Ethnic Groups In Nigeria [Full List]

Nigeria has been dubbed “Africa’s Giant” because of its vast population and impressive economic achievements in comparison to its neighbors. Nigeria borders Benin, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, and is located in West Africa.

Nigeria is a fascinating country with over 500 ethnic groups and 500 languages spoken across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory! Below is a list of Nigeria’s eight most populous ethnic groups in Nigeria:

Hausa

The Hausa are Nigeria’s largest ethnic group. Hausa people make up about 25% of Nigeria’s population, with a population estimated to be around 67 million. The Hausa culture is homogenized, which means that it is extremely similar across Nigeria.

Hausas are recognized for their cattle and other livestock, as well as their farming and trading. The Hausa are also known for following Islam as their primary religion. Hausa, Nigeria’s largest ethnic community, has always been a key actor in Nigerian politics since the country’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1960.

Yoruba

Yoruba people account for around 21% of Nigeria’s population, making them the country’s second-largest ethnic group. Although many Yoruba still adhere to traditional components of their ancestors’ religious practices and beliefs, they are commonly categorized as Christian or Muslim. Many cultural traditions are upheld by this ethnic community, including music and culture festivals, traditional Yoruba art, and traditional architecture. Historically, the Yoruba culture has relied on vast numbers in a central place, as well as an Oba (King).

Igbo

Nigeria’s Igbo people make up about 18% of the country’s population. With the majority of Igbo identifying as Christians, they have traditionally been opposed to Sharia rule in Nigeria. Unlike the Hausa and Yoruba, Igbo society is not hierarchical and does not rely on a centralized government. In Nigeria’s southeastern region, the Igbo constitute an important element of the oil trade. Igbo people fought alongside the Nigerian government to gain independence in 1967. This was a two-and-a-half-year conflict in which Igbo people were forced to atrocious conditions, with many of them starved to death. Igbo have been reintegrated into Nigerian culture since the war, although many Igbo still feel marginalized by the Nigerian status quo.

Ijaw

The Ijaw are people who dwell in Nigeria’s Niger River Delta and makeup around 10% of the country’s population. The Ijaw have long had a tense relationship with the rest of Nigeria’s people.

The Ijaw live on grounds that are particularly oil-rich. This is a bittersweet situation for the Ijaw people, as oil development has put their land in jeopardy. Mismanagement of oil earnings has prevented a significant portion of the riches from returning to the Ijaw people. Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s Prime Minister from 2010 to 2015, is an Ijaw, and his election to the country’s highest office was a proud occasion for the Ijaw people.

Kanuri

The Kanuri are a Nigerian ethnic group who live in northeastern Nigeria. Their population is estimated to be around 4% of Nigeria’s total (approximately 4,000,000). Kanuri dwells in remote areas that are difficult to access for others. Sunni Muslims make up the majority of the Kanuri population.

Boko Haram, an Islamist rebel group in Nigeria’s north, is primarily made up of Kanuri people. This organization aims to express several Kanuri issues against the Nigerian government. Despite the Kanuri culture’s rich past, Boko Haram has used their territories as a base of operations, subjecting innocent Kanuri people to violence and Sharia law.

Fulani

The Fulani people have been interwoven with the Hausa of Nigeria since the Fulani War (1804-1808). This is largely owing to marriages and the presence of Fulani among the Hausa. Nigeria’s Fulani and Hausa people account for roughly 29% of the country’s population. Fulani people were among the first to embrace Islam, and many of them are regarded as brilliant Islamic clerics. Fulani people, like the Hausa, have been a strong presence in Nigerian politics since the country’s independence in 1960.

Ibibio

The Ibibio, who live primarily in southern Nigeria, have a rich oral history that has been passed down through the years. For hundreds of years, these people have resided in this portion of Nigeria. This ethnic group has a population of about 4.5 million people, or about 3.5 percent of Nigeria’s total population. The Ibibio people of the region also approached the British Crown about forming their own sovereign nation within Nigeria (pre-independence). Today, the majority of Ibibio people identify as Christians. Ibibio is known for its incredible artistic culture, which is best known for its intricate wooden masks and carvings.

