Complete List of Tribes in Nigeria

Nigeria is a West African country that is made up of 371 tribes with unique dialects and cultures.

These tribes are located across the 36 states of the country, with some existing across multiple state boundaries. The most popular tribes in Nigeria are undoubtedly the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo tribes which make up 60% of the total population of Nigeria. The Hausa are predominantly in the north while the Yorubas are found in the western part of the country. Igbos, on the other hand, are in the east.

Below is a comprehensive list of all the tribes in Nigeria grouped under the states where you can find them.

Tribes in Nigeria And The States They Occupy

1. Abia State (Umuahia)

  • Igbo

2. Adamawa State (Yola)

  • Babur
  • Bachama
  • Banso (Panso)
  • Batta
  • Baya
  • Bilei
  • Bille
  • Botlere
  • Bura
  • Bwatiye
  • Bwazza
  • Daba
  • Daka
  • Palli
  • Ga’anda
  • Gira
  • Gizigz
    Gombi
  • Gude
  • Gudu
  • Gwa (Gurawa)
  • Gwamba
  • Higi (Hig)
  • Holma
  • Hona
  • Ichen
    Jibu
  • Jirai
  • Kaka
  • Kambu
  • Kanakuru (Dera)
  • Kanuri
  • Kilba
  • Kurdul
  • Lakka
  • Lala
  • Ubbo
  • Longuda (Lunguda)
  • Mambilla
  • Margi (Marghi)
  • Matakarn
  • Mbol
  • Mbula
  • Muchaila
  • Mundang
  • Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe-Ndhang)
  • Njayi
  • Pire
  • Shuwa
  • Sukur
  • Teme
  • Tigon
  • Tur
  • Vemgo
  • Verre
  • Wagga
  • Wula
  • Wurbo
  • Yungur

3. Akwa Ibom State (Uyo)

  • Anang
  • Andoni
  • Eket
  • Ibeno
  • Ibibio
  • Okobo (Okkobor)
  • Oron

4. Anambra State (Awka)

  • Igbo

5. Bauchi State (Bauchi)

  • Angas
  • Bambora (Bambarawa)
  • Banka (Bankalawa)
  • Bara (Barawa)
  • Barke
  • Bele (Buli, Belewa)
  • Boma (Bomawa, Burmano)
  • Bomboro
  • Buli
  • Burak
  • Buta (Butawa)
  • Chama (Chamawa Fitilai)
  • Chamo
  • Dadiya
  • Daza (Dere, Derewa)
  • Deno (Denawa)
  • Ouguri
  • Duma (Dumawa)
  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Galambi
  • Geji
  • Gera (Gere, Gerawa)
  • Geruma (Gerumawa)
  • Gingwak
  • Gubi (Gubawa)
  • Gururntum
  • Gyem
  • Hausa
  • Jaku
  • Jara (Jaar Jarawa Jarawa-Dutse)
  • Jere (Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa)
  • Jimbin (Jimbinawa)
  • Jukun
  • Kamo
  • Karekare (Karaikarai)
  • Kariya
  • Kirfi (Kirfawa)
  • Kubi (Kubawa)
  • Kudachano (Kudawa)
  • Kushi
  • Kwami (Kwom)
  • Kwanka (Kwankwa)
  • Limono
  • Longuda (Lunguda)
  • Miya (Miyawa)
  • Ngamo
  • Ningi (Ningawa)
  • Pa’a (Pa’awa Afawa)
  • Pero
  • Polchi Habe
  • Rebina (Rebinawa)
  • Sanga
  • Saya (Sayawa Za’ar)
  • Segidi (Sigidawa)
  • Siri (Sirawa)
  • Tangale
  • Tera (Terawa)
  • Tula
  • Waja
  • Warji
  • Zaranda
  • Zayam (Zeam)
  • Zul (Zulawa)

6. Bayelsa State (Yenagoa)

  • Izondjo

7. Benue State (Makurdi)

  • Akweya-Yachi
  • Egede (Igedde)
  • Etolu (Etilo)
  • Idoma
  • Igbo
  • Jukun
  • Tiv
  • Ufia
  • Utonkong
  • Yalla

8. Borno State (Maiduguri)

  • Babur
  • Buduma
  • Chinine
  • Dghwede
  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Gamergu-Mulgwa
  • Gavako
  • Gwoza (Waha)
  • Hausa
  • Higi (Hig)
  • Kanakuru (Dera)
  • Kanembu
  • Kanuri
  • Mandara (Wandala)
  • Margi (Marghi)
  • Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe-Ndhang)
  • Shuwa
  • Tera (Terawa)

