ALL Known Tribes in Nigeria by State: All 36 States Included [PDF Download]

Have you ever wondered how many tribes there are in Nigeria and which state each tribe belongs to?

With over 500 different ethnic groups, Nigeria is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world.

Whether you're a Nigerian wanting to reconnect with your roots or an outsider eager to learn more about this vibrant country, this guide is for you.

I’m Simon Taki Zaku, and for over a decade, I’ve been fascinated by the vast cultural richness of Nigeria. Growing up in Taraba State, I’ve always been surrounded by a unique blend of tribes.

This passion has led me to dive deeper into the history and languages of Nigeria’s tribes, and now, I’m excited to share this knowledge with you.

Together, we’ll explore the diverse tribes across Nigeria’s 36 states and their languages. So let’s dive in!

Tribes in Nigeria by State - ALL 36 States Included

1. Abia State

Abia, located in the southeastern region, is home to many different ethnic groups:

Igbo: Known for the Igbo language.

Ngwa: A subgroup of the Igbo.

Abiriba: Speak the Abiriba dialect of Igbo.

Ohafia: Speak Ohafia Igbo.

2. Adamawa State

Located in the northeastern part of Nigeria, Adamawa is rich in ethnic diversity:

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

Mumuye: Speak Mumuye.

Tula: Speak Tula.

Kilba: Speak Kilba.

Piti: Speak Piti.

3. Akwa Ibom State

Akwa Ibom, in the southern region, is known for its predominantly Ibibio-speaking population:

Ibibio: Speak Ibibio.

Annang: Speak Annang.

Oron: Speak Oron.

4. Anambra State

Anambra, located in the southeast, is dominated by the Igbo people:

Igbo: Speak Igbo.

5. Bauchi State

Bauchi, located in the northeast, is home to several ethnic groups:

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

Tiv: Speak Tiv.

Jarawa: Speak Jarawa.

6. Bayelsa State

Bayelsa, a coastal state in the south, is home to various ethnic groups:

Ijaw: Speak Ijaw.

Nembe: Speak Nembe.

Ogbia: Speak Ogbia.

7. Benue State

Located in the middle-belt region, Benue has a rich mix of ethnic groups:

Tiv: Speak Tiv.

Idoma: Speak Idoma.

Igede: Speak Igede.

8. Borno State

Borno, in the northeastern part of Nigeria, is a multi-ethnic state:

Kanuri: Speak Kanuri.

Shuwa Arab: Speak Shuwa Arabic.

Bade: Speak Bade.

9. Cross River State

Cross River, a southeastern state, is home to several ethnic groups:

Efik: Speak Efik.

Ejagham: Speak Ejagham.

Yakurr: Speak Yakurr.

10. Delta State

Delta, located in the southern part of Nigeria, is home to various ethnic groups:

Ijaw: Speak Ijaw.

Urhobo: Speak Urhobo.

Itsekiri: Speak Itsekiri.

11. Ebonyi State

Located in the southeast, Ebonyi is predominantly Igbo:

Igbo: Speak Igbo.

12. Edo State

Edo, in the southern region, is home to the Edo-speaking people:

Bini (Edo): Speak Edo.

13. Ekiti State

Ekiti, located in the southwestern part of Nigeria, is home to several Yoruba-speaking groups:

Yoruba: Speak Yoruba.

14. Enugu State

Enugu, in the southeastern region, is primarily Igbo-speaking:

Igbo: Speak Igbo.

15. Gombe State

Gombe, located in the northeastern region, has diverse ethnic groups:

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

Tangale: Speak Tangale.

Tera: Speak Tera.

16. Imo State

Imo, a southeastern state, is predominantly Igbo:

Igbo: Speak Igbo.

17. Jigawa State

Jigawa, located in the northwest, has a mix of Fulani and other ethnic groups:

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

Kanuri: Speak Kanuri.

Hausa: Speak Hausa.

18. Kaduna State

Kaduna, in the northern region, has a mix of different tribes:

Hausa: Speak Hausa.

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

Kaje: Speak Kaje.

Atyap: Speak Atyap.

19. Kano State

Kano, in the north, is predominantly Hausa-Fulani:

Hausa: Speak Hausa.

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

20. Katsina State

Located in the north, Katsina is home to several ethnic groups:

Hausa: Speak Hausa.

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

Kanuri: Speak Kanuri.

21. Kebbi State

Kebbi, in the northwest, is home to various ethnic groups:

Hausa: Speak Hausa.

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

Zuru: Speak Zuru.

22. Kogi State

Kogi, located in the middle-belt, has a diverse ethnic population:

Ebira: Speak Ebira.

Okun: Speak Okun.

Bassa: Speak Bassa.

23. Kwara State

Kwara, in the western region, is home to several ethnic groups:

Yoruba: Speak Yoruba.

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

Nupe: Speak Nupe.

24. Lagos State

Lagos, in the southwest, is Nigeria’s commercial capital:

Yoruba: Speak Yoruba.

Ijaw: Speak Ijaw.

Hausa: Speak Hausa.

25. Nasarawa State

Located in the middle-belt, Nasarawa is home to a variety of ethnic groups:

Afo: Speak Afo.

Eggon: Speak Eggon.

Gwandara: Speak Gwandara.

26. Niger State

Niger, located in the central part of Nigeria, has a mix of ethnic groups:

Hausa: Speak Hausa.

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

Nupe: Speak Nupe.

27. Ogun State

Ogun, in the southwest, is a Yoruba-majority state:

Yoruba: Speak Yoruba.

28. Ondo State

Ondo, in the southwest, is known for its Yoruba population:

Yoruba: Speak Yoruba.

29. Osun State

Osun, also in the southwest, is home to the Yoruba ethnic group:

Yoruba: Speak Yoruba.

30. Oyo State

Oyo, in the southwestern region, is primarily Yoruba:

Yoruba: Speak Yoruba.

31. Plateau State

Plateau, located in the north-central region, is home to several tribes:

Berom: Speak Berom.

Ngas: Speak Ngas.

Irigwe: Speak Irigwe.

32. Rivers State

Rivers, in the south-south region, is home to many ethnic groups:

Ijaw: Speak Ijaw.

Ikwerre: Speak Ikwerre.

Etche: Speak Etche.

33. Sokoto State

Sokoto, in the north-west, is home to several ethnic groups:

Hausa: Speak Hausa.

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

34. Taraba State

Taraba, located in the northeast, is home to a mix of ethnicities:

Jukun: Speak Jukun.

Mumuye: Speak Mumuye.

Chamba: Speak Chamba.

35. Yobe State

Yobe, in the northeast, is primarily populated by:

Kanuri: Speak Kanuri.

Shuwa Arab: Speak Shuwa Arabic.

36. Zamfara State

Zamfara, located in the north-west, is home to a variety of ethnic groups:

Hausa: Speak Hausa.

Fulani: Speak Fulfulde.

And that's the end.

Do you know any more languages spoken or any corrections you may have noticed? Feel free to contact me and ill Update.the article as soon as possible

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Simon Taki Zaku

Founder, CEO, IbiFoundry.com.ng

For IbiFoundry.com.ng/blog