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)

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)

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)

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)

12. Edo State (Benin City)

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

13. Ekiti State (Ado Ekiti)

14. Enugu State (Enugu)

  • Igbo
  • Mbembe

15. Gombe State (Gombe)

  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Hausa

16. Imo State (Owerri)

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)

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)

30. Oyo State (Ibadan)

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

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

How Many Tribes Are 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.

  • Abayon
  • Abua (Odual)
  • Achipa (Achipawa)
  • Adim
  • Adun
  • Affade
  • Afizere
  • Afo
  • Agbo
  • Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk)
  • Akweya-Yachi
  • Alago (Arago)
  • Amo
  • Anaguta
  • Anang
  • Andoni
  • Angas
  • Ankwei
  • Anyima
  • Attakar (ataka)
  • Auyoka (Auyokawa)
  • Awori
  • Ayu
  • Babur
  • Bachama
  • Bachere
  • Bada
  • Bade
  • Bahumono
  • Bakulung
  • Bali
  • Bambora (Bambarawa)
  • Bambuko
  • Banda (Bandawa)
  • Banka (Bankalawa)
  • Banso (Panso)
  • Bara (Barawa)
  • Barke
  • Baruba (Barba)
  • Bashiri (Bashirawa)
  • Bassa
  • Batta
  • Baushi
  • Baya
  • Bekwarra
  • Bele (Buli, Belewa)
  • Betso (Bete)
  • Bette
  • Bilei
  • Bille
  • Bina (Binawa)
  • Bini
  • Birom
  • Bobua
  • Boki (Nki)
  • Bkkos
  • Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa)
  • Bole (Bolewa)
  • Botler
  • Boma (Bomawa, Burmano)
  • Bomboro
  • Buduma
  • Buji
  • Buli
  • Bunu
  • Bura
  • Burak
  • Burma (Burmawa)
  • Buru
  • Buta (Butawa)
  • Bwall
  • Bwatiye
  • Bwazza
  • Challa
  • Chama (Chamawa Fitilai)
  • Chamba
  • Chamo
  • Chibok (Chibbak)
  • Chinine
  • Chip
  • Chokobo
  • Chukkol
  • Daba
  • Dadiya
  • Daka
  • Dakarkari
  • Danda (Dandawa)
  • Dangsa
  • Daza (Dere, Derewa)
  • Degema
  • Deno (Denawa)
  • Dghwede
  • Diba
  • Doemak (Dumuk)
  • Ouguri
  • Duka (Dukawa)
  • Duma (Dumawa)
  • Ebana (Ebani)
  • Ebirra (lgbirra)
  • Ebu
  • Efik
  • Egbema
  • Egede (lgedde)
  • Eggon
  • Egun (Gu)
  • Ejagham
  • Ekajuk
  • Eket
  • Ekoi
  • Engenni (Ngene)
  • Epie
  • Esan (Ishan)
  •  Etche
  • Etolu (Etilo)
  • Etsako
  • Etung
  • Etuno
  • Palli
  • Fulani (Fulbe)
  • Fyam (Fyem)
  • Fyer (Fer)
  • Ga’anda
  • Gade
  • Galambi
  • Gamergu-Mulgwa
  • Qanawuri
  • Gavako
  • Gbedde
  • Gengle
  • Geji
  • Gera (Gere, Gerawa)
  • Geruma (Gerumawa)
  • Geruma (Gerumawa)
  • Gingwak
  • Gira
  • Gizigz
  • Goernai
  • Gokana (Kana)
  • Gombi
  • Gornun (Gmun)
  • Gonia
  • Gubi (Gubawa)
  • Gude
  • Gudu
  •  Gure
  • Gurmana
  • Gururntum
  • Gusu
  • Gwa (Gurawa)
  • Gwamba
  • Gwandara
  • Gwari (Gbari)
  • Gwom
  • Gwoza (Waha)
  • Gyem
  • Hausa
  • Higi (Hig)
  • Holma
