A Comprehensive List of Ethnic Groups / Tribes of Nigeria by Population and Region
The Tribes of Nigeria represent one of Africa's most diverse ethnic landscapes, with 371 distinct ethnic groups calling this West African nation home. Understanding the distribution and demographics of Nigeria's ethnic communities provides crucial insights into the country's complex social fabric and regional dynamics.
Nigeria's Ethnic Diversity Overview
Nigeria stands out as one of the world's most linguistically diverse nations, with over 500 languages spoken among its 223 million people. The Tribes of Nigeria are distributed across six geopolitical zones, each with distinct cultural, linguistic, and historical characteristics that have shaped the nation's identity for centuries.
Population Distribution by Major Groups
| Rank | Ethnic Group | Population (Millions) | Percentage | Primary Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hausa | 67.0 | 30.0% | North-West |
| 2 | Yoruba | 34.7 | 15.5% | South-West |
| 3 | Igbo | 34.0 | 15.2% | South-East |
| 4 | Fulani | 13.4 | 6.0% | North-West/North-Central |
| 5 | Tiv | 5.4 | 2.4% | North-Central |
| 6 | Kanuri | 5.4 | 2.4% | North-East |
"Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups, with the three largest - Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo - constituting more than 60% of the population."
The Big Three: Dominant Ethnic Groups
Hausa People - The Largest Group
The Hausa are the biggest ethnic group in Nigeria, with estimates of their population reaching 67 million, making up approximately 25% of the Nigerian population. The Tribes of Nigeria analysis reveals that the Hausa culture is remarkably homogenized throughout northern Nigeria.
Hausa Distribution:
- Primary States: Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara
- Language: Hausa (Chadic language family)
- Religion: Predominantly Islam
- Economic Activities: Agriculture, trade, crafts
Yoruba People - The Western Powerhouse
The Yoruba represent the second-largest group among the Tribes of Nigeria, concentrated primarily in the southwestern region. The South-West Zone is home to 47 million people, accounting for nearly 22% of the country's population.
Yoruba Subgroups and Distribution:
| Subgroup | Primary Location | Population | Notable Cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lagos Yoruba | Lagos State | 8.5 million | Lagos, Ikeja |
| Oyo Yoruba | Oyo State | 7.2 million | Ibadan, Ogbomoso |
| Osun Yoruba | Osun State | 4.1 million | Osogbo, Ife |
| Ogun Yoruba | Ogun State | 5.2 million | Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode |
| Ondo Yoruba | Ondo State | 4.7 million | Akure, Ondo |
| Ekiti Yoruba | Ekiti State | 3.3 million | Ado-Ekiti |
Igbo People - The Eastern Heritage
Nigeria's south is divided into a Yoruba-speaking area in the west and an Igbo-speaking area in the east. The Igbo people form the third-largest group in the Tribes of Nigeria, known for their entrepreneurial spirit and republican political traditions.
Regional Distribution by Geopolitical Zones
"Since Hausa and Fulani prefer being paired and called Hausa, it is appropriate to have six major ethnic groups representing each of the six geo-political zones."
North-West Zone
Consisting of Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, this region is dominated by Hausa-Fulani groups.
| Ethnic Group | Population | Primary States | Cultural Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hausa | 45 million | All states | Islamic culture, trade |
| Fulani | 8 million | Sokoto, Kebbi | Pastoralism, Emirates |
| Gwari | 1.2 million | Kaduna | Agriculture |
| Nupe | 0.8 million | Niger (partial) | River valley culture |
North-East Zone
Consisting of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States, this region showcases significant diversity among the Tribes of Nigeria.
Major Groups:
- Kanuri: 5.4 million (Borno, Yobe)
- Babur: 0.8 million (Adamawa, Taraba)
- Marghi: 0.5 million (Adamawa, Borno)
- Mumuye: 0.4 million (Taraba)
- Chamba: 0.3 million (Adamawa, Taraba)
North-Central Zone
Consisting of Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, this zone represents the most ethnically diverse region among the Tribes of Nigeria.
| State | Major Ethnic Groups | Population | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benue | Tiv, Idoma, Igede | 5.7 million | Tiv, Idoma |
| Plateau | Berom, Angas, Ron | 4.2 million | Berom, Hausa |
| Kogi | Igala, Ebira, Okun | 4.4 million | Igala, Yoruba |
| Niger | Nupe, Gwari, Kamuku | 5.6 million | Nupe, Hausa |
| Nasarawa | Eggon, Alago, Gwandara | 2.5 million | Hausa, Eggon |
| Kwara | Yoruba, Nupe, Bariba | 3.2 million | Yoruba, Nupe |
Southern Nigeria: Coastal and Forest Peoples
South-West Zone - Yoruba Heartland
The Tribes of Nigeria in this region are predominantly Yoruba, with some minority groups.
