Nigeria is a nation favored with mineral assets and is comprised of 36 states. These states are intended to be profitable dependent on their accessible characteristic assets and are intended to have a solid and fair government fit for dealing with these normal assets to produce its income.
Some states are down to poverty by 70 percent. However, these poor states in Nigeria became poor due to bad governance, mismanagement of state resources or security issues as the case may be.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the 10 poorest states in Nigeria 2019 has been listed below, using infrastructural development, state of the economy, literacy level, security and governance to compile this list of 10 poorest states in Nigeria.
Here’s the list of the Top 10 Poorest States in Nigeria;
1. Sokoto State
Sokoto state is rated as the poorest state in Nigeria, ranking 81.2% on the poverty level. Its harsh climate conditions have made its a no go area and have prevented foreigners and foreign investors to come for investment in the state. It is also the seat of the Caliphate.
2. Kastina State
Located at the deepest part of the northwestern area of Nigeria, Kastina state made it in the list of poorest states in Nigeria because it has fewer or no solid investment or sector that generates revenue for the state.
3. Adamawa State
Due to the frequent attack from Boko Haram terrorists, Adamawa state’s economy has crippled as a result of its citizens running away from the state because of safety. It has affected the state poorly to a poverty level of 74.2%.
4. Gombe State
Gombe state which is located in the north-eastern part of Nigeria is also facing its own peril in security with a crippled economy to a 73.2% poverty level.
5. Jigawa State
A state situated in the north-western part of Nigeria and basically populated with the Hausa/Fulani tribe. With a low literacy level and low economic growth, the poverty level of Jigawa state is at 72.1%.
6. Plateau State
Although Plateau state is one of the highest populated states in Nigeria and has some tourist attractions, It has also suffered a long timely tribal conflict which has carelessly destroyed its economy by 71%
7. Ebonyi State
Unfortunately, this is the only state in the South-East that falls under the top poorest states in Nigeria with a poverty rate of 70.6% due to poverty, illiteracy and bad government.
8. Bauchi State
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Bauchi was ranked among states that are poor.
Statistics shows that majority of the residents in this area lack the basic amenities of life and it is a war-torn zone. The mortality rate recorded after the various insurgent attack is overwhelming.
9. Kebbi State
Kebbi is a state in north-western Nigeria. Its capital is Birnin Kebbi. The state also listed among the 10 states that have the highest poverty rate in the country. Its rating is 72%.
10. Zamfara State
With a 70.8 percent poverty rate, Zamfara has been ranked by the NBS among the poorest states in the country in 2019. Strife, disease, and hunger affect the residents of this state a lot.
