Nigeria Ethnic groups – Nigeria is divided into various ethnic groups, the most of which being Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba. There are a total of 371 tribes among these ethnic groupings.
However, the multi-tribal nature of Nigeria may be perplexing, especially when such tribes begin to exhibit their own culture, accent, and so on. To that aim, a complete list of Nigeria’s 371 tribes is provided for a better knowledge of the beautiful and unified country known as Nigeria.
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Nigeria, located in West Africa, is a country rich in culture and history. The country is home to native speakers of over a hundred languages. Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups demonstrate their individuality via their distinct customs, expression, and culture. Nigeria has the biggest population in Africa, with more than 206 million people in 2020.
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The nation’s primary ethnic groupings are the Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba. The nation’s variety provides a diverse national identity, a melting pot of many faiths and views. The national boundaries of several African states were drawn during the Scramble for Africa, when European powers prioritized European colocalization and land grabs above the histories and locations of ethnic groups across the continent.
The river Niger, which flows across the country and empties into the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the country’s most important geographical landmarks. With almost 500 miles of coastline, access to the sea is critical for the country. With its numerous waterways, marshes, and meadows, it was ideal for colonization. The earliest human remains discovered in the nation were a 13,000-year-old fossil discovered in the Iwo Eleru archaeological site.
Farmers who reared animals and grew crops inhabited the area for much of Nigeria’s history. Several autonomous city-states, such as the Hausa city-states (seven in total: Biram, Daura, Gobir, Kano, Katsina, Rano, and Zaria), emerged, trading products throughout Africa to adjacent villages, cities, and empires.
The Kingdom of Nri began its 1,000-year history in the 10th century C.E. and continues to exist via the Igbo ethnic group. Other empires, such as the Benin Kingdom and the Oyo Empire, sprung up within the borders of modern-day Nigeria. The Benin Kingdom exchanged artisan items and metalwork with surrounding African towns and sovereign powers between 1200 and 1800 C.E.
The Oyo Empire (around 1600-1800) established itself in southwest Nigeria. They claimed to be descendants of the exiled monarch of Ife, another Yoruba kingdom that lasted between 1000 and 1400 C.E. The Oyo Empire ruled over much of the former Ife area, which the Yoruba ethnic group revered as holy creation ground. The empire controlled vast areas of grassland and jungle, which they used for yam and okra production and fishing off the coast.
Over half of the individuals enslaved and sold to European powers in the 1700s were from Nigeria and West Africa, notably the southern coastal province of the Oyo Empire. Because of its heavily inhabited areas and proximity to the Atlantic and Europe, it played an important role in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
During the 1400s, the Niger Delta was a famous location for Portuguese traders to exchange European goods for slaves with natives. Slave labor was in high demand during the start of the 1500s, both in Spain and Portugal, as well as in the new colonies in the West Indies and South America. As the need for cash crops and precious metals grew, European domination of the Americas and Africa expanded to the point that 3.5 million people were forced into slavery in Nigeria alone between the 1500s and the 1800s.
Even after the British banned slavery in 1807, the Niger Delta became a major commercial traffic centre. Traditional Nigerian leadership and policies deteriorated throughout time in order to facilitate commerce with Europeans. Britain seized sovereignty of Nigeria in 1884, when Africa was legally partitioned among the European powers as colonies. British forces completely eliminated any indigenous Nigerian opposition. For decades, British merchants and business entrepreneurs dominated the region’s economic and natural resources.
The Nigerian independence movement began in 1953, when Anthony Enahoro, an activist who advocated for democracy and a shift away from colonialism, advocated for self-government in the Nigerian parliament, which was still administered by the British. Nigerian Independence Day was celebrated on October 1, 1960, with the appointment of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as Prime Minister. The Federal Republic of Nigeria was legally established in 1963, with Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe as its first president. However, stability would be fleeting.
The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, lasted three years and was sparked by mounting tensions and dissatisfaction with election results. On January 15, 1966, a coalition of Igbo military personnel overthrew the democratically elected government, charging authorities of corruption and aiming to elevate Nigeria’s northern region over the rest of the country. 22 powerful politicians and military figures were assassinated during the coup. Following this, political violence erupted in the western area as a result of the election results.
Ironsi, an Igbo, ruled until a northern counterattack in July 1996. Ironsi was assassinated by the north, and a new leader, General Yakubu Gowon, was appointed to assist unify the country. However, when the eastern Igbo area proclaimed its intention to split from the country and form the Biafra Republic, a full-fledged civil war broke out in 1967. With additional military resources, Nigerian forces were able to overwhelm and seize key vital areas in the Biafra region, including Port Harcourt. This capture resulted in a supply embargo for the Igbo territory, which culminated to the Igbo’s defeat, albeit not without suffering for civilians due to rampant disease and mass famine. The conflict finally concluded on January 15, 1970, with the Biafran defeat.