Tiv

The Tiv ethnic group is well-known for their agricultural products and the trade of these products. This is one of the group’s only sources of income. The Tiv people may all trace their roots back to an ancient man named Tiv who had two sons. Only a small percentage of Tivs identify as Christians and even fewer as Muslims. Within the Tiv population, the old Tiv religion, which is based on the management of forces by humans entrusted by a creator God, is still strong. Tiv makes up only 3.5 percent of Nigeria’s population, making them one of the country’s minor ethnic groupings.

Ethnic Groups In Nigeria By Population

 

Other Ethnic Groups In Nigeria

Nigeria’s remaining ethnic groups account for 12% of the country’s population. To mention a few, these groups are Ebira, Edo, Gwari, Jukun, and Igala. Nigeria’s middle belt is noted for its diversity, with many of the country’s remaining ethnic groups residing there.

Despite Nigeria’s wide ethnicity, many of the groups mentioned above live in isolation from one another. In Nigeria, most ethnic groups have organized illegal vigilante or militia groups to safeguard their interests from other ethnic groups.

List of 371 Ethnic Groups in Nigeria and their People

1. Abayon is in Cross River

2. Abua (Odual) is in Rivers

3. Achipa (Achipawa) is in Kebbi

4. Adim is in Cross River

5. Adun is in Cross River

6. Affade is in Yobe

7. Afizere is in Plateau

8. Afo is in Plateau

9. Agbo is in Cross River

10. Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk) is in Cross River

11. Akweya-Yachi is in Benue

12. Alago (Arago) is in Piateau

13. Amo is in Plateau

14. Anaguta is in Plateau

15. Anang is in Akwa lbom

16. Andoni is in Akwa lbom, Rivers

17. Angas is in Bauchi, Jigawa, Plateau

18. Ankwei is in Plateau

19. Anyima is in Cross River

20. Attakar (ataka) is in Kaduna

21. Auyoka (Auyokawa) is in Jigawa

22. Awori is in Lagos, Ogun

23. Ayu is in Kaduna

24. Babur is in Adamawa, and Bomo, and Taraba, and Yobe

25. Bachama is in Adamawa

26. Bachere is in Cross River

27. Bada is in Plateau

28. Bade is in Yobe

29. Bahumono is in Cross River

30. Bakulung is in Taraba

31. Bali is in Taraba

32. Bambora (Bambarawa) is in Bauchi

33. Bambuko is in Taraba

34. Banda (Bandawa) is in Taraba

35. Banka (Bankalawa) is in Bauchi

36. Banso (Panso) is in Adamawa

37. Bara (Barawa) is in Bauchi

38. Barke is in Bauchi

39. Baruba (Barba) is in Niger

40. Bashiri (Bashirawa) is in Plateau

41. Bassa is in Kaduna, and Kogi, and Niger, and Plateau

42. Batta is in Adamawa

43. Baushi is in Niger

44. Baya is in Adamawa

45. Bekwarra is in,Cross River

46. Bele (Buli, Belewa) is in Bauchi

47. Betso (Bete) is in,Taraba

48. Bette is in Cross River

49. Bilei is in,Adamawa

50. Bille is in Adamawa

51. Bina (Binawa) is in Kaduna

52. Bini is in Edo

53. Birom is in Plateau

54. Bobua is in Taraba

55. Boki (Nki) is in Cross River

56. Bkkos is in Plateau

57. Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa) are in Niger

58. Bole (Bolewa) is in Bauchi, and Yobe

59. Botlere is in Adamawa

60. Boma (Bomawa, Burmano) are in Bauchi

61. Bomboro is in Bauchi

62. Buduma is in Borno, Niger

63. Buji is in Plateau

64. Buli is in Bauchi

