Abuja Flag

Abuja

Country:
Nigeria
Continent:
Africa

Abuja's 2025 population is now estimated at 4,209,940. In 1950, the population of Abuja was 18,977. Abuja has grown by 184,200 in the last year, which represents a 4.58% annual change. These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects . These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Abuja, which typically includes Abuja's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.

4.2M
Total Population
184.2K 4.58%
Growth
Yes
Capital of Nigeria?

Abuja Population

Abuja Overview

Abuja is the capital of Nigeria. It replaced the former capital, Lagos, as the capital city in 1991, although Lagos remains the most populous city.

Abuja has a short history, as it was a planned city that was developed primarily during the 1980s. However, despite its brief history, Abuja is not just the fastest-growing city in Africa but is also one of the fastest-growing in the world.

The last census taken in 2006 put the population at 776,298. However, between 2000 and 2010, the population grew by almost 140%, with more recent estimates showing that the population now exceeds 2.4 million.

Abuja Demographics

The city of Abaja is one of the only planned cities in Africa, and judging by its massive population growth, it is one of the most successful. The city is home to multiple religious sites and centers, including the Nigerian National Mosque. Abuja is one of the wealthiest cities in Africa.

The city was planned to bring together all of the various tribes, religions and ethnic groups found throughout Nigeria. The city was designed to be a safe one, one that is united and peaceful, unlike many other Nigerian cities that experience high rates of violence.

The city’s population is hugely diverse, and groups that reside here include Afo, Gwari, Hausa, Koro, and Bassa, to name a few. The official language of the city is English, although other languages are spoken, including Ibo, Fulani, and Yoruba. Approximately half of the city’s residents are Muslim, 40% are Christian, and the remainder follow other religions.

Abuja History

As previously mentioned, the city’s history isn’t very long, as it was a planned city. Once Nigeria declared its independence, it was decided that a capital would be created that would unite the ethnicities and religions of the country. The location was selected during the 1970s.

Lagos, the capital city at the time, was also becoming extremely overcrowded. It was also decided by the government to expand the economy and move toward the inner part of the country, while taking some of the burdens off of Lagos, by making the new capital.

The city was dedicated in the 1970s and construction broke ground. However, major construction was delayed until the 1980s, and the first stages of the city were not developed until the latter part of the decade.

Today, many embassies were relocated to Abuja. The population has grown very quickly since the city’s inception, including squatter settlements and towns in and out of the city limits.

Abuja Population Growth

Abuja is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, with a population that already is climbing to 2.5 million since its development in the 1980s. During the early 2000s, the city’s population grew by almost 140%. Today, most areas of the city still see annual growth of 35%, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Because of the city’s reputation for being welcoming to all groups, no matter their ethnicity or religion, the population is only expected to continue to grow for Nigeria’s capital city.

