The English dictionary defined landmass as a large continuous area of land sector surrounded by sea or connected to other land areas. Nigeria is a country that has lots of landmass.
Theses landmasses are divided into different regions scattered around the country which are known as States it is believed that the northern part of Nigeria has a lot of landmass which contributes to the total landmass in Nigeria.
Many individuals wishes to know the top 10 largest states in Nigeria which brings us to the conclusion of compiling a list of top 10 largest states in Nigeria for easy comprehension.
The article features a lot of relevant information alongside notable details so it is advised to keenly peruse through the article as you educate yourself.
The Top 10 Largest States in Nigeria By Landmass
Below is the list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria by landmass and their measurement result.
STATE KM²
Niger State 76,363
Borno State 70,898
Taraba State 54,745
Kaduna State 45,893
Bauchi State 45,502
Yobe State 40,053
Zamfara State 39,762
Adamawa State 36,917
Kwara State 36,825
Kebbi State 36,800
The list above shows the accurate list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria by ranking.
Niger State
Niger State comes first on our list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria by their landmass. The Niger State is a state located in the northern part of Nigeria and has been considered the largest state in the map of Nigeria.
The state was founded in 1976 when it was divided between Niger State and the present Sokoto state. The Niger State was said to be named after the river Niger as it is situated close to the river Niger which houses the 2 major Electricity Dam in the country.
The state has over 25 local government and chairmen which are assigned to rule under several districts and villages. The Niger State is mainly populated by the Nupe tribe in the south, The Busa tribe in the West, the Gwari tribe located in the east alongside other notable tribes.
The Niger state is said to house a large landmass as its landscape is dominated mostly by wooded savanna alongside rivers. The state is considered the biggest states in Nigeria with several mineral resources.
The state is known to posses a large expanse of land measured as 76,363 kilometers square. The Niger state has been measured to be the largest state by kilometer per square in Nigeria, making it top our list of the top 10 states with the largest landmass in the country.
Notable Facts
Area :29,484 Square meters.
Square kilometers measurement result :76,363.
Borno State
Borno State comes 2nd on our list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria by landmass. Borno State is a region in Nigeria that is situated in the northern part of Nigeria and is considered the 2nd largest state in Nigeria.
Founded in February 1976, Borno State is considered the second largest area in the 36 States in Nigeria. The state is divided between the desert savanna and the West Sudan savanna. The state is being dominated by 80% Muslims and 18% Christians and 2% ratio of other religions.
The Borno State was previously dominated by an empire years back which was known as the Kanen empire. Furthermore, the British government settlement in Nigeria quickened the creation of Borno State as it was recorded that they settled in Borno State upon arrival in Nigeria.
Borno State Nigeria is considered one of the biggest state as a portion of the Lake Chad surrounds the state partially. The vegetation in the state is known to be of the Sudan savanna type.
The state houses a lot of forests which includes the popular Sambisa forest in Nigeria. Borno State is said to be large by 70,898 kilometer per square.
Notable Facts
KM²: 76,363.
Taraba State
Taraba State comes 3rd on our list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria by landmass. The Taraba State is a northern state which is situated in the northern part of Nigeria.
Taraba State was formed in August 1991 and was named after the popular Taraba river which intersects the southern region of the state. The Taraba State is considered a beautiful state as it houses notable tourist attractions which includes the popular mambila plateau, a beautiful landscape covered in green grass.
Taraba State was created from the now extinct state known as the gongola state. The state is dominated by several tribes such as the Fulani, Jukun and Tiv alongside our notable tribes in the northern Nigeria.
Taraba State is known to be bounded by several northern from the North, East and South. The Taraba State is known to house 2 popular rivers which acts as borders to the state. Taraba is considered one of the 3rd largest states in Nigeria by landmass as it houses several wooded savanna regions which intersects with the same river.
Furthermore, mountains that is measured in thousand of feet are situated in Taraba State as well as rivers. These mountain, forests and deserts makes up the large landmass in Taraba State state. Notwithstanding the fact that the state is affected by such under-development, the state engages in several economic activities.