Ethnic Composition:
- Yoruba: 95% (44.6 million)
- Others: 5% (2.4 million)
- Fulani (settled)
- Hausa (traders)
- Other Nigerian migrants
South-East Zone - Igbo Territory
It comprises five states – Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. This zone has the highest ethnic homogeneity among the Tribes of Nigeria regional distributions.
| State | Major Subgroups | Population | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anambra | Onitsha, Awka Igbo | 5.5 million | Commercial hub |
| Imo | Owerri, Orlu Igbo | 5.4 million | Cultural center |
| Abia | Ngwa, Umuahia Igbo | 3.7 million | Industrial base |
| Enugu | Nsukka, Enugu Igbo | 4.4 million | Coal mining heritage |
| Ebonyi | Afikpo, Abakaliki Igbo | 2.9 million | Agricultural focus |
South-South Zone - Niger Delta Peoples
This region contains the most linguistically diverse Tribes of Nigeria, with over 40 distinct ethnic groups.
Major Ethnic Groups:
| Group | Population | Primary States | Economic Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ijaw | 4.0 million | Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers | Oil, fishing |
| Urhobo | 2.1 million | Delta | Oil, agriculture |
| Itsekiri | 0.8 million | Delta | Trade, oil |
| Efik | 1.2 million | Cross River | Trade, education |
| Ibibio | 4.0 million | Akwa Ibom | Agriculture, oil |
| Annang | 2.0 million | Akwa Ibom | Agriculture |
| Ogoni | 0.8 million | Rivers | Oil, activism |
| Edo | 1.7 million | Edo | Arts, agriculture |
Middle Belt Diversity
"The Middle Belt has many smaller, differing but related groups, representing some of the most ancient settlements among the Tribes of Nigeria."
Plateau State Ethnic Mosaic
Plateau State exemplifies the diversity of Tribes of Nigeria with over 40 indigenous groups:
Major Groups:
- Berom: 1.2 million
- Angas: 0.4 million
- Ron: 0.3 million
- Taroh: 0.2 million
- Goemai: 0.2 million
- Mwaghavul: 0.1 million
Benue Valley Peoples
The Benue River valley hosts several significant groups among the Tribes of Nigeria:
| Group | Population | Language Family | Primary Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiv | 5.4 million | Bantoid | Agriculture |
| Idoma | 1.2 million | Kwa | Farming, trade |
| Igede | 0.3 million | Kwa | Agriculture |
| Etulo | 0.1 million | Kwa | Farming |
Minority Groups and Linguistic Diversity
Endangered Languages and Small Communities
Among the Tribes of Nigeria, several smaller groups face challenges in preserving their cultural heritage:
At-Risk Communities:
- Rukuba (Plateau): 50,000 speakers
- Koro (Kaduna): 45,000 speakers
- Dulbu (Plateau): 35,000 speakers
- Kurama (Kaduna): 30,000 speakers
- Kamwe (Adamawa): 25,000 speakers
Religious Distribution Patterns
The Tribes of Nigeria show distinct religious patterns correlating with regional and ethnic boundaries:
| Region | Dominant Religion | Ethnic Correlation | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Islam | Hausa-Fulani, Kanuri | 95% |
| Middle Belt | Christianity/Traditional | Tiv, Plateau groups | 70% |
| South | Christianity | Yoruba, Igbo, minorities | 85% |
Contemporary Challenges and Unity
Inter-ethnic Relations
The diversity of Tribes of Nigeria presents both opportunities and challenges for national unity:
Positive Interactions:
- Inter-marriage between ethnic groups
- Economic cooperation and trade
- Shared educational institutions
- Cultural festivals and exchanges
Areas of Tension:
- Resource allocation disputes
- Political representation issues
- Land use conflicts
- Religious differences
Urbanization Impact
Modern Nigerian cities showcase the blending of various Tribes of Nigeria:
| City | Primary Groups | Population | Ethnic Mix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lagos | Yoruba, Igbo, others | 21 million | Cosmopolitan |
| Kano | Hausa, Fulani | 4.1 million | Northern dominant |
| Ibadan | Yoruba | 3.6 million | Homogeneous |
| Port Harcourt | Ijaw, Igbo, others | 2.3 million | Multi-ethnic |
| Abuja | All groups | 3.8 million | Federal mix |
The rich tapestry of Nigeria's ethnic diversity demonstrates how the Tribes of Nigeria continue to maintain their distinct identities while contributing to a unified national narrative. This demographic complexity requires continued efforts toward inclusive governance, equitable development, and mutual understanding among all communities that call Nigeria home.