Nigeria is called the Giant of Africa. Not because it is the largest country in terms of land area, but because it is the most populous country on the continent.
The largest city in Nigeria are; Zaria, Lagos, Benin City, Abuja, Oyo, Ibadan, Gusau, Ede, Mokwa Nsukka etc.
The country has more than 200 million people living in an area of 356,669 square miles. The original capital of Nigeria, Lagos, is one of the most populous cities. Interestingly, it is not the largest in terms of land area. The largest city in Nigeria is spread across different parts of the country.
List of largest Cities in Nigeria
Below are the largest cities in Nigeria in terms of land area.
1. Zaria - 217.4 sq mi
Zaria is one of the seven Hausa cities and one of the largest cities in northern Nigeria. The city is named after Queen Amina Zaria, a famous Hausa leader who ruled the powerful kingdom of Zazzau before the colonial era. Zaria, now in Kaduna state, is home to Ahmadu Bello University, one of the largest universities in Nigeria.
2. Lagos - 452.2 sq mi
The port city of Lagos is the most important commercial city in Nigeria. The city is located on the edge of the Atlantic and attracts many residents from all regions of the country. Although historically a Yoruba city, Lagos' status as the country's economic center means that it is now a melting pot of people and cultures from across the country. Although Lagos is one of the most populous cities in Nigeria, Lagos is at the bottom of the list of largest cities in terms of land area. In other words, the state is the most populous country in Nigeria.
3. Benin City - 464.9 sq mi
Benin City is the capital of Edo State and the fourth most populous city in Nigeria. The kingdom of Benin is famous all over the world for its arts and culture. Some of the most popular are the metal sculptures of Benin. Many cultural artifacts can still be found in museums around the world.
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4. Abuja - 683 sq mi
Abuja is in the center of Nigeria. In the same way, it is also the center of politics and government, which was chosen to replace Lagos, the capital of the country. As the Federal Capital Territory of the country, the city of Abuja is planned from the ground up and is one of the most beautiful cities in Nigeria.
5. Oyo - 937.1 sq mi
Oyo State derives its name from the ancient city of Oyo. At one time in history, this important Yoruba nation was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Africa. The Oyo Empire extended its reach to other African countries. The kingdom reached as far as Dahomey and the present Republic of Benin. Although the empire collapsed when the country became a protectorate of Great Britain in 1888, the city which is the seat of government of Oyo still has a large area.
6. Ibadan - 1,190 sq mi
With a population of over 6 million, Ibadan is one of the most populous cities in Nigeria. It is also one of the largest cities in the country in terms of land area. Often regarded as one of Africa's fastest growing countries, this large state in southwestern Nigeria is a major commercial hub. Ibadan is also a great city of learning. The state is home to Nigeria's first university. The proximity of the city to Lagos, the commercial capital of the country, is for the influx of people and business activities.
7. Gusau -1,299 sq mi
Gusau is the capital of Zamfara state and one of the largest cities in Nigeria. The growth of this multi-ethnic city began during the colonial period when the city served as a major commercial and administrative center. It is well connected by road and rail network and is a popular trading center in northwest Nigeria. The country's economy is built around agriculture as the main source of income.
8. Ede - 1,300 sq mi
The town of Ede is located in Osun state, in the center of southwest Nigeria. The town's location in the inter-regional settlement of Osun State makes it an important port of call and one of the fastest growing towns in South West Nigeria. Part of this country is home to Nigeria's Yoruba tribe, and Ede has one of the highest Yoruba populations in the country.
9. Mokwa - 1,675 sq mi
Mokwa, a city in Niger state, is one of the largest cities in Nigeria. Similarly, Niger State is also the largest state in the country in terms of land area. Although it has a land border with Nigeria, Mokwa is not one of the most popular cities in Nigeria. The city was important during the colonial period of the country. It is an important gateway to the north of the country. The Mokwa are a diverse ethnic group including Gbagi, Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba.
10. Nsukka - 2,141 sq mi
It is located in the center of Eastern Nigeria and is the place of the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. The kingdom of Nsukka as one of the capitals of Nigeria started before the colonial era. Ancient kingdoms had large military bases that they used to wage war and take over territory from neighboring countries, amassing land borders.
Final Thought
As this list of the largest cities in Nigeria shows, the size of the cities in the country does not depend on their population. The population of Nigerian cities is closely related to the level of development and business needs of those cities.
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