9. Cross River State (Calabar)

  • Abayon
  • Adim
  • Adun
  • Agbo
  • Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk)
  • Anyima
  • Bachere
  • Bahumono
  • Bekwarra
  • Bette
  • Boki (Nki)
  • Efik
  • Ejagham
  • Ekajuk
  • Ekoi
  • Etung
  • Ikorn
  • Iyala (Iyalla)
  • Mbembe
  • Mbube
  • Nkim
  • Nkum
  • Ododop
  • Olulumo
  • Qua
  • Ukelle
  • Uyanga
  • Yache
  • Yakurr (Yako)

10. Delta State (Asaba)

  • Igbo
  • Isoko
  • Isekiri (Itsekiri)
  • Izondjo
  • Ukwani (Kwale)
  • Urhobo

11. Ebonyi State (Abakaliki)

  • Igbo

12. Edo State (Benin City)

  • Bini
  • Ebirra (Igbirra)
  • Ebu
  • Esan (Ishan)
  • Etsako
  • Etuno
  • Okpamheri
  • Owan
  • Uneme (Ineme)

13. Ekiti State (Ado Ekiti)

  • Yoruba

14. Enugu State (Enugu)

  • Igbo
  • Mbembe

15. Gombe State (Gombe)

  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Hausa

16. Imo State (Owerri)

  • Igbo

17. Jigawa State (Dutse)

  • Angas
  • Auyoka (Auyokawa)
  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Hausa
  • Kanuri
  • Kurama
  • Warja (Warja)

18. Kaduna State (Kaduna)

  • Attakar (ataka)
  • Ayu
  • Bassa
  • Bina (Binawa)
  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Gure
  • Gwandara
  • Gwari (Gbari)
  • Hausa
  • Jaba
  • Kafanchan
  • Kagaro
  • Kaje (Kache)
  • Kajuru (Kajurawa)
  • Kamaku (Karnukawa)
  • Kanikon
  • Kanuri
  • Katab (Kataf)
  • Kiballo (Kiwollo)
  • Koro (Kwaro)
  • Kurama
  • Mada
  • Manchok
  • Moruwa (Moro’a, Morwa)
  • Ninzam (Ninzo)
  • Nunku
  • Rishuwa
  • Rumada
  • Rumaya
  • Srubu (Surubu)
  • Uncinda

19. Kano State (Kano)

  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Hausa
  • Kanuri
  • Shira (Shirawa)
  • Teshena (Teshenawa)

20. Katsina State (Katsina)

  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Hausa

21. Kebbi State (Birnin Kebbi)

  • Achipa (Achipawa)
  • Dakarkari
  • Danda (Dandawa)
  • Duka (Dukawa)
  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Hausa
  • Kamaku (Karnukawa)
  • Kambari
  • Reshe
  • Uncinda
  • Zarma (Zarmawa)

22. Kogi State (Lokoja)

  • Bassa
  • Bunu
  • Ebirra (Igbirra)
  • Ebu
  • Gbedde
  • Igalla
  • Ijumu
  • Yoruba

23. Kwara State (Ilorin)

  • Ogori
  • Owe
  • Oworo
  • Yagba
  • Yoruba

24. Lagos State (Ikeja)

  • Awori
  • Egun (Gu)
  • Yoruba

25. Nasarawa State (Lafia)

  • Tiv

26. Niger State (Minna)

  • Baruba (Barba)
  • Bassa
  • Baushi
  • Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa)
  • Buduma
  • Dakarkari
  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Gade
  • Gurmana
  • Gwandara
  • Gwari (Gbari)
  • Hausa
  • Kamaku (Karnukawa)
  • Kambari
  • Kanuri
  • Koro (Kwaro)
  • Kurama
  • Laaru (Larawa)
  • Lopa (Lupa, Lopawa)
  • Nupe
  • Pongo (Pongu)
  • Reshe
  • Rubu
  • Uncinda
  • Ura (Ula)
  • Yumu
  • Zabara