  • Hona
  • Ibeno
  • Ibibio
  • Ichen
  • Idoma
  • Igalla
  • lgbo
  • ljumu
  • Ikorn
  • Irigwe
  • Isoko
  • lsekiri (Itsekiri)
  • lyala (lyalla)
  • lzondjo
  • Jaba
  • Jahuna (Jahunawa)
  • Jaku
  • Jara (Jaar Jarawa Jarawa-Dutse)
  • Jere (Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa)
  • Jero
  • Jibu
  • Jidda-Abu
  • Jimbin (Jimbinawa)
  • Jirai
  • Jonjo (Jenjo)
  • Jukun
  • Kaba (Kabawa)
  • Kadara
  • Kafanchan
  • Kagoro
  • Kaje (Kache)
  • Kajuru (Kajurawa)
  • Kaka
  • Kamaku (Karnukawa)
  • Kambari
  • Kambu
  • Kamo
  • Kanakuru (Dera)
  • Kanembu
  • Kanikon
  • Kantana
  • Kanuri
  • Karekare (Karaikarai)
  • Karimjo
  • Kariya
  • Katab (Kataf)
  • Kenern (Koenoem)
  • Kenton
  • Kiballo (Kiwollo)
  • Kilba
  • Kirfi (Kirfawa)
  • Koma
  • Kona
  • Koro (Kwaro)
  • Kubi (Kubawa)
  • Kudachano (Kudawa)
  • Kugama
  • Kulere (Kaler)
  • Kunini
  • Kurama
  • Kurdul
  • Kushi
  • Kuteb
  • Kutin
  • Kwalla
  • Kwami (Kwom)
  • Kwanchi
  • Kwanka (Kwankwa)
  • Kwaro
  • Kwato
  • Kyenga (Kengawa)
  • Laaru (Larawa)
  • Lakka
  • Lala
  • Lama
  • Lamja
  • Lau
  • Ubbo
  • Limono
  • Lopa (Lupa, Lopawa)
  • Longuda (Lunguda)
  • Mabo
  • Mada
  • Mama
  • Mambilla
  • Manchok
  • Mandara (Wandala)
  • Manga (Mangawa)
  • Margi (Marghi)
  • Matakarn
  • Mbembe
  • Mbol
  • Mbube
  • Mbula
  • Mbum
  • Memyang (Meryan)
  • Miango
  • Miligili (Migili)
  • Miya (Miyawa)
  • Mobber
  • Montol
  • Moruwa (Moro’a, Morwa)
  • Muchaila
  • Mumuye
  • Mundang
  • Munga (Mupang)
  • Mushere
  • Mwahavul (Mwaghavul)
  • Ndoro
  • Ngamo
  • Ngizim
  • Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe-Ndhang)
  • Ningi (Ningawa)
  • Ninzam (Ninzo)
  • Njayi
  • Nkim
  • Nkum
  • Nokere (Nakere)
  • Nunku
  • Nupe
  • Nyandang
  • Ododop
  • Ogori
  • Okobo (Okkobor)
  • Okpamheri
  • Olulumo
  • Oron
  • Owan
  • Owe
  • Oworo
  • Pa’a (Pa’awa Afawa)
  • Pai
  • Panyam
  • Pero
  • Pire
  • Pkanzom
  • Poll
  • Polchi Habe
  • Pongo (Pongu)
  • Potopo
  • Pyapun (Piapung)
  • Qua
  • Rebina (Rebinawa)
  • Reshe
  • Rindire (Rendre)
  • Rishuwa
  • Ron
  • Rubu
  • Rukuba
  • Rumada
  • Rumaya
  • Sakbe
  • Sanga
  • Sate
  • Saya (Sayawa Za’ar)
  • Segidi (Sigidawa)
  • Shanga (Shangawa)
  • Shangawa (Shangau)
  • Shan-Shan
  • Shira (Shirawa)
  • Shomo
  • Shuwa
  • Sikdi
  • Siri (Sirawa)
  • Srubu (Surubu)
  • Sukur
  • Sura
  • Tangale
  • Tarok
  • Teme
  • Tera (Terawa)
  • Teshena (Teshenawa)
  • Tigon
  • Tikar
  • Tiv
  • Tula
  • Tur
  • Ufia
  • Ukelle
  • Ukwani (Kwale)
  • Uncinda
  • Uneme (Ineme)
  • Ura (Ula)
  • Urhobo
  • Utonkong
  • Uyanga
  • Vemgo
  • Verre
  • Vommi
  • Wagga
  • Waja
  • Waka
  • Warja (Warja)
  • Warji
  • Wula
  • Wurbo
  • Wurkun
  • Yache
  • Yagba
  • Yakurr (Yako)
  • Yalla
  • Yandang
  • Yergan (Yergum)
  • Yoruba
  • Yott
  • Yumu
  • Yungur
  • Yuom
  • Zabara
  • Zaranda
  • Zarma (Zarmawa)
  • Zayam (Zeam)
  • Zul (Zulawa)
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