While recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, identified Sokoto as the poorest state in Nigeria with an estimated 90.5% of its population living in extreme poverty, a new report by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, has presented a different ranking.
According to the UNDP report, poverty levels vary significantly across different regions of the country, and Sokoto is not at the top of the list.
The report identified some of the major drivers of poverty to include lack of education, limited employment opportunities, and insecurity. It also revealed that most of the states worst hit by poverty are in the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
According to the UNDP Multidimensional Poverty Index, MPI, report for 2026, here are the 10 poorest states in Nigeria:
1. Kebbi
The UNDP report ranked Kebbi State as the poorest state in Nigeria. The report showed that poverty in the state cuts across different dimensions of life, including education, housing conditions, sanitation and access to essential services.
UNICEF data from 2019 showed that only 39% of the state's population has access to clean drinking water, while only 1% has access to quality drinking water.
These figures highlight long-standing challenges facing the state, especially the lack of basic infrastructure.
2. Yobe
Yobe State is ranked second among the poorest states in Nigeria based on the Multidimensional Poverty Index, MPI.
The report indicated that poverty in the state stems from multiple problems including low education, poor school attendance, malnutrition and lack of basic infrastructure.
The state also faces challenges in housing, sanitation, access to drinking water and cooking energy. According to the report, the convergence of these problems shows that many families lack access to essential life-supporting needs.
3. Sokoto
Although recent NBS reports once listed Sokoto as the poorest state, the UNDP report placed it third on the MPI scale.
The report showed that the major challenges facing the state include education, particularly years of schooling and school attendance, as well as lack of adequate clean drinking water and insecurity.
There are also challenges in housing, electricity and environmental sanitation.
Sokoto is among the states facing security challenges in northern Nigeria, a crisis that has displaced thousands of people from their communities.
4. Jigawa
In fourth position is Jigawa State, which the report listed among the areas where poverty is most severe in Nigeria.
Data from the report showed that low education, poor nutrition and inadequate water and sanitation services are among the major factors pushing people into poverty.
Jigawa State was created on August 27, 1991, from the old Kano State during the military administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB.
5. Zamfara
Despite increased revenue allocation, Zamfara State is ranked fifth among the states with the highest poverty rate in Nigeria.
Zamfara is one of the states with the highest number of out-of-school children. Closure of schools due to bandit attacks and lack of job opportunities for youths have further pushed people into poverty.
According to the UNDP report, educational and nutritional problems are most severe in the state. There is also a lack of infrastructure such as decent housing, clean water and cooking energy.
