Nigeria is not only the most populated country in Africa but it is also the biggest black nation in the world. As large as the population is, it is made up of over 300 tribes scattered across all the states in the country. In this article, you will get to see the complete list of 371 tribes in Nigeria and the different states they originated from. This is one of the facts about Nigeria you can only get right here on Nigerian Fact, so read to the last page and educate yourself more about Nigeria.

You can as well check out some interesting facts about Nigeria that are fun and important for you to know. You will definitely come across some facts you have never known before.

List of 371 Tribes in Nigerian and the State Where They Originated Form

The 371 tribes found in Nigeria are segmented into three major ethnic groups, which are; Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba. They can also be classified as the three major tribes in Nigeria. Let me give you an overview of each one of them.

Major Tribes in Nigeria

Like you already know, there are 371 tribes in Nigeria and among the largest include; Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Kanuri, Annang, Tiv, Ibibio, Etsako, and Efik. Other Nigerian tribes apart from the ones mentioned constitute a smaller percentage of the total number or people from all the tribes in Nigeria. You should also note that Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba make up to 70% of the totoal population in Nigeria. These different Nigerian tribes have diverse cultures practiced by their people thereby contributing to the immense cultural diversity seen in the country.

Also read: Traditional Festivals in Nigeria: Their Importance and What They are all about

Let me enlighten you more about the 3 major tribes – Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba.

Hausa Tribe

Hausa for sure is the largest tribe in Nigeria constituting about 29% of Nigeria’s total population. They live in the northern part of NIgeria, Southern parts of Niger and west end of Chad Republic. They mostly occupy the towns and villages in Northern parts of the country which includes: Kano, Kaduna, Biram, Jos, Lafia,  Katsina, Abuja, Sokoto, Bauchi, BirninKebbi, Damaturu, Dutse, Gombe, Suleja, Gusau, Jalingo, Jebba, Jos, Lafia, Maiduguri, Makurdi, Yola, Zaria, etc.

No two tribes in Nigeria have exactly the same language but the Hausa language originated and forms part of the Chadic family of Languages which is similar but distantly related to Hebrew and Arabic. In recent times, because of the close similarities between the cultures and lifestyle of Hausa and Fulani, they are often regarded as Hausa-Fulani.

Igbo Tribe

Igbo is also one of the major tribes in Nigeria with an appreciable number of people owing their origin to the Igbo tribe. Historically, they were from the Nri Kingdom, which happens to be the oldest Kingdom in Nigeria. The Igbos are industrious people and they made bronze ceremonial vessels as part of the culture and heritage dated back to the stone age. Geographically, the Igbo land occupies most of South Eastern Nigeria and some of the major cities include Enugu, Onitsha, Owerri, Asaba, Awka, Abakiliki, Abia, Orlu, etc.

Yoruba Tribe

The Yoruba tribe constitute up to 21 % of the total population of Nigeria and this translates to about 40 million people. They inhabit the south-western part of the country but also live in other countries in West Africa including Benin, Ghana, Togo and surprisingly, the Caribbean. They are well involved in arts and have a long history of poetry. Between 1100AD to 1700AD, they made impressive bronze sculptures, most of which were made to represent the heads of gods and rulers. They also made lots of beadwork, metalwork, weaving and mask making.

Also read: Map of Nigeria Showing Details of the 36 States and FCT

Now you have known some facts about the three major tribes in Nigeria let me introduce you to the complete 371 tribes and the states they originated from.

Complete List of 371 Tribes in Nigeria and the States They Originated From

Below is the comprehensive list of all Nigerian tribes and their states of origin.

  1. Abayon Cross River
  2. Abua (Odual) Rivers
  3. Achipa (Achipawa) Kebbi
  4. Adim Cross River
  5. Adun Cross River
  6. AffadeYobe
  7. Afizere Plateau
  8. Afo Plateau
  9. Agbo Cross River
  10. Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk) Cross River
  11. Akweya-Yachi Benue
  12. Alago (Arago) nasarawa
  13. Amo Plateau
  14. Anaguta Plateau
  15. AnangAkwalbom
  16. AndoniAkwalbom, 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. BudumaBorno, Niger
  63. Buji Plateau
  64. Buli Bauchi
  65. BunuKogi
  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 (ChamawaFitilai) Bauchi
  76. Chamba Taraba
  77. Chamo Bauchi
  78. Chibok (Chibbak) Yobe
  79. ChinineBorno
  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. DghwedeBomo
  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,FCT,NasarawaBorno,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. EketAkwaIbom
  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. Falli Adamawa
  119. Fulani (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-MulgwaBomo
  126. Qanawuri Plateau
  127. GavakoBorno
  128. GbeddeKogi
  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, Plateau
  153. Gwom Taraba
  154. Gwoza (Waha) Bomo
  155. Gyem Bauchi
  156. Hausa: Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna,Kano, Kastina, Kebbi, Niger,Taraba, Sokoto, etc
  157. Higi (Hig) Borno, Adamawa
  158. Holma Adamawa
  159. Hona Adamawa
  160. Ibeno Akwalbom
  161. Ibibio Akwalbom
  162. Ichen Adamawa
  163. Idoma Benue, Taraba
  164. Igalla Kogi
  165. lgbo: Abia, Anambra, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi,Enugu, Imo, Rivers
  166. ljumuKogi
  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 (JaarJarawaJarawa-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. KambariKebbi, Niger
  194. Kambu Adamawa
  195. Kamo Bauchi
  196. Kanakuru (Dera) Adamawa, Borno
  197. KanembuBomo
  198. Kanikon Kaduna
  199. Kantana Plateau
  200. Kanufi Kaduna, Adamawa, Bomo, 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. KuramaJigawa, 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) Bomo
  246. Manga (Mangawa) Yobe
  247. Margi (Marghi) Adamawa, Bomo
  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. MobberBomo
  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. NgizimYobe
  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. OgoriKwara
  282. Okobo (Okkobor) Akwalbom
  283. Okpamheri Edo
  284. Olulumo Cross River
  285. OronAkwalbom
  286. Owan Edo
  287. Owe Kwara
  288. OworoKwara
  289. Pa’a (Pa’awaAfawa) Bauchi
  290. Pai Plateau
  291. Panyam Taraba
  292. Pero Bauchi
  293. Pire Adamawa
  294. Pkanzom Taraba
  295. Poll Taraba
  296. PolchiHabe Bauchi
  297. Pongo (Pongu) Niger
  298. Potopo Taraba
  299. Pyapun (Piapung) Plateau
  300. Qua Cross River
  301. Rebina (Rebinawa) Bauchi
  302. ResheKebbi, Niger
  303. Rindire (Rendre) Plateau
  304. Rishuwa Kaduna
  305. Ron Piateau
  306. Rubu Niger
  307. Rukuba Plateau
  308. Rumada Kaduna
  309. Rumaya Kaduna
  310. Sakbe Taraba
  311. Sanga Bauchi
  312. Sate Taraba
  313. Saya (SayawaZa’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. YagbaKwara
  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

That sums up the total 371 tribes in Nigeria and the states they are found. If you find this article educative enough, kindly use the social share buttons found on this page to share it with your friends and families on various social media platform. Also subscribe to our email list to get more facts about Nigeria delivered directly into your email.