Population in largest city in Nigeria
Nigeria: Population in largest city was 17.16 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population in largest city in Nigeria, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
In 2025, population in largest city in Nigeria stood at 17.16 million. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
That represents a change of up 3.8% on the previous year and up 40.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in Nigeria peaked at 17.16 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 762,418, in 1960.
That places Nigeria 11th out of 153 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1.08 million | 762,418 | 1.35 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.86 million | 1.41 million | 2.42 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.45 million | 2.57 million | 4.48 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.88 million | 4.76 million | 7.00 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 8.69 million | 7.28 million | 10.11 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 12.10 million | 10.44 million | 13.90 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 15.71 million | 14.37 million | 17.16 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
- 8 United States 19.15 million compare
- 9 Pakistan 18.08 million compare
- 10 Democratic Republic of Congo 17.78 million compare
- 12 Turkey 16.24 million compare
- 13 Argentina 15.75 million compare
- 14 Philippines 15.23 million compare
More urban development data for Nigeria
- Population in the largest city 11.3% (2025)
- Population density 250.21 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 65.74 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 41.75 million (2025)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO guidel 100.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in Nigeria?
- Population in largest city in Nigeria was 17.16 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 17.16 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 762,418 in 1960.
- How does Nigeria rank for population in largest city?
- Nigeria ranks 11th out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 40.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.