Nigeria is not just the giant of Africa by name. It earned the name as a result of its commercial cities that have proved themselves capable of steering the nation’s economy. The most populous black country has grown to be a force to be reckoned with in terms of economic growth in Africa. This recognition couldn’t have been made without the help of some of its cities.
With over 250 ethnic groups and Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo being the major ones, Nigeria boasts of having several cities. Most of these cities grew from being little towns and boasts of several amenities, facilities and feats that has brought the nation into the limelight in different aspects. If you are looking for some major cities in Nigeria, this article got you covered as we have collected a list of ten major cities in Nigeria. You might be interested in looking at the most expensive cities to live in in Nigeria.
10 Major Cities in Nigeria
In no particular order here are some major cities in Nigeria.
1. Lagos
Since the end of slave trade in Nigeria, Lagos has has grown from being a small island city to a large metropolitan area. It is also referred to as a mega city due to its large population. The city is a the commercial capital of Nigeria and has one of the Largest GDP in Africa. Due to its huge commercial features, the city holds the largest population of residents in the country even with its small size. It is also divided into two by the lagoon; Island and mainland. Lagos used to be the capital city of Nigeria before it was moved to Abuja central city. Lagos is known as the town that never sleeps due to its forever hustle and bustle. The city also boasts of several facilities, like; the international airport, skyscrapers, restaurants, seaport, bars, among many others.
2. Abuja
Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. It is the seat of power and houses the presidential villa. It replaced Lagos as the capital city on December 12th, 1991. It is a beautifully planned cosmopolitan city built mainly in the 1980s based on a master plan by International Planning Associates (IPA), which is a consortium of three American planning and architecture firms.
The cosmopolitan area is also regarded as one of the fastest growing and purpose-built cities in Africa. The capital city boasts of several administrative facilities like the international airport, Abuja, supreme court, National assembly, National presidential complex including the Aso Rock. It is also a conference centre and various meetings are held in the city annually. Abuja also boasts of having several parks, like the Millennium park and the City park.
3. Benin City
Benin is the capital city of Edo state, a state in southern Nigeria. The city is located approximately 40 kilometers north of the Benin river. The city is the centre of the Nigerian rubber industry and also a significant producer of oil. The city is also an historic centre and home to the then Edo kingdom before it was captured by the Portuguese. The city has a rich cultural heritage and are known for their bronze sculptures and beads. Among the attractions that made the city popular are the National museum, Oba’s Palace and Igun street, a town famous for its bronze casting and various festivals.
4. Port Harcourt
Port-Harcourt is a coastal city located along the shores of the Bonny river and the Niger Delta. It is the capital city of Rivers state and known to be an urban area. Port-Harcourt is also an oil rich city and boasts of having the first shipment of crude oil in Nigeria exported through it. It could be said that the benefits of the petroleum industry in Nigeria made Port Harcourt developed. There are several oil companies based in the city as a result of its richness in crude oil. The city also boasts of some tourist centres, like; Bonny Island, Ifako beach, Monument of Jaja, among others.
5. Kano
Kano is the capital city of Kano state, an emirate state in northern Nigeria. It is also the second largest city in Nigeria. Kano boasts of several beautiful architectural designs. It can also be regarded as the central city of northern Nigeria. The city is also known for its annual Durbar festival which is hosted by the Emir of Kano to celebrate the two annual Islamic festivals, Eid-eil-fitri and Eid-eil-kabir. The city also has an international airport and tourist attractions like, the Bagauda Lake/Tiga lake resort, Audu Bako Zoo, Gidan Makama museum and so on.
6. Calabar
Calabar is known for hosting the largest street party in Africa, the Calabar carnival, which is held every December. It is the capital of Cross river state and surrounded by the great kwa and Calabar rivers and creeks from the inland Delta. Originally, the city was named Akwa Akpa by the Efik people. Calabar is often regarded as the capital of Nigerian tourism. It is also one of the cleanest and environmentally friendly cities in Nigeria. The city also boasts of an air and sea port. Among the tourist sites in the city are the Obudu cattle resort, several museums, botanical gardens, cultural centre, among others.
7. Onitsha
Onitsha is a commercial city located on the eastern bank of the Niger river. The metropolitan city is located in Anambra state. It is also an economic hub for industry and education. The city also boasts of a river port, international airport and the largest market in Africa in terms of size and volume of goods, Onitsha main market.
8. Ibadan
Ibadan is an ancient city in southern Nigeria. It is the capital of Oyo state and also the largest city in Africa by size. The city is said to be the center of Nigerian civilization as it is home to some of Nigeria’s first monument, like the first skyscraper named cocoa house, first university, University of Ibadan, first television station, Western Nigeria Television Service (WNTV) now known as NTA, including the first university teaching hospital in Africa. The city is also known for its popular markets where different products can be bought at a cheaper rate.
9. Jos
Popularly known as “J-Town”, Jos is a city located in the north ventral region of Nigeria. It is the capital city of Plateau state. The tin rich state is often regarded as a cosmopolitan city. The discovery of tin in the city led to the massive influx of immigrants from different parts of the the country. Even Europeans are not left out due to the cold temperature of the area. The city also has different attraction sights like the Jos national museum, Jos wildlife park, Jos Golf course etc. Jos is also home to several industries, like the NASCO group, standard biscuits, Zuma steel, Aluminum roofing industries, Jos international breweries, Grand cereals and oil mills.
10. Enugu
Enugu is the capital city of Enugu state, a state located in the Southeastern part of Nigeria. The name Enugu is coined from two Igbo words, ” Énú Úgwú which means “hill top”. The name was given as a result of the hilly geography of the city, although it lies at the foot of an escarpment. The city has a rich deposit of coal hence why it is named coal city. The city has a beautiful landscape and the Enugu hills can attest to this fact.