Every tribe is unique and peculiar in its own way, but nonetheless some have been ranked as the richest and in that regard breakgist.com will be showing you the top 10 richest tribes in Nigeria and will be explaining them starting from number 10 to number 1 richest tribe in Nigeria 2024.
Top 10 Richest Tribes In Nigeria 2024
10. The Tiv Tribe
The Tiv tribe is found in Benue State, the Tiv people are known for agriculture, particularly yam cultivation, which has sustained their economy.
9. The Ibibio tribe
The Ibibio tribe can be found in Akwa Ibom State, the Ibibio tribe engages in agriculture, trade, and some oil-related activities. The are at number 9 on our list of the richest tribes in Nigeria.
8. The Efik Tribe
The Efik tribe is located in Cross River State, the Efik tribe benefits from trade, fishing, and cultural tourism, contributing to their economic stability.
7. The Urhobo Tribe
Urhobo tribe is another Niger Delta tribe, the Urhobo people engage in agriculture, fishing, and oil-related activities, enhancing their economic position as one of the richest tribe in Nigeria.
6. The Itsekiri tribe
The Itsekiri tribe is also from the Niger Delta region, the Itsekiri tribe is involved in oil and gas activities, contributing significantly to their wealth growth and maintaining their position among the richest tribes in Nigeria.
5. The Ijaw tribe
The Ijaw tribe is considered one of the oldest tribes in Nigeria located in the Niger Delta around the south southern region of the country. The Ijaw tribe also has a reasonable number of their population around Bayosa and River State with a total population of about 5 million based on the last census exercise. According to history, the Ijaw tribes happened to be one of the tribes in Nigeria who had first contact and interacted with the colonial masters due to the fact that they lived in the coastal region sharing boundaries with the large water body. As a result of the Ijaw tribe being surrounded by a large water body, they are known for fishing, oil and gas exploration, which is also one of Nigeria’s economics, mainstay and trading.
The Ijaw tribe is ranked number 5 on the list of the richest tribes in Nigeria especially because of the fact that their land is blessed with abundant oil and as such most of their indigene participating in oil and gas trading and oil exploration would generate huge income for them. Notable Nigerian celebrities who hail from the Ijaw tribes are Burna Boy, Sam Dede of NollyWood, Ebele Goodluck Jonatan and several others.
4. The Edo Tribe
The Edo tribe are majorly found in the southern part of Nigeria around Benin in Edo State and live in compact village settlements ranging in various sizes from small hamlets to several thousand people. The Edo tribe are considered the descendants of the ancient Benin Empire dating to several thousand years ago. The major crab, the Edo tribe, is known for its culture and painting and they have a population of over 4 million.
The Edos are blessed with unique natural resources which generate sustainable revenue to their kingdom when explored. Such resources include gold, crude oil, natural gas, bronze, ivory and several others. They are therefore known for involvement in trade and their strong cultural tradition. With notable and well-to-do Nigerians like Ambros Ali. The Edo tribe is number 4 on our list of the richest tribes in Nigeria 2024.
3. The Yoruba tribe
The Yorubas are one of the largest tribes in Nigeria inhabiting several southwestern states in Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togo whose origin is traced to the oil empire of the ancient Ileife kingdom with a population of over 40 million people across Africa. The Yorubas are known for arts, music and intense cultural heritage celebrations. Presently, the Yoruba tribe is known for its economic power, having several individuals occupying several notable positions across politics, business sectors and academics.
Some notable Nigerians who are from the Yoruba tribes are Maik Adenuga, Femi Otedola and the incumbent president of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Yorubas are also known to be blessed with natural resources like limestone, chalk which all generate revenue for the tribe. Yoruba tribe is the number 3 richest tribe in Nigeria 2024.
2. The Hausa Tribe
The Hausas are the most influential and populated tribe in Nigeria. The Hausas are predominantly found in the northern part of Nigeria and are known for their rich cultural tradition which includes dance and music. They are also known for doing really great in the farming sector of Nigeria’s economy with several investments and commercial business too. They are the second richest tribe in Nigeria 2024.
1. The Igbo tribe
The richest tribe in Nigeria 2024 is the Igbo tribe. The Igbo tribe is also one of the most populated tribes in Nigeria occupying several states in the eastern part of the country and a sizeable population in Delta and River states and a few which spread out to Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Cameroon. Previously, we wrote an article about the richest states in Igbo land which Anambra state came first as the richest among the states in Igbo land.
The Igbos are considered the richest tribe in Nigeria with thousands of their citizens who are very wealthy and occupying significant positions in Nigeria and even beyond. The Igbos are known for being business and trade oriented and one of the tribes with the highest number of young billionaires in Nigeria. They have the likes of Obi Cubana, Ned Nwoko, Ibeto, Innoson motors and many others.
How Richest Tribes In Nigeria Was Ranked
The richest tribes in Nigeria was ranked based on Economic activities and Cultural Prominence. Please note that these rankings may change at any time depending on the nature of development in each tribe.