27. Ogun State (Abeokuta)

  • Awori
  • Egun (Gu)
  • Yoruba

28. Ondo State (Akure)

  • Ebirra (Igbirra)
  • Izondjo
  • Yoruba

29. Osun State (Oshogbo)

  • Yoruba

30. Oyo State (Ibadan)

  • Yoruba

31. Plateau State (Jos)

  • Afizere
  • Afo
  • Alago (Arago)
  • Amo
  • Anaguta
  • Angas
  • Ankwei
  • Bada
  • Bashiri (Bashirawa)
  • Bassa
  • Birom
  • Bkkus
  • Buji
  • Burma (Burmawa)
  • Bwall
  • Challa
  • Chip
  • Chokobo
  • Doemak (Dumuk)
  • Eggon
  • Fyam (Fyem)
  • Fyer (Fer)
  • Qanawuri
  • Geruma (Gerumawa)
  • Goernai
  • Gusu
  • Gwandara
  • Gwari (Gbari)
  • Irigwe
  • Jere (Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa)
  • Jidda-Abu
  • Jukun
  • Kantana
  • Kanuri
  • Kenern (Koenoem)
  • Kulere (Kaler)
  • Kurama
  • Kwalla
  • Kwanka (Kwankwa)
  • Kwaro
  • Kwato
  • Limono
  • Mabo
  • Mada
  • Mama
  • Memyang (Meryan)
  • Miango
  • Miligili (Migili)
  • Mobber
  • Montol
  • Munga (Mupang)
  • Mushere
  • Mwahavul (Mwaghavul)
  • Ninzam (Ninzo)
  • Nokere (Nakere)
  • Nunku
  • Pai
  • Pyapun (Piapung)
  • Rindire (Rendre)
  • Ron
  • Rukuba
  • Shangawa (Shangau)
  • Shan-Shan
  • Sikdi
  • Sura
  • Tarok
  • Tiv
  • Yergan (Yergum)
  • Yuom
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32. Rivers State (Port Harcourt)

  • Abua (Odual)
  • Andoni
  • Degema
  • Ebana (Ebani)
  • Egbema
  • Engenni (Ngene)
  • Epie
  • Etche
  • Gokana (Kana)
  • Igbo
  • Izondjo

33. Sokoto State (Sokoto)

  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Hausa
  • Kyenga (Kengawa)
  • Shanga (Shangawa)
  • Uncinda

34. Taraba State (Jalingo)

  • Babur
  • Bakulung
  • Bali
  • Bambuko
  • Banda (Bandawa)
  • Betso (Bete)
  • Bobua
  • Chamba
  • Chukkol
  • Dangsa
  • Diba
  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Gengle
  • Gornum (Gmun)
  • Gonia
  • Gwom
  • Hausa
  • Idoma
  • Jahuna (Jahunawa)
  • Jero
  • Jonjo (Jenjo)
  • Jukun
  • Kaba (Kabawa)
  • Kadara
  • Kanuri
  • Karimjo
  • Kenton
  • Koma
  • Kona
  • Kugama
  • Kunini
  • Kuteb
  • Kutin
  • Kwanchi
  • Lama
  • Lamja
  • Lau
  • Mbum
  • Mumuye
  • Ndoro
  • Nyandang
  • Panyam
  • Pkanzom
  • Poll
  • Potopo
  • Sakbe
  • Sate
  • Shomo
  • Tarok
  • Tikar
  • Tiv
  • Vommi
  • Waka
  • Wurkun
  • Yandang
  • Yott

35. Yobe State (Damaturu)

  • Affade
  • Babur
  • Bade
  • Bole (Bolewa)
  • Buru
  • Chibok (Chibbak)
  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Hausa
  • Kanuri
  • Karekare (Karaikarai)
  • Manga (Mangawa)
  • Ngamo
  • Ngizim

36. Zamfara State (Gusau)

  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Hausa
Tribes in Nigeria
image source

How Many Tribes Do We Have In Nigeria?

There are 371 tribes in Nigeria. A majority of these tribes are located in northern Nigeria, with states like Taraba, Plateau, Yobe, Niger, Kebbi, Kaduna, Borno, Bauchi, and Adamawa having at least ten different tribes existing under each boundary. In the south, the state with the most tribes is Cross River State. Others coming close to it are Benue, Edo, and Rivers. Below is a complete list of tribes in Nigeria in alphabetical order.