List Of All Nigeria Ethnic groups and their states :
1. Abayon – Cross River
2. Abua (Odual) – Rivers
3. Achipa (Achipawa) – Kebbi
4. Adim – Cross River
5. Adun – Cross River
6. Affade – Yobe
7. Afizere – Plateau
8. Afo – Plateau
9. Agbo – Cross River
10. Akaju- Ndem (Akajuk) – Cross River
11. Akweya- Yachi – Benue
12. Alago (Arago) – Piateau
13. Amo – Plateau
14. Anaguta – Plateau
15. Anang – Akwa lbom
16. Andoni – Akwa lbom, Rivers
17. Angas – Bauchi, Jigawa, Plateau
18. Ankwei – Plateau
19. Anyima – Cross River
20. Attakar (ataka) – Kaduna
21. Auyoka (Auyokawa) – Jigawa
22. Awori – Lagos, Ogun
23. Ayu – Kaduna
24. Babur – Adamawa, Bomo, Taraba, Yobe
25. Bachama – Adamawa
26. Bachere – Cross River
27. Bada – Plateau
28. Bade – Yobe
29. Bahumono – Cross River
30. Bakulung – Taraba
31. Bali – Taraba
32. Bambora (Bambarawa) – Bauchi
33. Bambuko – Taraba
34. Banda (Bandawa) – Taraba
35. Banka (Bankalawa) – Bauchi
36. Banso (Panso) – Adamawa
37. Bara (Barawa) – Bauchi
38. Barke – Bauchi
39. Baruba (Barba) – Niger
40. Bashiri (Bashirawa) – Plateau
41. Bassa – Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Plateau
42. Batta – Adamawa
43. Baushi – Niger
44. Baya – Adamawa
45. Bekwarra – Cross River
46. Bele (Buli, Belewa) – Bauchi
47. Betso (Bete) – Taraba
48. Bette – Cross River
49. Bilei – Adamawa
50. Bille – Adamawa
51. Bina (Binawa) – Kaduna
52. Bini – Edo
53. Birom – Plateau
54. Bobua – Taraba
55. Boki (Nki) – Cross River
56. Bkkos – Plateau
57. Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa) – Niger
58. Bole (Bolewa) – Bauchi, Yobe
59. Botlere – Adamawa
60. Boma (Bomawa, Burmano) – Bauchi
61. Bomboro – Bauchi
62. Buduma – Borno, Niger
63. Buji – Plateau
64. Buli – Bauchi
65. Bunu – Kogi
66. Bura – Adamawa
67. Burak – Bauchi
68. Burma (Burmawa) – Plateau
69. Buru – Yobe
70. Buta (Butawa) – Bauchi
71. Bwall – Plateau
72. Bwatiye – Adamawa
73. Bwazza – Adamawa
74. Challa – Plateau
75. Chama (Chamawa Fitilai) – Bauchi
76. Chamba – Taraba
77. Chamo – Bauchi
78. Chibok (Chibbak) – Yobe
79. Chinine – Borno
80. Chip – Plateau
81. Chokobo – Plateau
82. Chukkol – Taraba
83. Daba – Adamawa
84. Dadiya – Bauchi
85. Daka – Adamawa
86. Dakarkari – Niger, Kebbi
87. Danda (Dandawa) – Kebbi
88. Dangsa – Taraba
89. Daza (Dere, Derewa) – Bauchi
90. Degema – Rivers
91. Deno (Denawa) – Bauchi
92. Dghwede – Bomo
93. Diba – Taraba
94. Doemak (Dumuk) – Plateau
95. Ouguri – Bauchi
96. Duka (Dukawa) – Kebbi
97. Duma (Dumawa) – Bauchi
98. Ebana (Ebani) – Rivers
99. Ebirra (lgbirra) – Edo, Kogi, Ondo
100. Ebu – Edo, Kogi
101. Efik – Cross River
102. Egbema – Rivers
103. Egede (lgedde) – Benue
104. Eggon – Plateau
105. Egun (Gu) – Lagos,Ogun
106. Ejagham – Cross River
107. Ekajuk – Cross River
108. Eket – Akwa Ibom
109. Ekoi – Cross River
110. Engenni (Ngene) – Rivers
111. Epie – Rivers
112. Esan (Ishan) – Edo
113. Etche – Rivers
114. Etolu (Etilo) – Benue
115. Etsako – Edo
116. Etung – Cross River
117. Etuno – Edo
118. Palli – Adamawa
119. Pulani (Pulbe) – Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa , Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi , Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, etc.