Other Cities in Nigeria

City
2025 Pop. ↓
Growth
Lagos17,156,400
Kano4,645,320
Ibadan4,144,130
Port Harcourt3,793,780
Benin City2,044,650
Onitsha1,767,110
Uyo1,457,020
Nnewi1,361,840
Aba1,274,780
Kaduna1,259,940
Ilorin1,099,960
Warri1,076,120
Owerri1,063,680
Jos1,035,090
Umuahia990,439
Lokoja931,092
Enugu906,658
Maiduguri898,535
Zaria809,652
Akure803,062
Sokoto761,331
Bauchi723,806
Abakaliki723,065
Calabar712,904
Gombe619,995
Abeokuta607,580
Ado-Ekiti577,950
Potiskum565,496
Katsina564,796
Okene546,482
Ebute Ikorodu535,619
Minna532,497
Ondo509,723
Oyo505,697
Makurdi489,839
Saki471,650
Ikot Ekpene467,604
Birnin Kebbi445,671
Ijebu-Ode408,731
Lafia402,860
Ikeja313,196
Efon-Alaaye279,319
Ilesa277,904
Owo276,574
Iwo250,443
Jimeta248,148
Atani230,000
Gusau226,857
Mubi225,705
Ikire222,160
Shagamu214,558
Ugep200,276
Ise-Ekiti190,063
Ila Orangun179,192
Bida171,656
Awka167,738
Ijero-Ekiti167,632
Inisa164,161
Suleja162,135
Sapele161,686
Osogbo156,694
Kisi155,510
Gbongan139,485
Ejigbo138,357
Funtua136,811
Igboho136,764
Buguma135,404
Ikirun134,240
Okrika133,271
Amaigbo127,300
Gashua125,817
Modakeke119,529
Bama118,121
Ilobu118,089
Jalingo117,757
Okigwe115,499
Offa113,830
Esuk Oron112,033
Nsukka111,017
Nguru111,014
Hadejia110,753
Ijebu-Igbo109,261
Uromi108,608
Pindiga106,322
Azare105,687
Nkpor103,733
Ikere-Ekiti103,054
Lafiagi102,779
Kontagora98,754
Kuje97,367
Yola96,006
Biu95,005
Olupona95,002
Lere93,290
Wukari92,933
Igbo-Ora92,719
Emure-Ekiti90,645
Isieke89,990
Ifo88,272
Igede-Ekiti87,282
Effium86,945
Idanre86,468
Keffi85,911
Makoko85,840
Epe84,711
Gamboru84,672
Ogaminana84,373
Ihiala83,265
Ipoti82,113
Lalupon81,130
Ughelli79,986
Bende79,618
Oke Mesi79,563
Kafanchan79,522
Ikom79,103
Agulu79,021
Daura78,277
Numan77,617
Kagoro77,008
Ode75,463
Igbo-Ukwu75,224
Aramoko-Ekiti74,491
Igbara-Odo74,121
Ozubulu73,812
Aku73,742
Oyan73,622
Jega73,495
Asaba73,374
Ohafia-Ifigh73,355
Afikpo71,866
Apomu71,656
Fiditi71,461
Orita Eruwa71,027
Eha Amufu70,779
Malumfashi70,709
Kaura Namoda69,725
Enugu-Ukwu68,785
Idah68,703
Obonoma68,584
Agbor67,610
Ezza-Ohu67,414
Uga64,179
Nkwerre62,973
Auchi62,907
Ekpoma59,618
Ijebu-Jesa51,730
Kabba49,869
Ilaro46,999
Damaturu46,000
Argungu45,584
Gumel42,742
Geidam41,367
Talata Mafara39,045
Gummi38,744
Otan Ayegbaju37,783
Ogoja37,466
Katsina-Ala36,722
Itu36,358
Kumo35,712
Oke Ila35,000
Pankshin31,516
Nasarawa30,949
Kachia30,893
Dikwa29,026
Moriki28,735
Patigi28,285
Wamba27,137
Baro26,821
Okuta26,589
Birnin Kudu26,565
Badagry26,383
Ogwashi-Uku26,137
Eket25,569
Kamba25,568
Daura25,289
Takum24,822
Igbeti24,690
Zungeru24,447
Zuru24,338
Yenagoa24,335
Tegina24,037
Awgu23,175
Wudil23,066
Nafada22,920
Ibi22,757
Sofo-Birnin-Gwari22,380
Dutsen Wai22,062
Kaiama21,897
Ubiaja21,782
Otukpa21,686
Oguta21,639
Damboa21,571
Jebba21,488
Garko21,141
Mokwa21,128
Gaya20,959
Tambuwal20,932
Elele20,620
Monguno20,297
Kwale20,226
Gembu19,881
Obudu19,668
Gombi19,616
Magumeri19,363
Degema Hulk19,223
Enugu-Ezike18,989
Kari18,812
Darazo18,415
Rano17,972
Kiyawa17,704
Deba17,671
Igbor17,666
Babana17,617
Egbe17,612
Gwadabawa17,486
Beli17,467
Illela17,461
Dutse17,129
Dukku16,961
Bonny16,868
Bode Saadu16,619
Rijau16,613
Kumagunnam16,557
Lapai16,442
Burutu16,410
Gwarzo16,303
Kukawa16,077
Akwanga15,985
Billiri15,976
Iperu15,935
Gwaram15,806
Soba15,715
Marte15,707
Ibeto15,565
Bukuru15,540
Anchau15,538
Ado Odo15,442
Ganye15,178
Gwoza15,176
Ajaokuta15,144
Doma15,097
Isanlu-Itedoijowa15,087
Udi14,998
Icheu14,704
Igarra14,647
Ankpa14,630
Lere14,620
Omu-Aran14,477
Ringim14,463
Yashikera14,454
Jibia14,424
Kajuru14,389
Gassol14,326
Shani14,305
Ugbokpo14,218
Dapchi14,077
Ngala14,031
Misau13,957
Gandi13,940
Ago Are13,919
Ore13,905
Uruobo-Okija13,898
Damasak13,874
Gamawa13,549
Sauri13,445
Konduga13,400
Dindima13,356
Ikang13,305
Yelwa13,234
Langtang13,172
Kazaure13,169
Wurno13,087
Kujama12,967
Okeho12,964
Madagali12,919
Obubra12,885
Ahoada12,848
Boju12,814
Agenebode12,730
Ajasse Ipo12,718
Runka12,665
Lau12,657
Kafin Hausa12,609
Bakori12,604
Dutsin-Ma12,595
Abak12,562
Dakingari12,558
Bokkos12,538
Gorgoram12,470
Zango12,371
Dange12,369
Kaltungo12,357
Amper12,212
Miringa12,117
Zalanga12,070
Vom12,000
Obiaruku11,936
Madala11,771
Toungo11,759
Agaie11,742
Machina11,707
Mutum Biyu11,702
Kangiwa11,701
Bori11,693
Burumburum11,689
Goniri11,673
Bara11,673
Uba11,648
Anka11,641
Omoku11,625
Kafarati11,535
Bin Yauri11,501
Maru11,496
Gagarawa11,450
Gujba11,359
Opi11,237
Mallammaduri11,156
Twon-Brass11,122
Dekina11,067
Bebeji10,987
Arochukwu10,776
Takai10,748
Panyam10,715
Koton-Karfe10,709
Katagum10,602
Zaki Biam10,470
Goronyo10,460
Etinan10,318
Aliade10,292
Wawa10,200
Gabarin10,160
Gwandu10,018
Madara10,015
Maiyama10,014

Sources

  1. World Population Prospects (2024 Revision) - United Nations population estimates and projections.

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