5 Nigerian States with the Highest Oil Production: Nigeria is a massive country with a population of about 160 million people. Nigeria is also well-known for its enormous oil reserves. However, not all of Nigeria’s states produce oil.
The Niger-Delta portion of the country produces oil. This is the source of the majority of Nigeria’s oil. The Niger-Delta area is comprised of several states, including Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Ondo, Abia, Imo, and Anambra.
This region is occasionally referred to as Nigeria’s South-South region and is home to about 40 ethnic groups, including the Ijaws, Itsekiris, Urhobos, Isokos, Kalabari, Efik, Ibibio, Esan, Igbo, Oron, Annang, Yoruba, Ogoja, and Ukwuani.
Nigeria’s top five oil and gas producing states are as follows:
1. AKWA-IBOM
Akwa-Ibom is now Nigeria’s largest oil producing state, having displaced Rivers state from the top spot. It is located on Nigeria’s coast and is home to about 5 million people, according to the most recent census.
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Akwa-Ibom is bounded by the states of Rivers, Cross River, and Abia. Additionally, Akwa-Ibom state shares a border with the Atlantic Ocean. Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom, is regarded as one of the most attractive cities in Nigeria, attracting a large number of tourists each year.
Akwa-Ibom also features a plethora of cultural and historical sites, including the Oron Museum, Ibeno Sand beach, and the Mary Slessor House. Apart from oil, Akwa-Ibom state is endowed with a variety of natural resources, including clay, coal, silver nitrate, limestone, glass sand, and salt. Akwa-Ibom is organized into 31 local government areas and is dominated by the Oron, Annang, and Ibibio ethnic groups.
2. RIVERS
Before Akwa-Ibom took over, Rivers state was Nigeria’s largest oil producing state.
It is one of the most populated states in Nigeria, with a 2006 census population of approximately 5 million people. Rivers state is headquartered at Port-Harcourt and is bounded by the states of Imo, Anambra, Abia, Bayelsa, and Delta.
Rivers state is also surrounded on the south by the Atlantic Ocean. Kalabari, Okrika, Ogoni, Ikwerre, Ibani, and Opobo are only a few of the prominent ethnic groups of Rivers state. Rivers state currently has a total of 23 local government areas.
3. DELTA
Delta state is one of the most oil-producing and wealthiest states in Nigeria. Additionally, it is located in Nigeria’s Niger-Delta region and is comprised of 25 local government areas. Warri is the capital of Delta State and also the location of one of Nigeria’s petroleum refineries. The Urhobos, Isokos, and Itsekiris are three prominent ethnic groups in Delta State.
4. BAYELSA
Bayelsa State was formed in 1996 from Rivers and Delta.
Additionally, it is one of the key oil producing states, accounting for 80 percent of Nigeria’s crude oil reserves. Additionally, it is one of the least populous states in Nigeria, with a population of approximately 1.9 million individuals. Bayelsa State is headquartered in Yenagoa and is comprised of four primary ethnic groups: Ogbia, Nembe, Izon, and Epie-Atissa.
5. CROSS RIVER
Cross River State is a Nigerian state located in the country’s South South geopolitical zone. The state, named for the Cross River, was founded on 27 May 1967 from the eastern portion of the Eastern Region.
Read also: List of Oil Producing States in Nigeria
Calabar is the capital, and it is bounded on the north by Benue State, on the west by Ebonyi and Abia States, on the southwest by Akwa Ibom State, and on the east by Cameroon. Cross River State was once known as the South-Eastern State until being renamed in 1976. It encompassed the territory that is now Akwa Ibom State, which became a separate state in 1987.
It is named after the well-known Cross River, which originates in Cameroon. Cross River’s capital is Calabar, and the state shares a border with Cameroon.
