Nigeria is a country of diverse ethnic race, the diversity even stems down to dialects, culture, beliefs, religion and more. It is important to note that migration plays a critical role in the population of a community, so is religious beliefs, commerce, opportunities, amenities, and government.

The Most populated state in Nigeria according to the last Census places Kano has the most populated state in Nigeria, with an estimated population of  9,383,682. The presidential election that took place in 2016, calculates over 4 million votes in Kano State alone. Kano has recently upgraded its status in terms of development, which has further increased its population.

Kano makes you feel like you are in Mumbai, India. This is an impression of a tourist who visited Kano, for the Durbar. Sokoto is the center of the caliphate but can hold the title of the best place to do business. It also receives millions of visitors from neighboring states and countries like Chad, Benin, and Niger.

Kano is located in the North West of Nigeria and has a good history of culture, arts, and trade activities. It is also famously known for its groundnut pyramids.

The second most populated state in Nigeria according to the last census places Lagos State the second most populated with 9,013,534. A coastal state with over 23% of its mass on the water. It was the former Capital of Nigeria, and still, represents the commercial capital of Nigeria. First discovered by the Portuguese, hence the name Lagos. Lagos is dubbed the center of excellence, it has a very active international airport, seaport, and headquarters of most businesses.

It is also the entertainment capital of Nigeria, the migration to Lagos is mostly based on commerce and opportunity. It is now home to a diverse ethnic group in Nigeria, which comprises of 6th generation migrant settlers the different parts of Nigeria. The original settlers are the Aworis, Eguns, Ijebu’s and other minor ethnic groups.

Controversy with the numbers

It is hard to believe that Nigeria has an accurate or near accurate number for its population. Most census seems to be biased and padded, this is due to the current system the country operates. The system favors population to determine, resource share, allocation, appointments, state creation, local government creation among many other things considered with the population.

The country does not have a harmonized birth, death and migration records of its citizens. The actual number can either be higher or lower, this does not help the country have a fair distribution of wealth and resources. Also planning is virtually going to be affected, though, in reality, it seems affected because the efforts of the government seem to evaporate upon implementation.

Proposed new census

The proposed new census will gulp a lot of money from the government, critics do not see a need to waste money on this exercise. Arguing that such funds should be diverted into infrastructural development, and amenities. Another school of thought thinks until the government revisits and changes the system that makes people bloat census figures, it will be an exercise in futility.