120. Fyam (Fyem) – Plateau
121. Fyer(Fer) – Plateau
122. Ga’anda – Adamawa
123. Gade – Niger
124. Galambi – Bauchi
125. Gamergu- Mulgwa – Borno
126. Qanawuri – Plateau
127. Gavako – Borno
128. Gbedde – Kogi
129. Gengle – Taraba
130. Geji – Bauchi
131. Gera (Gere, Gerawa) – Bauchi
132. Geruma (Gerumawa) – Plateau
133. Geruma (Gerumawa) – Bauchi
134. Gingwak – Bauchi
135. Gira – Adamawa
136. Gizigz – Adamawa
137. Goernai – Plateau
138. Gokana (Kana) – Rivers
139. Gombi – Adamawa
140. Gornun (Gmun) – Taraba
141. Gonia – Taraba
142. Gubi (Gubawa) – Bauchi
143. Gude – Adamawa
144. Gudu – Adamawa
145. Gure – Kaduna
146. Gurmana – Niger
147. Gururntum – Bauchi
148. Gusu – Plateau
149. Gwa (Gurawa) – Adamawa
150. Gwamba Adamawa
151. Gwandara – Kaduna, Niger, Plateau
152. Gwari (Gbari) – Kaduna, Niger, Abuja, Plateau
153. Gwom – Taraba
154. Gwoza (Waha) – Borno
155. Gyem – Bauchi
156. Hausa: – Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna,Kano, Kastina, Kebbi, Niger,Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara etc
157. Higi (Hig) – Borno, Adamawa
158. Holma – Adamawa
159. Hona – Adamawa
160. Ibeno – Akwa lbom
161. Ibibio – Akwa lbom
162. Ichen – Adamawa
163. Idoma – Benue, Taraba
164. Igalla – Kogi
165. lgbo: – Abia, Anambra, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi,Enugu, Imo, Rivers
166. ljumu – Kogi
167. Ikorn – Cross River
168. Irigwe – Plateau
169. Isoko – Delta
170. lsekiri (Itsekiri) – Delta
171. lyala (lyalla) – Cross River
172. lzondjo – Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo, Rivers
173. Jaba – Kaduna
174. Jahuna (Jahunawa) – Taraba
175. Jaku – Bauchi
176. Jara (Jaar Jarawa Jarawa- Dutse) – Bauchi
177. Jere (Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa) – Bauchi, Plateau
178. Jero – Taraba
179. Jibu – Adamawa
180. Jidda- Abu – Plateau
181. Jimbin (Jimbinawa) – Bauchi
182. Jirai – Adamawa
183. Jonjo (Jenjo) – Taraba
184. Jukun – Bauchi, Benue,Taraba, Plateau
185. Kaba(Kabawa) – Taraba
186. Kadara – Taraba
187. Kafanchan – Kaduna
188. Kagoro – Kaduna
189. Kaje (Kache) – Kaduna
190. Kajuru (Kajurawa) – Kaduna
191. Kaka – Adamawa
192. Kamaku (Karnukawa) – Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger
193. Kambari – Kebbi, Niger
194. Kambu – Adamawa
195. Kamo – Bauchi
196. Kanakuru (Dera) – Adamawa, Borno
197. Kanembu – Borno
198. Kanikon – Kaduna
199. Kantana – Plateau
200. Kanuri – Kaduna, Adamawa, Borno, Kano,Niger, Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe
201. Karekare (Karaikarai) – Bauchi, Yobe
202. Karimjo – Taraba
203. Kariya – Bauchi
204. Katab (Kataf) – Kaduna
205. Kenern (Koenoem) – Plateau
206. Kenton – Taraba
207. Kiballo (Kiwollo) – Kaduna
208. Kilba – Adamawa
209. Kirfi (Kirfawa) – Bauchi
210. Koma – Taraba
211. Kona – Taraba
212. Koro (Kwaro) – Kaduna, Niger
213. Kubi (Kubawa) – Bauchi
214. Kudachano (Kudawa) – Bauchi
215. Kugama – Taraba
216. Kulere (Kaler) – Plateau
217. Kunini – Taraba
218. Kurama – Jigawa, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau
219. Kurdul – Adamawa
220. Kushi – Bauchi
221. Kuteb – Taraba
222. Kutin – Taraba
223. Kwalla – Plateau
224. Kwami (Kwom) – Bauchi
225. Kwanchi – Taraba
226. Kwanka (Kwankwa) – Bauchi, Plateau
227. Kwaro – Plateau
228. Kwato – Plateau
229. Kyenga (Kengawa) – Sokoto
230. Laaru (Larawa) – Niger
231. Lakka – Adamawa
232. Lala – Adamawa
233. Lama – Taraba
234. Lamja – Taraba
235. Lau – Taraba
236. Ubbo – Adamawa
237. Limono – Bauchi, Plateau
238. Lopa (Lupa, Lopawa) – Niger
