo
- Ibadan
- Ibarapa
- Iseyin
- Oyo Yoruba
- Oke-Ogun
- Yoruba
Plateau
- Afizere
- Anaguta
- Berom
- Goemai
- Irigwe
- Jarawa
- Jukun
- Kanuri
- Mupun
- Mwaghavul
- Ngas
- Pyem
- Ron
- Tarok
Rivers
- Abua
- Andoni
- Ekpeye
- Engenni
- Ibani
- Ijaw
- Ikwerre
- Kalabari
- Ogoni
- Okrika
- Opobo
- Odual
Sokoto
- Fulani
- Hausa
- Gobirawa
- Tuareg
- Zarma (Zabarma)
Taraba
- Chamba
- Fulani
- Jukun
- Kuteb
- Mambilla
- Mumuye
- Tiv
- Wurkun
Yobe
- Bade
- Bolewa
- Fulani
- Hausa
- Kanuri
- Ngizim
- Ngamo
Zamfara
- Anka
- Fulani
- Hausa
- Kambari
- Maradun
- Zarma (Zabarma)
Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
- Abaji
- Bassa
- Gbagyi (Gwari)
- Gade
- Gwandara
- Hausa
- Koro
- Nupe
- Ganagana
Ethnic Groups in Nigeria by Geopolitical Zone
North West
Kaduna
- Adara
- Atyap (Kataf)
- Bajju
- Gbagyi (Gwari)
- Ham
- Hausa
- Jaba
- Kagoro
- Kaninkon
- Koro
- Kurama
- Moro’a
- Ninzo
Kano
- Hausa
- Fulani
- Kanuri
- Warji
Katsina
- Hausa
- Fulani
- Daurawa
- Kanuri
Kebbi
- Dakarkari
- Dandi
- Fulani
- Hausa
- Kambari
- Kamuku
- Zarma (Zabarma)
Sokoto
- Fulani
- Hausa
- Gobirawa
- Tuareg
- Zarma (Zabarma)
Zamfara
- Anka
- Fulani
- Hausa
- Kambari
- Zarma (Zabarma)
North East
Adamawa
- Bachama (Bwatiye)
- Bura (Babur)
- Chamba
- Fali
- Fulani
- Higgi
- Kilba
- Margi
- Waja
- Yungur
Bauchi
- Duguri
- Fulani
- Gera
- Geruma
- Hausa
- Jarawa
- Sayawa
- Warji
Borno
- Babur (Bura)
- Glavda
- Kanuri
- Mandara
- Margi
- Shuwa Arab
Gombe
- Tangale
- Tula
- Waja
- Fulani
- Hausa
- Bolewa
Taraba
- Chamba
- Jukun
- Kuteb
- Mambilla
- Mumuye
- Tiv
- Wurkun
Yobe
- Bade
- Bolewa
- Fulani
- Hausa
- Kanuri
- Ngizim
- Ngamo
North Central
Benue
- Idoma
- Igede
- Tiv
- Etulo
Kogi
- Ebira
- Igala
- Okun Yoruba
- Bassa
- Nupe
- Kakanda
Kwara
- Bariba
- Bassa
- Fulani
- Nupe
- Okun Yoruba
- Yoruba
Nasarawa
- Alago
- Eggon
- Gwandara
- Mada
- Migili
- Rindre
- Tiv
Niger
- Bassa
- Dibo
- Dukkawa
- Gbagyi (Gwari)
- Gwandara
- Hausa
- Kambari
- Nupe
- Zarma (Zabarma)
Plateau
- Afizere
- Anaguta
- Berom
- Goemai
- Irigwe
- Jukun
- Mupun
- Mwaghavul
- Ngas
- Pyem
- Ron
- Tarok
Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
- Abaji
- Bassa
- Gade
- Gbagyi (Gwari)
- Gwandara
- Hausa
- Koro
- Nupe
- Ganagana
South West
Ekiti
- Ekiti Yoruba
- Ijesa
- Moba
Lagos
- Awori
- Egun
- Ijebu
- Isoko
- Yoruba
Ogun
- Awori
- Egba
- Egbado (Yewa)
- Ijebu
- Remo
Ondo
- Akoko
- Ilaje
- Ikale
- Ondo
- Owo
Osun
- Ijesa
- Ife
- Igbomina
- Ijebu
- Yoruba
Oyo
- Ibadan
- Ibarapa
- Oke-Ogun
- Oyo Yoruba
South East
Abia
- Igbo
- Ngwa
- Ohafia
- Arochukwu
- Bende
- Ohuhu
- Isuikwuato
Anambra
- Igbo
Ebonyi
- Igbo
- Ezza
- Ikwo
- Izzi
- Mgbo
Enugu
- Igbo
- Nsukka
- Nike
- Udi
- Ezeagu
- Nkanu
Imo
- Igbo
- Ikwerre
- Ngwa
- Mbaise
- Orlu
- Owerri
South South
Akwa Ibom
- Ibibio
- Annang
- Eket
- Oron
Bayelsa
- Ijaw
- Nembe
- Ogbia
- Biseni
- Epie-Atissa
Cross River
- Efik
- Ejagham
- Bekwarra
- Bette
- Bokyi
- Yakurr
- Yala
- Mbembe
- Lokaa
Delta
- Urhobo
- Isoko
- Ijaw
- Itsekiri
- Ukwuani
- Anioma Igbo
Edo
- Edo (Bini)
- Esan
- Etsako
- Owan
- Akoko-Edo