65. Bunu is in,Kogi

66. Bura is in Adamawa

67. Burak is in Bauchi

68. Burma (Burmawa) is in Plateau

69. Buru is in Yobe

70. Buta (Butawa) is in Bauchi

71. Bwall is in Plateau

72. Bwatiye is in Adamawa

73. Bwazza is in Adamawa

74. Challa is in Plateau

75. Chama (Chamawa Fitilai) is in Bauchi

76. Chamba is in Taraba

77. Chamo is in Bauchi

78. Chibok (Chibbak) is in Yobe

79. Chinine is in Borno

80. Chip is in Plateau

81. Chokobo is in,Plateau

82. Chukkol is in Taraba

83. Daba is in Adamawa

84. Dadiya is in Bauchi

85. Daka is in Adamawa

86. Dakarkari is in,Niger, and Kebbi

87. Danda (Dandawa) is in Kebbi

88. Dangsa -Taraba

89. Daza (Dere, Derewa) is in Bauchi

90. Degema is in Rivers

91. Deno (Denawa) is in Bauchi

92. Dghwede is in Bomo

93. Diba is in Taraba

94. Doemak (Dumuk) is in,Plateau

95. Ouguri is in Bauchi

96. Duka (Dukawa) is in Kebbi

97. Duma (Dumawa) is in,Bauchi

98. Ebana (Ebani) is in Rivers

99. Ebirra (lgbirra) is in Edo, and Kogi, and Ondo

100. Ebu is in Edo, and Kogi

101. Efik is in Cross River

102. Egbema is in Rivers

103. Egede (lgedde) is in Benue

104. Eggon is in Plateau

105. Egun (Gu) is in Lagos,Ogun

106. Ejagham is in Cross River

107. Ekajuk is in Cross River

108. Eket is in Akwa Ibom

109. Ekoi is in Cross River

110. Engenni (Ngene) is in Rivers

111. Epie is in Rivers

112. Esan (Ishan) is in Edo

113. Etche is in Rivers

114. Etolu (Etilo) is in Benue

115. Etsako is in Edo

116. Etung is in Cross River

117. Etuno is in Edo

118. Palli is in Adamawa

119. Pulani (Pulbe) is in Bauchi, and Borno, Jigawa, and Kaduna, and Kano, and Katsina, Kebbi, and Niger, and Sokoto, and Taraba, and Yobe, among others.

120. Fyam (Fyem) is in Plateau

121. Fyer(Fer) -Plateau

122. Ga’anda is in Adamawa

123. Gade is in Niger

124. Galambi is in Bauchi

125. Gamergu-Mulgwa is in Borno

126. Qanawuri is in Plateau

127. Gavako is in Borno

128. Gbedde is in Kogi

129. Gengle is in Taraba

130. Geji is in Bauchi

131. Gera (Gere, Gerawa) are in Bauchi

132. Geruma (Gerumawa) is in Plateau

133. Geruma (Gerumawa) is in Bauchi

134. Gingwak is in Bauchi

135. Gira is in Adamawa

136. Gizigz is in,Adamawa

137. Goernai is in Plateau

138. Gokana (Kana) is in Rivers

139. Gombi is in Adamawa

140. Gornun (Gmun) is in Taraba

141. Gonia is in Taraba

142. Gubi (Gubawa) is in Bauchi

143. Gude is in Adamawa

144. Gudu is in,Adamawa

145. Gure is in Kaduna

146. Gurmana is in Niger

147. Gururntum is in Bauchi

148. Gusu -Plateau

149. Gwa (Gurawa) is in Adamawa

150. Gwamba is in Adamawa

151. Gwandara is in Kaduna, and Niger, and Plateau

152. Gwari (Gbari) is in Kaduna, and Niger, and Abuja, and Plateau

153. Gwom is in Taraba

154. Gwoza (Waha) is in Borno

155. Gyem is in Bauchi

156. Hausa: is in Bauchi, and Borno, and Jigawa, and Kaduna, and Kano, and Kastina, and Kebbi, and Niger, and Taraba, and Sokoto, and Zamfara among others.

157. Higi (Hig) is in Borno, Adamawa

158. Holma is in Adamawa

159. Hona is in Adamawa

160. Ibeno is in Akwa lbom

161. Ibibio is in Akwa lbom

162. Ichen is in Adamawa

163. Idoma is in Benue, and Taraba

164. Igalla is in Kogi

165. lgbo: is in Abia, and Anambra, and Benue, and Delta, and Ebonyi, and Enugu, and Imo, and Rivers