239. Longuda (Lunguda) – Adamawa, Bauchi
240. Mabo – Plateau
241. Mada – Kaduna, Plateau
242. Mama – Plateau
243. Mambilla – Adamawa
244. Manchok – Kaduna
245. Mandara (Wandala) – Borno
246. Manga (Mangawa) – Yobe
247. Margi (Marghi) – Adamawa, Borno
248. Matakarn – Adamawa
249. Mbembe – Cross River, Enugu
250. Mbol – Adamawa
251. Mbube – Cross River
252. Mbula – Adamawa
253. Mbum – Taraba
254. Memyang (Meryan) – Plateau
255. Miango – Plateau
256. Miligili (Migili) – Plateau
257. Miya (Miyawa) – Bauchi
258. Mobber – Borno
259. Montol – Plateau
260. Moruwa (Moro’a, Morwa) – Kaduna
261. Muchaila – Adamawa
262. Mumuye – Taraba
263. Mundang – Adamawa
264. Munga (Mupang) – Plateau
265. Mushere – Plateau
266. Mwahavul (Mwaghavul) – Plateau
267. Ndoro – Taraba
268. Ngamo – Bauchi, Yobe
269. Ngizim – Yobe
270. Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe- Ndhang) – Adamawa, Borno
271. Ningi (Ningawa) – Bauchi
272. Ninzam (Ninzo) – Kaduna, Plateau
273. Njayi – Adamawa
274. Nkim – Cross River
275. Nkum – Cross River
276. Nokere (Nakere) – Plateau
277. Nunku – Kaduna, Plateau
278. Nupe – Niger
279. Nyandang – Taraba
280. Ododop Cross River
281. Ogori – Kwara
282. Okobo (Okkobor) – Akwa lbom
283. Okpamheri – Edo
284. Olulumo – Cross River
285. Oron – Akwa lbom
286. Owan – Edo
287. Owe – Kwara
288. Oworo – Kwara
289. Pa’a (Pa’awa Afawa) – Bauchi
290. Pai – Plateau
291. Panyam – Taraba
292. Pero – Bauchi
293. Pire – Adamawa
294. Pkanzom – Taraba
295. Poll – Taraba
296. Polchi Habe – Bauchi
297. Pongo (Pongu) – Niger
298. Potopo – Taraba
299. Pyapun (Piapung) – Plateau
300. Qua – Cross River
301. Rebina (Rebinawa) – Bauchi
302. Reshe – Kebbi, Niger
303. Rindire (Rendre) – Plateau
304. Rishuwa – Kaduna
305. Ron – Plateau
306. Rubu – Niger
307. Rukuba – Plateau
308. Rumada – Kaduna
309. Rumaya – Kaduna
310. Sakbe – Taraba
311. Sanga – Bauchi
312. Sate – Taraba
313. Saya (Sayawa Za’ar) – Bauchi
314. Segidi (Sigidawa) – Bauchi
315. Shanga (Shangawa) – Sokoto
316. Shangawa (Shangau) – Plateau
317. Shan- Shan – Plateau
318. Shira (Shirawa) – Kano
319. Shomo – Taraba
320. Shuwa – Adamawa, Borno
321. Sikdi – Plateau
322. Siri (Sirawa) – Bauchi
323. Srubu (Surubu) – Kaduna
324. Sukur – Adamawa
325. Sura – Plateau
326. Tangale – Bauchi
327. Tarok – Plateau, Taraba
328. Teme – Adamawa
329. Tera (Terawa) – Bauchi, Bomo
330. Teshena (Teshenawa) – Kano
331. Tigon – Adamawa
332. Tikar – Taraba
333. Tiv – Benue, Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa
334. Tula – Bauchi
335. Tur – Adamawa
336. Ufia – Benue
337. Ukelle – Cross River
338. Ukwani (Kwale) – Delta
339. Uncinda – Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto
340. Uneme (Ineme) – Edo
341. Ura (Ula) – Niger
342. Urhobo – Delta
343. Utonkong – Benue
344. Uyanga – Cross River
345. Vemgo – Adamawa
346. Verre – Adamawa
347. Vommi – Taraba
348. Wagga – Adamawa
349. Waja – Bauchi
350. Waka – Taraba
351. Warja (Warja) – Jigawa
352. Warji – Bauchi
353. Wula – Adamawa
354. Wurbo – Adamawa
355. Wurkun – Taraba
356. Yache – Cross River
357. Yagba – Kwara
358. Yakurr (Yako) – Cross River
359. Yalla – Benue
360. Yandang – Taraba
361. Yergan (Yergum) – Plateau
362. Yoruba – (Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Kogi)
363. Yott – Taraba
364. Yumu – Niger
365. Yungur – Adamawa
366. Yuom – Plateau
367. Zabara – Niger
368. Zaranda – Bauchi
369. Zarma (Zarmawa) – Kebbi
370. Zayam (Zeam) – Bauchi
371. Zul (Zulawa) –Bauchi
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