Largest Cities in Nigeria

Top 100 cities ranked by largest cities

Best Nigeria Cities

Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics, 4 topics from climate and air quality data.

Best Climate Cities
Warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine and clean air.
Cleanest Air Cities
Lowest pollution levels for healthy outdoor living.
Sunniest Cities
Most days of sunshine per year, with warm and dry climate.
Most Urban Cities
Densely populated city centers with the largest urban footprints.
Population & Density
Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense
Climate & Air
Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities
Geography & Infrastructure
Highest Elevation Most Restaurants
All Countries  ·  Nigeria

Largest Cities - Nigeria

1 Lagos 05 15,070,000
2 Kano 29 4,348,000
3 Port Harcourt 50 3,325,000
4 Ibadan 32 2,559,853
5 Benin City 37 1,780,000
6 Abuja 11 1,693,400
7 Onitsha 25 1,483,000
8 Osisioma 45 1,160,000
9 Aba 45 1,160,000
10 Ogbomoso 32 1,032,000
11 Enugu 47 1,029,400
12 Owerri 28 908,109
13 Agege 05 861,300
14 Alimosho 05 861,300
15 Jos 49 821,618
16 Maiduguri 27 791,200
17 Ilorin 30 777,667
18 Zaria 23 766,007
19 Kaduna 23 760,084
20 Abeokuta 16 735,000
21 Bauchi 46 693,700
22 Lokoja 41 692,050
23 Jalingo 43 660,213
24 Mushin 05 633,543
25 Ajegunle 05 550,000
26 Ebute Ikorodu 05 535,619
27 Makurdi 26 517,342
28 Ile-Ife 42 501,952
29 Akure 48 484,798
30 Ikare 48 465,000
31 Dutse 39 431,800
32 Awka 25 430,200
33 Uyo 21 429,900
34 Sokoto 51 427,760
35 Lekki 05 401,272
36 Bida 31 400,000
37 Yola 35 392,854
38 Oyo 32 386,723
39 Gusau 57 383,162
40 Ondo 48 375,000
41 Calabar 22 371,022
42 Umuahia 45 370,000
43 Iseyin 32 365,300
44 Gboko 26 365,000
45 Yenagoa 52 365,000
46 Ijebu Ode 16 360,000
47 Ankpa 41 359,300
48 Obalende 05 342,000
49 Lafia 56 330,712
50 Okene 41 320,260
51 Zonkwa 23 318,991
52 Batagarawa 24 318,459
53 Katsina 24 318,459
54 Birnin Kudu 39 314,108
55 Ado-Ekiti 54 313,690
56 Ikeja 05 313,196
57 Warri 36 311,970
58 Akowonjo 05 308,900
59 Minna 31 304,113
60 Kaura Namoda 57 285,363
61 Efon-Alaaye 54 279,319
62 Bama 27 270,119
63 Ekeremor 52 269,588
64 Tsafe 57 266,929
65 Iwo 42 250,443
66 Degema 50 249,773
67 Degema Hulk 50 249,773
68 Adikpo 26 248,642
69 Jimeta 35 248,148
70 Oghara 36 242,652
71 Sapele 36 242,652
72 Wukari 43 241,546
73 Badagry 05 241,093
74 Oleh 36 235,147
75 Ukpor 25 233,362
76 Damboa 27 233,200
77 Atani 25 230,000
78 Bwari 11 229,274
79 Aliayabiagba 05 228,000
80 Sandamu 24 224,884
81 Daura 24 224,884
82 Okrika 50 222,285
83 Owo 48 222,262
84 Ikire 42 222,160
85 Kauru 23 221,276
86 Apapa 05 217,362
87 Aiyetoro 05 217,362
88 Bonny 50 214,983
89 Shagamu 16 214,558
90 Ilesa 42 210,141
91 Wase 49 209,400
92 Dukku 55 207,658
93 Fufore 35 207,287
94 Buruku 26 206,215
95 Kukawa 27 203,343
96 Baure 24 202,941
97 Osogbo 42 201,900
98 Mai’Adua 24 201,178
99 Ugep 22 200,276
100 Argungu 40 200,248

The largest cities in Nigeria represent major centers of economic activity, cultural influence, and population growth. Lagos leads with a population of 15,070,000, followed by Kano and Port Harcourt. These cities serve as hubs for employment, education, and innovation, attracting residents from across the country and around the world.

Population size is a key indicator of a city's economic influence and infrastructure capacity. Larger cities typically offer more diverse job markets, extensive public transit systems, and a wider range of cultural amenities. 32 dominates the top 10 with 2 cities on the list, reflecting the state's strong economic pull and quality of life.

While large populations bring economic advantages, they also present challenges including higher costs of living, traffic congestion, and housing affordability concerns. Many of these cities have experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by job opportunities in technology, healthcare, and professional services.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Lagos's population is larger than that of more than 30 U.S. states.
  • 2. 32 has 2 cities in the top 10, more than any other state.
  • 3. The 50th largest city still has a population of 320,260 - larger than most cities worldwide.
  • 4. The top 5 cities combined have a population of 27,082,853.

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