NigeriaPolls · Interactive Tool
Compare Nigerian States
See how your state stacks up on governance, security, economy, and more. Select up to six states from all 36 Nigerian states plus the FCT and compare them side-by-side with real polling data.
Interactive Comparison
Side-by-State Analysis
Use the selector below to choose which states you want to compare. Default comparison shows Lagos, Kano, and the FCT — Nigeria's three largest population centres and economic hubs.
Choose up to 6 states or the FCT to compare across governance, security, economic, and social metrics.
State Comparison Table
Net sentiment scores across six governance dimensions. Higher is better. The best-performing state for each metric is highlighted.
| Metric | FCT Abuja | Kano | Lagos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4.0M | 15.0M | 21.0M |
| Region | North-Central | North-West | South-West |
| Literacy Rate | 88% | 62% | 92% |
| GDP | ₦6.8T | ₦6.2T | ₦41T |
| Governance Approval | +22 | +14 | +18 |
| Security Perception | +15 | -2 | +6 |
| Economic Confidence | -3 | -8 | -12 |
| Youth Hope | +18 | +4 | +9 |
| Healthcare Access | +8 | -6 | -4 |
| Education Quality | +16 | +7 | +11 |
Visual Comparison
Horizontal bar charts showing relative performance across each metric. The longest bar in each chart indicates the highest score.
Governance Approval
Security Perception
Economic Confidence
Youth Hope
Healthcare Access
Education Quality
Overall Performance Summary
How It Works
Three Simple Steps to Compare
Our state comparison tool is designed to make complex polling data accessible. No account required — just select, compare, and explore.
Select States
Choose up to six states or the FCT from our dropdown menu. Each state is tagged by geopolitical zone for easy navigation. The default selection compares Lagos, Kano, and the FCT — representing Nigeria's commercial, northern, and administrative capitals.
Choose Metrics
All six core governance dimensions are automatically displayed: Governance Approval, Security Perception, Economic Confidence, Youth Hope, Healthcare Access, and Education Quality. Each metric uses net sentiment scores derived from quarterly polling data.
See Comparison
Results appear instantly in both a sortable comparison table and horizontal bar chart visualizations. The best-performing state for each metric is highlighted with a green badge, and an overall performance summary aggregates total scores across all dimensions.
Methodology
Understanding the Data
The Nigeria State Comparison Tool aggregates data from multiple authoritative sources to produce the most comprehensive state-by-state governance benchmarking available for Nigeria. Our six core metrics are derived from quarterly omnibus surveys conducted across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with sample sizes ranging from 800 to 1,500 respondents per state depending on population.
Net Sentiment Scoring: Each metric is expressed as a net sentiment score — the percentage of respondents expressing positive sentiment minus the percentage expressing negative sentiment. A score of +20 means 20% more people approve than disapprove. A score of -10 means 10% more people disapprove than approve. This approach provides a single, intuitive number that captures directional sentiment while controlling for neutral responses.
Data Sources: Our primary polling is conducted in partnership with NOI Polls, SBM Intelligence, CDD West Africa, Yiaga Africa, and BudgIT. Demographic data comes from the National Bureau of Statistics, the National Population Commission, and state ministry publications. GDP estimates are drawn from state economic reports and NBS state-level GDP calculations. Literacy rates are based on UNESCO-Nigeria Education Indicators and NBS household survey data.
Sampling and Weighting: Surveys use stratified random sampling across urban and rural local government areas, weighted by population, gender, age, and education level to ensure representativeness. Face-to-face interviews are conducted by trained field teams in local languages, with GPS verification of interview locations and back-checking protocols to maintain data quality.
For a full explanation of our research methodology, visit our Methodology page.
Why This Matters
The Power of Comparative Governance Data
Nigeria's federal system creates natural experiments in governance. Comparing states reveals what works — and what doesn't.
Holding Leaders Accountable
When citizens can see how their state performs relative to peers, they gain leverage to demand better governance. A governor whose security score trails neighbouring states by 20 points faces electoral pressure that raw numbers alone cannot convey. Our comparison tool makes these disparities visible and shareable.
Informing Investment Decisions
Investors, development partners, and businesses use state comparison data to allocate resources efficiently. A manufacturing firm comparing Ogun and Anambra can assess not just infrastructure quality but also workforce literacy, youth optimism, and economic confidence — factors that predict operational success.
Tracking Policy Impact
State comparison data reveals which policy innovations deliver results. Anambra's security turnaround, Ebonyi's agricultural transformation, and Lagos's internally generated revenue growth all become visible through longitudinal comparison. Other states can learn from these success stories.
Supporting Electoral Choices
With the 2027 general elections approaching, voters need objective data to evaluate candidates' claims. A governor promising improved healthcare can be judged against neighbouring states with similar resources. The comparison tool cuts through campaign rhetoric with hard data.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our state comparison tool, data sources, and methodology.
How does the Nigeria State Comparison Tool work?
The tool lets you select up to six Nigerian states or the FCT from a dropdown menu. It then displays a comparison table and horizontal bar charts showing each state's performance across six governance dimensions: governance approval, security perception, economic confidence, youth hope, healthcare access, and education quality. The best-performing state for each metric is highlighted automatically with a green badge, and an overall performance summary shows aggregated scores.
What data sources does NigeriaPolls use for state comparisons?
Our state comparison data is aggregated from publicly released opinion polls conducted by NigeriaPolls and partner organizations including NOI Polls, SBM Intelligence, CDD West Africa, Yiaga Africa, and BudgIT. We also incorporate demographic data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NPC census projections, and state government publications. GDP estimates are drawn from state economic reports and NBS calculations.
How often is the state comparison data updated?
Sentiment metrics are updated quarterly following our State Omnibus Surveys, which field in March, June, September, and December. Population and literacy figures are updated annually when new NBS data becomes available. GDP estimates are revised on a rolling basis as state economic reports are published, typically twice yearly.
Which Nigerian state has the highest governance approval?
As of Q2 2026, Anambra State and the FCT Abuja tie for the highest governance approval score at +22 net sentiment. Anambra's strong performance reflects Governor Soludo's infrastructure investments and security improvements, while the FCT benefits from federal capital spending and the Wike-led urban renewal program. Lagos follows closely at +18, driven by its massive internally generated revenue and infrastructure delivery.
What is the most secure state in Nigeria?
The FCT Abuja records the highest security perception score at +15, driven by heavy federal security presence in the capital city. Among the 36 states, Ebonyi (+16) and Anambra (+18) lead in the South-East following significant security investments and community policing models. Ekiti (+14) tops the South-West. Northern states generally score lower due to persistent banditry, insurgency, and ethno-religious conflict challenges.
Can I compare more than six states at once?
The interactive tool is optimized for comparing up to six states simultaneously to maintain readability in both the comparison table and bar chart visualizations. For comprehensive rankings of all 37 administrative units, visit our NigeriaPolls State Rankings page or browse individual state hub pages where each state's full profile, including historical trends and detailed poll breakdowns, is available.
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© 2026 NigeriaPolls. All data aggregated from publicly available sources and partner polling organizations. State comparison scores represent net sentiment (positive minus negative) among surveyed respondents and should be interpreted as directional indicators rather than absolute measures.