  1. Abayon
  2. Abua (Odual)
  3. Achipa (Achipawa)
  4. Adim
  5. Adun
  6. Affade
  7. Afizere
  8. Afo
  9. Agbo
  10. Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk)
  11. Akweya-Yachi
  12. Alago (Arago)
  13. Amo
  14. Anaguta
  15. Anang
  16. Andoni
  17. Angas
  18. Ankwei
  19. Anyima
  20. Attakar (ataka)
  21. Auyoka (Auyokawa)
  22. Awori
  23. Ayu
  24. Babur
  25. Bachama
  26. Bachere
  27. Bada
  28. Bade
  29. Bahumono
  30. Bakulung
  31. Bali
  32. Bambora (Bambarawa)
  33. Bambuko
  34. Banda (Bandawa)
  35. Banka (Bankalawa)
  36. Banso (Panso)
  37. Bara (Barawa)
  38. Barke
  39. Baruba (Barba)
  40. Bashiri (Bashirawa)
  41. Bassa
  42. Batta
  43. Baushi
  44. Baya
  45. Bekwarra
  46. Bele (Buli, Belewa)
  47. Betso (Bete)
  48. Bette
  49. Bilei
  50. Bille
  51. Bina (Binawa)
  52. Bini
  53. Birom
  54. Bobua
  55. Boki (Nki)
  56. Bkkos
  57. Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa)
  58. Bole (Bolewa)
  59. Botler
  60. Boma (Bomawa, Burmano)
  61. Bomboro
  62. Buduma
  63. Buji
  64. Buli
  65. Bunu
  66. Bura
  67. Burak
  68. Burma (Burmawa)
  69. Buru
  70. Buta (Butawa)
  71. Bwall
  72. Bwatiye
  73. Bwazza
  74. Challa
  75. Chama (Chamawa Fitilai)
  76. Chamba
  77. Chamo
  78. Chibok (Chibbak)
  79. Chinine
  80. Chip
  81. Chokobo
  82. Chukkol
  83. Daba
  84. Dadiya
  85. Daka
  86. Dakarkari
  87. Danda (Dandawa)
  88. Dangsa
  89. Daza (Dere, Derewa)
  90. Degema
  91. Deno (Denawa)
  92. Dghwede
  93. Diba
  94. Doemak (Dumuk)
  95. Ouguri
  96. Duka (Dukawa)
  97. Duma (Dumawa)
  98. Ebana (Ebani)
  99. Ebirra (lgbirra)
  100. Ebu
  101. Efik
  102. Egbema
  103. Egede (lgedde)
  104. Eggon
  105. Egun (Gu)
  106. Ejagham
  107. Ekajuk
  108. Eket
  109. Ekoi
  110. Engenni (Ngene)
  111. Epie
  112. Esan (Ishan)
  113.  Etche
  114. Etolu (Etilo)
  115. Etsako
  116. Etung
  117. Etuno
  118. Palli
  119. Fulani (Fulbe)
  120. Fyam (Fyem)
  121. Fyer (Fer)
  122. Ga’anda
  123. Gade
  124. Galambi
  125. Gamergu-Mulgwa
  126. Qanawuri
  127. Gavako
  128. Gbedde
  129. Gengle
  130. Geji
  131. Gera (Gere, Gerawa)
  132. Geruma (Gerumawa)
  133. Geruma (Gerumawa)
  134. Gingwak
  135. Gira
  136. Gizigz
  137. Goernai
  138. Gokana (Kana)
  139. Gombi
  140. Gornun (Gmun)
  141. Gonia
  142. Gubi (Gubawa)
  143. Gude
  144. Gudu
  145.  Gure
  146. Gurmana
  147. Gururntum
  148. Gusu
  149. Gwa (Gurawa)
  150. Gwamba
  151. Gwandara
  152. Gwari (Gbari)
  153. Gwom
  154. Gwoza (Waha)
  155. Gyem
  156. Hausa
  157. Higi (Hig)
  158. Holma
  159. Hona
  160. Ibeno
  161. Ibibio
  162. Ichen
  163. Idoma
  164. Igalla
  165. lgbo
  166. ljumu
  167. Ikorn
  168. Irigwe
  169. Isoko
  170. lsekiri (Itsekiri)
  171. lyala (lyalla)
  172. lzondjo
  173. Jaba
  174. Jahuna (Jahunawa)
  175. Jaku
  176. Jara (Jaar Jarawa Jarawa-Dutse)
  177. Jere (Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa)
  178. Jero
  179. Jibu
  180. Jidda-Abu
  181. Jimbin (Jimbinawa)
  182. Jirai
  183. Jonjo (Jenjo)
  184. Jukun
  185. Kaba (Kabawa)
  186. Kadara
  187. Kafanchan
  188. Kagoro