Notable Facts
KM²: 54,473
Kaduna State
Kaduna State comes 4th on our list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria by landmass. Kaduna State is a northern state which is situated in the northern part of Nigeria.
Founded in 1967,Kaduna is ranked as the 18th largest city in the country according to the 2006 census as it equally encompasses the modern Kastina state. The name Kaduna is coined out of the word ‘’Kada ‘’ which means crocodile as it was recorded that the name of the state was chosen by the then colonial master.
Kaduna State is considered large by landmass as it is located in the part of the highest Nigerian plain. The vegetation of Kaduna State in Nigeria is characterized by the Sudan Savanna which features trees and shrubs. The state is equally surrounded by hills and the notable Kaduna river which also acts as a border to the state.
Notable Facts
KM²: 46,053.
Bauchi State
Bauchi State comes 5th on our list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria by landmass. Bauchi State is a state in Nigeria situated at the northern part of Nigeria in the north eastern Geopolitical zone of the country.
The state is bordered by other notable northern states such as Kano State and Jigawa state alongside Jos. Founded in 1976, Bauchi State is highly dominated by the Hausa such as the Fulani, Tangale, Jarawa and Gerawa.
The religious activities in Bauchi State comprises of 85% Islam while 15% amounts to other religious beliefs. Bauchi State is considered to be the 5th largest state in Nigeria by landmass as it occupies a land area of over 49,119 kilometer per square. The state is surrounded by 2 vegetation zones known as the Sudan savanna and the Sahel savanna.
The vegetation in Bauchi State also features several sources or water and rivers alongside grasses. Bauchi State also house several mountains and their soil is known to be sandy. Indeed, Bauchi is known as one of biggest and 5 largest state in Nigeria.
Notable Facts
KM² :49,119Km
Yobe State
Yobe State comes 6th on our list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria by landmass. Yobe is a state located in the northern part of Nigeria.
The Yobe State was created in August 1991 from the present day Borno State and the state is known to be among the food Basket of the nation as they engage in several agricultural activities.
The history of Yobe State can be traced back to 1991 when the administrators made a decision to create a different state out of Borno State. This decision was considered due to the fact that Borno State is quite large and was heavily populated and was considered as ‘’too difficult to rule ‘’which led to its division and the creation of the present day Yobe State with damaturu as its capital.
The state is known to engage in agricultural activities which contributes a lot to their economy along beign in posses of certain natural resources. Yobe state is considered the 6th largest state in Nigeria as it landmass consists of Plains and terrains that are drained by the Yobe river.
The Sudan savanna vegetation is known to make up the state vegetation which also features thorns scrub and acacia trees which are scattered everywhere across the state.
Notable Facts
KM² : 45,502
Zamfara State
Zamfara state comes 7th on our list of the top 10 largest states by landmass in Nigeria. Zamfara is known to be one of the northern states in Nigeria which is situated in the northern region of Nigeria.
Founded in 1991,the people of Zamfara state was known to have agitated for freedom and a separate state until 1996 when the then military administration honored their request by carving out the present Zamfara State from Sokoto state in 1996.
The Zamfara people has been known to be a great kingdom which was ruled by several kings hundred of years far back. The state has always sought freedom from other rulers till it was officially made a state jn1996.
The economy of Zamfara State is known to be a booming one as they engage in agricultural activities as well as camel rearing. Zamfara state is considered the 7th largest state in Nigeria by its landmass as it occupies over 39,762 KM² land area which features trees, rivers and deserts.
Notable Facts
KM² : 39,762.
Adamawa State
Adamawa State comes 8th on our list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria by landmass. Adamawa state is a northern state which is situated in the northern part of Nigeria and is considered one of the biggest states in the 36 States.
Formed in August 1991,”the Adamawa State is known to have been dominated by various ethnic groups which includes the Bwatiye, The Bali and Gudu Ethnic groups.
