Insecurity has been one of the many problems in Nigeria. However, some states in Nigeria have managed to foster and maintain some semblance of peace within their boundaries. These peaceful states are either lucky or made efforts through their local authorities.
However, this does not mean that these states do not experience some form of insecurity such as kidnapping, armed robbery, jungle justice, ethnic or communal clashes and others. It simply means these insecurity problems have been curtailed to a reasonable extent in those places.
Therefore, if you are looking for the most peaceful states to settle in Nigeria, this article presents the top 10.
Top 10 most peaceful states in Nigeria
1. Osun State
Osun State is located in South-West Nigeria. It shares boundaries with Ekiti and Ondo states in the east, Kwara State in the north, Ogun State in the south and Oyo State in the west. Founded on August 17, 1991, Oshogbo is the state’s capital and largest city.
Osun has a large population of both Christians and Muslims, who co-exist amicably. Also, the state is known for its rich cultural history, agricultural products like cocoa and other valuable mineral resources. Hence, it is one of the hottest tourist attractions in the country based on the traditional religion. Osun, one of the Orisa, in which worshippers and non-worshippers travel from all over the world to attend the annual Osun-Osogbo festival in August.
The Osun River, known to be home to the goddess of fertility, Yemoja, is considered a heritage site. There is also Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls is located in Erin-Ijesha, which features a waterfall with seven floors. Indigenes of this state are known to be warm and welcoming. In addition, the cost of living is not too high as one can have a relatively comfortable lifestyle without digging holes in one’s pocket.
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2. Enugu State
Enugu State is one of the five states in South-East Nigeria. Located at the foot of the Udi Plateau, the state derived its name from the capital, Enugu. The state was the capital of the post-independence Eastern Region until the Nigerian Civil War in which the former Eastern Region attempted to secede to become Biafra.
Over the years, Enugu has been in the middle of secession attempts, the latest of which was propagated by the Indigenous People of Biafra. However, the state has managed to maintain peace and tranquillity within its borders. There are few cases of terrorism and gang wars. This also includes the unknown gunmen who have been terrorising the people in the South-East region in the name of enforcing the sit-at-home order.
As a result, Enugu, which is primarily known as the administrative seat of power in the South-East, has witnessed a rising and stable economy over the years.
3. Kebbi State
Kebbi is a state in North-West Nigeria. The capital is Benin Kebbi, which is also the largest city in the state. Kebbi is one of the northern states that have reportedly not been touched by banditry, terrorism and kidnapping, vices that have burdened the north. Kebbi is so peaceful that one hardly hears about political, ethnic, religious or herdsmen-farmer conflict in the state.
On the other hand, Kebbi has an extremely hot weather. But that is likely the only thing you worry about since the state is so peaceful.
4. Abia State
Abia may be the home state of IPOB’s leader, but it has maintained peace and tranquillity within its borders. Abia State is an oil-producing state from the South-East. The capital city is Umahia but Aba is the largest city and the hub of commerce, not just in the state, but the entire South-East and beyond.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Abia State, Mustapha Mohammed Bala, Abia is among the most peaceful states in the country.
“I am happy that since I came in as the Commissioner of Police, Abia has not witnessed any student crisis. Thank God that Abia is among the most peaceful in the country,” he said to newsmen in Umuahia on May 24, 2023.
5. Ekiti State
Ekiti is another South-Western state on the list. Its capital and largest city is Ado Ekiti. Ekiti is not known for violence or any vices. Instead, the state is known to be the home of some of the most educated population in the country. Apart from that, agriculture is the backbone of the economy, with cash crops like cocoa, oil palm, kola nut, plantain, bananas, cashews, wood, rice, yam, cassava, maize and beans part of the state’s product. Mineral resources include cassiterite, columbite, clay, bauxite, and feldspar.
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6. Akwa Ibom State
Akwa Ibom is the first South-South state on the list. It is not just one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, it is also one of the most beautiful and the cleanest. A hub of tourism and great food, Akwa Ibom is a place to visit and stay. Its capital, Uyo, is known for its clean environment, tourism and great cuisines. The inhabitants are friendly, making visitors feel relaxed.
Akwa Ibom is what many Nigerians would call an ” enjoyment state”, which is probably why it is rare to get news of any form of violence happening there.
7. Sokoto State
Located in the extreme corners of the North-West, Sokoto State may have witnessed cases of religious violence from time to time – the recent being Deborah Samuel’s lynching – but the state is generally known to be peaceful. It is also the seat of the caliphate.
Instead, Sokoto boasts of Islamic scholars who claim to be some of the greatest assets of the state.
8. Ebonyi State
For years, Ebonyi State has witnessed some of the most violent communal clashes in Nigeria. These days, cases seem to have been reduced drastically. Located in the South-East, Ebonyi has some of the lowest records of kidnapping, suicide bombing, rape, cultism, armed robbery and other vices. Besides the state is going through some developmental progress, particularly in the capital city, Abakaliki.
9. Kwara State
Kwara is located in the North-Central region. Its capital, which is also the largest city is Illorin. Kwara has an extremely low crime rate, with the Yoruba making up the majority of the population.
10. Kogi State
The confluence state is home to the Igalas, Ebiras and Okuns, which make up the main tribes in the state. Despite the ethnic diversity, Kogi is generally peaceful. Its capital city, Lokoja is also the largest city. In addition, Kogi is famous for its productivity in business and agriculture, cultural diversity, hospitable citizens and beautiful landmarks.
Historically, Nigeria was named by Florence Shaw, Lord Lugard’s girlfriend, when she was gazing out at the river Niger in Lokoja, which was the administrative capital of the British colony at the time.
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