166. ljumu is in Kogi

167. Ikorn is in Cross River

168. Irigwe is in Plateau

169. Isoko is in Delta

170. lsekiri (Itsekiri) is in,Delta

171. lyala (lyalla) is in Cross River

172. lzondjo is in Bayelsa, and Delta, and Ondo, and Rivers

173. Jaba is in Kaduna

174. Jahuna (Jahunawa) is in Taraba

175. Jaku is in Bauchi

176. Jara (Jaar and Jarawa and Jarawa-Dutse) are Bauchi

177. Jere (Jare, and Jera, and Jera, and Jerawa) are in Bauchi, and Plateau

178. Jero is in Taraba

179. Jibu is in Adamawa

180. Jidda-Abu is in Plateau

181. Jimbin (Jimbinawa) is in Bauchi

182. Jirai is in Adamawa

183. Jonjo (Jenjo) is in Taraba

184. Jukun is in Bauchi, and Benue, and Taraba, and Plateau

185. Kaba(Kabawa) is in Taraba

186. Kadara is in Taraba

187. Kafanchan is in Kaduna

188. Kagoro is in Kaduna

189. Kaje (Kache) is in Kaduna

190. Kajuru (Kajurawa) is in Kaduna

191. Kaka is in Adamawa

192. Kamaku (Karnukawa) is in Kaduna, and Kebbi, and Niger

193. Kambari is in Kebbi, and Niger

194. Kambu is in Adamawa

195. Kamo – is in Bauchi

196. Kanakuru (Dera)  is in Adamawa, and Borno

197. Kanembu is in,Borno

198. Kanikon is in,Kaduna

199. Kantana is in Plateau

200. Kanuri is in Kaduna, and Adamawa, and Borno, Kano, and Niger, and Jigawa, and Plateau, and Taraba, and Yobe

201. Karekare (Karaikarai) is in Bauchi, and Yobe

202. Karimjo is in Taraba

203. Kariya is in Bauchi

204. Katab (Kataf) is in Kaduna

205. Kenern (Koenoem) is in Plateau

206. Kenton is in Taraba

207. Kiballo (Kiwollo) is in Kaduna

208. Kilba is in Adamawa

209. Kirfi (Kirfawa) is in Bauchi

210. Koma is in Taraba

211. Kona is in Taraba

212. Koro (Kwaro) is in Kaduna, and Niger

213. Kubi (Kubawa) is in Bauchi

214. Kudachano (Kudawa) is in Bauchi

215. Kugama is in Taraba

216. Kulere (Kaler) is in Plateau

217. Kunini is in Taraba

218. Kurama is in Jigawa, and Kaduna, and Niger, and Plateau

219. Kurdul is in Adamawa

220. Kushi is in Bauchi

221. Kuteb is in Taraba

222. Kutin is in,Taraba

223. Kwalla is in Plateau

224. Kwami (Kwom) is in Bauchi

225. Kwanchi is in Taraba

226. Kwanka (Kwankwa) is in Bauchi, and Plateau

227. Kwaro is in Plateau

228. Kwato  is in Plateau

229. Kyenga (Kengawa)  is in Sokoto

230. Laaru (Larawa) is in Niger

231. Lakka is in Adamawa

232. Lala is in Adamawa

233. Lama is in,Taraba

234. Lamja is in Taraba

235. Lau is in Taraba

236. Ubbo is in Adamawa

237. Limono is in Bauchi, and Plateau

238. Lopa (Lupa, and Lopawa) are in Niger

239. Longuda (Lunguda) is in Adamawa, and Bauchi

240. Mabo is in Plateau

241. Mada is in Kaduna, and Plateau

242. Mama is in Plateau

243. Mambilla is in Adamawa

244. Manchok is in Kaduna

245. Mandara (Wandala) is in Borno

246. Manga (Mangawa) is in Yobe

247. Margi (Marghi) is in Adamawa, and Borno

248. Matakarn is in Adamawa

249. Mbembe is in Cross River, and Enugu

250. Mbol is in Adamawa

251. Mbube is in,Cross River

252. Mbula  is in Adamawa

253. Mbum is in Taraba

254. Memyang (Meryan) is in Plateau

255. Miango is in Plateau

256. Miligili (Migili) is in Plateau

257. Miya (Miyawa) is in Bauchi

258. Mobber is in Borno

259. Montol is in Plateau

260. Moruwa (Moro’a, and Morwa) are in Kaduna

261. Muchaila is Adamawa

262. Mumuye is in Taraba

263. Mundang is in Adamawa

264. Munga (Mupang) is in Plateau

265. Mushere is in Plateau