It was recorded that before the modern day Adamawa state existed, the Fulani had captured some people from it and dominated the region for years until the German masters defeated the Fulani rulers and took over the kingdom.
After the defeat, the world War promoted the allied forces to take over the state which was later freed when Nigeria gained Independence in 1960.
Today, Adamawa State is considered one of the largest states in Nigeria by it voluminous landmass as it features large mountains and river Valley. Several states valley form the landmass of the present Adamawa State which is measured to be 36,917 KM ²
Notable Facts
KM ²: 36,917
Kwara State
Kwara state comes 9th on our list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria by landmass. Kwara State seems to be the only western state that made it to our list of the largest states in Nigeria.
Kwara State is a popular Yoruba state which is situated in the Western part of the country and is bordered by 2 Northern and 2 Western States.
Formed in May 1967, Kwara State is known to have been dominated and inhabited for several years by multiple ethnic groups of which the Yorubas are known to dominate.
The present day Kwara State was carved out of the old Oyo Kingdom. The state is known to be the 9th largest state in Nigeria as it occupies over 36,825 KM² landmass.
Notable Facts
KM² : 36,825 KM²
Kebbi State
Kebbi State comes 10th on our list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria by landmass. Kebbi State is a state which is situated in the northern part of Nigeria.
Formed in August 1991, the present day Kebbi state is said to be dominated and inhabited by several ethnic groups which includes the Fulani and Zama people.
The history of Kebbi State can be traced back hundred of years when the Fulani launched several attacks on the people of Kebbi with the intent of hijacking their Kingdom, however, the people of Kebbi repelled the attacks for long until the colonial masters came and took over.
Today, Kebbi State is considered the 10th largest state which occupies a land area of over 36,800 KM². Their landmass features short grass savanna which is drained by the Niger river.
Notable Facts
KM² : 36,800.
FAQ:Top 10 Largest States in Nigeria By Landmass
Is Lagos State Large?
Yes! To an extent, Lagos state is quite large. Remember, I used the word extent, to be specific. Lagos State is considered large by its inhabitants.
A state that houses several commercial buildings, marketplaces, schools, religious houses and multiple Estates is regarded as large.
However, Lagos state Landmass can’t be compared to that of the northern states listed above in this article. Though Lagos is known to be congested, Lagos state is still considered large by several persons.
Why is Lagos State not among the list of states with the largest Landmass?
Great question! The overhyped Lagos state doesn’t seem to appear on the list of the 10 largest states in Nigeria by landmass.
Unusual huh? Yes, Lagos state can’t be compared to norther states in terms or forests, rivers and deserts which could easily be found in the states listed above.
Every part of Lagos state is occupied either by a line of business enterprises or household inhabitants. Since Lagos isn’t close to having the features of the states listed above, it can’t make the list of states with the largest landmasses.
Is Abuja Amongst The List of top 10 largest states?
No! Abuja isn’t. Abuja cannot be among the list of the top 10 states as Abuja is known to be one of the smallest states located in the map of Nigeria.
Being one of the smallest states in Nigeria, it has less landmass, few rivers and forests which is why Abuja couldn’t make it to the list of the top 10 largest states in Nigeria.
Why does the northern Nigeria houses one of the largest landmasses in Nigeria?
Most people wonder why the northern Nigeria houses one of the largest landmasses in Nigeria. The northern Nigeria is dominated by forests alongside rivers which contributes to the excessive expanse of landmass over there.
Furthermore, inhabitants of the northern part of Nigeria tend to reside in specific areas far from these landmasses, forests and rivers which acts as borders to several states.
The northern states are known to have several landmasses which makes it appear as the posses larger landmasses than other states in Nigeria.
Final Words
Landmasses are undoubtedly, what makes a state appear large on the map. The Northern Nigeria is known to house several factors that contributes to it large landmass, making the region stand out as one of the largest regions in Nigeria.
The article is enriched with enough information capable of feeding you the required knowledge every interested reader seeks as you go through the article carefully for easy assimilation and comprehension.