  189. Kaje (Kache)
  190. Kajuru (Kajurawa)
  191. Kaka
  192. Kamaku (Karnukawa)
  193. Kambari
  194. Kambu
  195. Kamo
  196. Kanakuru (Dera)
  197. Kanembu
  198. Kanikon
  199. Kantana
  200. Kanuri
  201. Karekare (Karaikarai)
  202. Karimjo
  203. Kariya
  204. Katab (Kataf)
  205. Kenern (Koenoem)
  206. Kenton
  207. Kiballo (Kiwollo)
  208. Kilba
  209. Kirfi (Kirfawa)
  210. Koma
  211. Kona
  212. Koro (Kwaro)
  213. Kubi (Kubawa)
  214. Kudachano (Kudawa)
  215. Kugama
  216. Kulere (Kaler)
  217. Kunini
  218. Kurama
  219. Kurdul
  220. Kushi
  221. Kuteb
  222. Kutin
  223. Kwalla
  224. Kwami (Kwom)
  225. Kwanchi
  226. Kwanka (Kwankwa)
  227. Kwaro
  228. Kwato
  229. Kyenga (Kengawa)
  230. Laaru (Larawa)
  231. Lakka
  232. Lala
  233. Lama
  234. Lamja
  235. Lau
  236. Ubbo
  237. Limono
  238. Lopa (Lupa, Lopawa)
  239. Longuda (Lunguda)
  240. Mabo
  241. Mada
  242. Mama
  243. Mambilla
  244. Manchok
  245. Mandara (Wandala)
  246. Manga (Mangawa)
  247. Margi (Marghi)
  248. Matakarn
  249. Mbembe
  250. Mbol
  251. Mbube
  252. Mbula
  253. Mbum
  254. Memyang (Meryan)
  255. Miango
  256. Miligili (Migili)
  257. Miya (Miyawa)
  258. Mobber
  259. Montol
  260. Moruwa (Moro’a, Morwa)
  261. Muchaila
  262. Mumuye
  263. Mundang
  264. Munga (Mupang)
  265. Mushere
  266. Mwahavul (Mwaghavul)
  267. Ndoro
  268. Ngamo
  269. Ngizim
  270. Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe-Ndhang)
  271. Ningi (Ningawa)
  272. Ninzam (Ninzo)
  273. Njayi
  274. Nkim
  275. Nkum
  276. Nokere (Nakere)
  277. Nunku
  278. Nupe
  279. Nyandang
  280. Ododop
  281. Ogori
  282. Okobo (Okkobor)
  283. Okpamheri
  284. Olulumo
  285. Oron
  286. Owan
  287. Owe
  288. Oworo
  289. Pa’a (Pa’awa Afawa)
  290. Pai
  291. Panyam
  292. Pero
  293. Pire
  294. Pkanzom
  295. Poll
  296. Polchi Habe
  297. Pongo (Pongu)
  298. Potopo
  299. Pyapun (Piapung)
  300. Qua
  301. Rebina (Rebinawa)
  302. Reshe
  303. Rindire (Rendre)
  304. Rishuwa
  305. Ron
  306. Rubu
  307. Rukuba
  308. Rumada
  309. Rumaya
  310. Sakbe
  311. Sanga
  312. Sate
  313. Saya (Sayawa Za’ar)
  314. Segidi (Sigidawa)
  315. Shanga (Shangawa)
  316. Shangawa (Shangau)
  317. Shan-Shan
  318. Shira (Shirawa)
  319. Shomo
  320. Shuwa
  321. Sikdi
  322. Siri (Sirawa)
  323. Srubu (Surubu)
  324. Sukur
  325. Sura
  326. Tangale
  327. Tarok
  328. Teme
  329. Tera (Terawa)
  330. Teshena (Teshenawa)
  331. Tigon
  332. Tikar
  333. Tiv
  334. Tula
  335. Tur
  336. Ufia
  337. Ukelle
  338. Ukwani (Kwale)
  339. Uncinda
  340. Uneme (Ineme)
  341. Ura (Ula)
  342. Urhobo
  343. Utonkong
  344. Uyanga
  345. Vemgo
  346. Verre
  347. Vommi
  348. Wagga
  349. Waja
  350. Waka
  351. Warja (Warja)
  352. Warji
  353. Wula
  354. Wurbo
  355. Wurkun
  356. Yache
  357. Yagba
  358. Yakurr (Yako)
  359. Yalla
  360. Yandang
  361. Yergan (Yergum)
  362. Yoruba
  363. Yott
  364. Yumu
  365. Yungur
  366. Yuom
  367. Zabara
  368. Zaranda
  369. Zarma (Zarmawa)
  370. Zayam (Zeam)
  371. Zul (Zulawa)

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