266. Mwahavul (Mwaghavul) is in Plateau

267. Ndoro is in Taraba

268. Ngamo is in Bauchi, and Yobe

269. Ngizim is in Yobe

270. Ngweshe (Ndhang and Ngoshe-Ndhang) are in Adamawa, and Borno

271. Ningi (Ningawa) is in Bauchi

272. Ninzam (Ninzo) is in Kaduna, and Plateau

273. Njayi is in Adamawa

274. Nkim is in Cross River

275. Nkum is in Cross River

276. Nokere (Nakere) is in Plateau

277. Nunku is in Kaduna, and Plateau

278. Nupe is in Niger

279. Nyandang is in Taraba

280. Ododop is in Cross River

281. Ogori is in Kwara

282. Okobo (Okkobor) is in Akwa lbom

283. Okpamheri is in Edo

284. Olulumo is in Cross River

285. Oron is in Akwa lbom

286. Owan is in Edo

287. Owe is in Kwara

288. Oworo is in Kwara

289. Pa’a (Pa’awa Afawa) is in Bauchi

290. Pai is in Plateau

291. Panyam is in Taraba

292. Pero is in Bauchi

293. Pire is in Adamawa

294. Pkanzom is in Taraba

295. Poll is in Taraba

296. Polchi Habe is in Bauchi

297. Pongo (Pongu) is in Niger

298. Potopo is in Taraba

299. Pyapun (Piapung) is in Plateau

300. Qua is in Cross River

301. Rebina (Rebinawa) is in Bauchi

302. Reshe is in Kebbi, and Niger

303. Rindire (Rendre) is in Plateau

304. Rishuwa is in Kaduna

305. Ron is in Plateau

306. Rubu is in Niger

307. Rukuba is in Plateau

308. Rumada is in Kaduna

309. Rumaya is in Kaduna

310. Sakbe is in Taraba

311. Sanga is in Bauchi

312. Sate is in Taraba

313. Saya (Sayawa Za’ar) is in Bauchi

314. Segidi (Sigidawa) is in Bauchi

315. Shanga (Shangawa) is in Sokoto

316. Shangawa (Shangau) is in Plateau

317. Shan-Shan is in Plateau

318. Shira (Shirawa) is in Kano

319. Shomo is in Taraba

320. Shuwa is in Adamawa, and Borno

321. Sikdi is in Plateau

322. Siri (Sirawa) is in Bauchi

323. Srubu (Surubu) is in Kaduna

324. Sukur is in Adamawa

325. Sura is in Plateau

326. Tangale is in Bauchi

327. Tarok is in Plateau, and Taraba

328. Teme is in Adamawa

329. Tera (Terawa) is in Bauchi, and Bomo

330. Teshena (Teshenawa) is in Kano

331. Tigon is in Adamawa

332. Tikar is in Taraba

333. Tiv is in Benue, and Plateau, and Taraba and Nasarawa

334. Tula is in Bauchi

335. Tur is in Adamawa

336. Ufia is in Benue

337. Ukelle is in Cross River

338. Ukwani (Kwale) is in Delta

339. Uncinda is in Kaduna, and Kebbi, and  Niger, and Sokoto

340. Uneme (Ineme) is in Edo

341. Ura (Ula) is in Niger

342. Urhobo is in Delta

343. Utonkong is in Benue

344. Uyanga is in Cross River

345. Vemgo is in Adamawa

346. Verre is in Adamawa

347. Vommi is in,Taraba

348. Wagga is in Adamawa

349. Waja is in Bauchi

350. Waka is in Taraba

351. Warja (Warja) is in Jigawa

352. Warji is in Bauchi

353. Wula is in Adamawa

354. Wurbo is in,Adamawa

355. Wurkun is in Taraba

356. Yache is in Cross River

357. Yagba is in Kwara

358. Yakurr (Yako) is in Cross River

359. Yalla is in Benue

360. Yandang is in Taraba

361. Yergan (Yergum) -Plateau

362. Yoruba is in (Kwara, and Lagos, and Ogun, and Ondo, and Oyo, and Osun, and Ekiti, and Kogi)

363. Yott is in Taraba

364. Yumu is in Niger

365. Yungur is in Adamawa

366. Yuom is in Plateau

367. Zabara is in Niger

368. Zaranda is in Bauchi

369. Zarma (Zarmawa) is in Kebbi

370. Zayam (Zeam) is in Bauchi

371. Zul (Zulawa) is in Bauchi

Conclusion

The foregoing is a complete list of Nigeria’s ethnic groups. Nigeria is a country with several ethnic groups.