Nigeria is a country that is richly endowed with lots of minerals and natural resources, of which crude oil has been a major source of revenue since it was discovered in the country. As at 2018, Nigeria is said to have an estimated population of 180 million people, with different ethnic groups, spread across the 36 states and FCT (Federal Capital Territory). Nigeria only have few oil producing states out of the whole 36, and in this post you will get to see and updated list of the oil producing states in Nigeria.

Before I show you the list of oil producing states in Nigeria, let me first of all give an answer to a popular question that is been asked in Nigerian schools, which is “when and where was oil discovered in Nigeria?

Complete List Of Oil Producing States in Nigeria (Updated)

The answer is quite simple and it is as follows:

Oil was first discovered in Nigeria on the 15th of January 1956 at Oloibiri, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

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After the oil boom of 1971, when crude oil was discovered, the main source of revenue of Nigeria as a country shifted from exploration of agricultural produce to the exploration of crude oil. Till date, crude oil can be found in large quantities in coastal and southern parts of Nigeria, in states such as Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom etc. Now, let us look at the full and updated list of oil producing states in Nigeria.

List of Oil Producing States in Nigeria

  1. Akwa Ibom

Currently, Akwa Ibom is the largest oil producing state in Nigeria. The capital of the state, Uyo, is also regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Nigeria. The state is located in the South South region of Nigeria, and it is bordered by Rivers, Cross River and Abia states. The state also shares boundary with the Atlantic Ocean.

Tourist sites and attractions that represents the rich cultural heritage of Akwa Ibom state includes; The Oron Museum, Sand beach and the Mary Slessor House .

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Akwa Ibom state is also rich in other natural resources such as coal, clay, nitrate, silver, glass sand, limestone and salt. The state is divided into 31 Local Government Areas, having three major ethnic groups; Oron, Annang, and Ibibio.

  1. Rivers

Rivers state is also among the list of oil producing states in Nigeria, and its capital is Port Harcourt. The state is also known to be one of the most highly populated state in the country, having a population of 5 million people according to the 2006 census. Rivers state is bordered by Imo, Abia, Anambra, Baylsa, and Delta states and also the Atlantic Ocean. The major ethnic group Rivers include Kalabari, Ogoni, Okrika, Ikwerre, Ibani and Opobo.

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  1. Delta

Another major oil producing state in Nigeria is Delta. The state is made up of ethnic groups such as the Urhobos, Itsekiris, and the Isokos. It has 25 local government areas. Warri, the heart of Delta state serves as home to one of the petroleum refineries in Nigeria. Delta state shares boundary with other states like Edo, Anambra, Ondo, and Imo states.

  1. Bayelsa

Bayelsa state is known as one of the least populated state in Nigeria as it has a population of about 1.9 million people. The state was carved out of Rivers and Delta in 1996. The four major ethic groups you will find in Bayelsa state include; Ogbia, Izon, Nembe, and Epie-Atissa. Its capital is Yenegoa, and the state share boundaries with other states like Rivers and Delta. It is also among the list of oil producing states in Nigeria.

  1. Cross River

Cross River is named after the popular river, Cross, which originates in Cameroon. The state is one of the most beautiful state in Nigeria, having lots of tourists centers. Cross River state is popularly known for the Calabar Carnival that comes up towards the end of each year. and the carnival is one of the largest in Africa. Cross River state is also an oil-rich state located in the south south region of Nigeria. The state shares boundaries with other states in Nigeria, like Ebonyi, Abia, Akwa Inbom and also Cameroon, a neighbouring West African country.

  1. Edo

Edo, one of the oil producing states in Nigeria has its capital as Benin City. The state has a population of over 3.3 million people spread across all local government areas in the state. Apart from oil, Edo state has other natural resources like clay, limestone, gold, granite and fine sand.

  1. Imo

Imo state is located in the south eastern part of Nigeria, and it has a population of about 4 million people spread across the 27 local government areas of the state. Apart from oil, Imo state is also endowed with other natural resources like zinc, lead, fine sand, clay and limestone. Having Owerri as its capital, Imo shares boundaries with other states like Abia, Delta, Rivers, and Anambra.

  1. Abia

Abia state is another oil producing state in Nigeria located in the south east. Having Umuahia as its capital, Abia is made up of 17 Local Government Areas and have a population of about 3 million people. The state shares boundaries with states like Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi and Cross River. Apart from oil, Abia state has other natural resources like zinc, lead, limestone and fine sand.

  1. Lagos

Lagos is located in the south western part of the country, and it is a new entrant among the list of oil producing states in Nigeria. Lagos is also the largest state in Nigeria when it comes to population, as it is the hub of commercial activities and have a population of over 17 million people. Lagos shares boundary with Ogun state and the Republic of Benin. Lagos has 20 Local Government Areas.

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  1. Ondo

Ondo is also located in the south western part of the country and it is the last among the list of oil producing states in Nigeria. Ondo state is made up of 18 Local Government Areas, and the major ethnic groups of the state includes; Akure, Akoko, Okitipupa, Ondo, Ilaje, and Owo. The state has a population of about 3 million people and it shares boundaries with other states like; Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Kogi, Delta and Edo.

So, this is the updated list of oil producing states in Nigeria as at 2018. It will be updated once any announcement or changes is been made by the Federal Government of Nigeria.