The National Bureau of Statistics has released
data listing the 10 poorest states in Nigeria after
a recent survey was carried out on the bureau's
website.
1. Sokoto
It is listed as the poorest state in Nigeria with a
poverty rate of 81.2%. The state is known for its
hostile climatic conditions with normal day
temperature as high as 45 Degrees Celsius. Most
parts of the state are rural areas and over eighty
percent (80%) of the inhabitants of Sokoto
practice one form of agriculture or another.
2. Katsina
This state in North central Nigeria has the
highest poverty prevalence among all states in
the region.
3. Adamawa
Created in 1991 from the extinct Gongola state,
Adamawa has of late been terrorized by the Boko
Haram terrorists, disrupting its economic
development and growth.
4. Gombe
Another North eastern state which suffers
sporadic attacks from terrorists.
5. Jigawa
It is situated in the north-western part of the
country. It is mostly populated by the Hausa/
Fulani, who are spread throughout the state. It
has a 74.1 percent poverty rate.
6. Plateau
It is the twelfth largest state of Nigeria, and is
haunted by terrorist attacks and tribal clashes
from time to time, especially clashes between
Fulani herdsmen and its inhabitants.
7. Ebonyi
It is the only south-eastern state among the top
10 poorest states.
8. Bauchi
In Hausa the word Bauchi means, the land of
freedom and tourism. However, recent Boko
Haram adventures in the area, though few, have
driven tourists away from the area.
9. Kebbi
It is bordered by Sokoto State, Niger State, Dosso
Region in the Republic of Niger and the nation of
Benin. The recently concluded Sir Ahmadu Bello
International Airport (SABIA), stands out as one
of Nigeria's most sophisticated airports and is
expected to boost the state's economy.
10. Zamfara
The governor of Zamfara was blasted for the
"alarming scope of economic dangers and its
potential threat to the economic development of
the state," by the Zamfara Budget Working
Group.
Niger is the state with the lowest poverty rate
which is 33.8%. It is followed by Osun (37.9%)
and Ondo (45.7%). Bayelsa (47%) and Lagos
(48.6%) have less than 50% poverty rate.
The average poverty rate in the Northwest
geopolitical zone is 71.4%, which remained the
highest in the said area. It is followed by the
Northeast region which has 69.1% and the North
central region which has 60.7%.
Poverty is least dominant in the Southwest
(49.8%), South-South (55.5%), and South-East
regions (59.5%)