Rivers
- Ijaw
- Ikwerre
- Kalabari
- Ogoni
- Okrika
- Ibani
- Andoni
- Abua
- Ekpeye
- Engenni
Ethnic Groups in Nigeria FAQs
How many ethnic groups are in Nigeria?
Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups. Some sources give higher figures because they include smaller communities and subgroups.
What are the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria?
The largest ethnic groups are Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo.
Which ethnic group is the largest in Nigeria?
Hausa-Fulani is one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria. Yoruba and Igbo are also among the biggest groups in the country.
What are the main ethnic groups in Nigeria?
The main groups include Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Kanuri, Tiv, Ibibio, Edo, Nupe, Igala, Idoma, and Fulani.
How many tribes are found in Nigeria?
Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups, along with many smaller communities.
Which Nigerian state has the most ethnic groups?
States such as Taraba, Plateau, Kaduna, Cross River, and Adamawa have many ethnic communities.
Where do the Hausa people live in Nigeria?
The Hausa are mainly found in northern states such as Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe.
Where do the Yoruba people live?
The Yoruba are mainly found in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states.
Where do the Igbo people live?
The Igbo are mainly found in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.
How many languages are spoken in Nigeria?
Nigeria has more than 500 languages. Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulfulde, Kanuri, Tiv, Edo, and Ijaw languages are among the widely spoken ones.
What is the difference between a tribe and an ethnic group?
An ethnic group is a community with shared culture, history, identity, and often language. The term “tribe” is commonly used in everyday conversation.
Are Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo the only ethnic groups in Nigeria?
No. They are the largest groups, but Nigeria has hundreds of other ethnic communities.
Which ethnic group is the oldest in Nigeria?
There is no single ethnic group recognised as the oldest. Many Nigerian communities have long histories.
What are minority ethnic groups in Nigeria?
Minority groups include communities such as Ogoni, Berom, Ebira, Nupe, Idoma, Tarok, Efik, and Gbagyi.
Why are there many ethnic groups in Nigeria?
Different communities developed through migration, settlement, trade, and the growth of kingdoms and societies over many years.
Which ethnic groups are found in Lagos?
The indigenous groups of Lagos include Awori and Ijebu communities. People from many other Nigerian ethnic groups also live there.
Which ethnic groups are found in Abuja?
The indigenous communities of Abuja include Gbagyi (Gwari), Gade, Koro, Bassa, and Gwandara.
What is the most spoken language in Nigeria?
Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo are among the most spoken indigenous languages. Nigerian Pidgin is also widely used.
