Most Educated States in Nigeria – 4th State Will Shock You!

Education is a significant marker of a state’s development in Nigeria, and certain states consistently outperform others in national exams.

This article ranks the top five most educated states in Nigeria, based on performance in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), organized by WAEC. 

The criteria for ranking include the percentage of students who passed with five credits, including English and Mathematics.

Top 5 Most Educated States in Nigeria 

1. Rivers  

2. Edo 

3. Abia  

4. Imo 

5. Anambra 

Ranking Criteria  

The ranking is based on the average SSCE performance over the last three years. The focus is on the number of students who achieved five credits, including Mathematics and English. States with higher percentages, regardless of the number of candidates, were ranked higher.

List of States (From Most Educated States to Least Educated)

1. Rivers 

Rivers, known as the “Treasure Base of the Nation,” is the most educated state in Nigeria, with 86.64% of students achieving five credits, including Math and English. Early contact with Europeans and missionaries laid the foundation for the state’s embrace of Western education. Various free education schemes have further boosted its academic performance.

2. Edo 

“The Heartbeat of the Nation” holds the second position, with 82.91% of students passing the SSCE. Edo has consistently placed in the top five due to heavy investments in education, including infrastructure development spearheaded by the state government.

3. Abia 

Abia’s focus on education has earned it third place, with an 88.06% pass rate. Despite having fewer students compared to other states, Abia consistently performs well, combining business acumen with education to produce exceptional results.

4. Imo 

Imo State, known for its academic excellence, is ranked fourth. With an 85.30% pass rate, this South-Eastern state continues to produce brilliant students year after year.

5. Anambra 

Anambra, once ranked as Nigeria’s most educated state, is now fifth. Despite the decline, the state still boasts a pass rate of 79.84%, maintaining its reputation as one of the country’s educational powerhouses.

6. Enugu 

Enugu, the “Coal City State,” ranks 6th with an impressive pass rate of 80.07%. This has been the state’s consistent performance in recent years, marking it as a key educational hub in the South-Eastern region.

7. Lagos 

Lagos, Nigeria’s “Center of Excellence,” holds the 7th position. Despite having the highest number of students sitting for the SSCE, the state recorded a 70.70% pass rate. This result, while respectable, shows the challenges of catering to a vast student population in a mega-city like Lagos.

8. Akwa Ibom 

The “Land of Promise” comes in 8th, with 74.40% of students passing the SSCE. Akwa Ibom’s historical embrace of Western education has contributed to its steady progress in education, making it one of the top-performing states in the South-South region.

9. Ogun 

Ogun, known as the “Gateway State,” ranks 9th, with a pass rate of 67.75%. Despite being home to one of the largest student populations during the exam period, Ogun’s performance remains solid, cementing its place as a strong educational state in the South-Western region.

10. Delta 

Delta, the “Big Heart” of Nigeria, rounds out the top 10 with a 78.04% pass rate. As one of the four South-South states in the top 10, Delta has consistently maintained its educational standing over the years.

11. Benue 

Benue, the “Food Basket of the Nation,” is the first Northern state on the list, ranked 11th. With a pass rate of 74.64%, Benue’s steady focus on education has helped it climb up the rankings, showing that even agriculturally focused states prioritize academic achievement.

12. Cross River

Cross River, also known as “The People’s Paradise,” ranks 12th with a pass rate of 76.54%. The state has made tremendous strides in education, shedding its former tag as an educationally disadvantaged state.

13. Kebbi  

Known as “The Land of Equity,” Kebbi is a surprising contender, rising to the 13th position. Once considered one of the least educated states, Kebbi has made a remarkable leap forward with a 74.65% pass rate in the SSCE. This is a testament to the state’s ongoing efforts to prioritize education.

14. Nasarawa  

Nasarawa, “The Home of Solid Minerals,” ranks 14th with 71.03% of its candidates earning five credits and above, including Maths and English. With this performance, the state has shown steady improvement in education, particularly in the Northern region.

15. Kaduna  

Kaduna, Nigeria’s “Center of Learning,” ranked 15th with a pass rate of 64.28%. Once ranked 12th, the state has seen a slight decline but remains a key educational hub in the North. With the highest number of candidates (219,370), Kaduna’s challenge lies in improving quality alongside quantity.

16. Ondo  

The “Sunshine State” ranks 16th with 85,640 candidates passing out of 118,845, representing a pass rate of 72.04%. Ondo’s performance is commendable but shows a slight decline in recent years. Its history as an educationally advantaged state still holds strong.

17. Oyo  

Despite being one of the most populous states, Oyo’s educational performance is underwhelming. The “Pace Setter” State ranks 17th, with only 59.20% of its students earning five credits and above, out of a total of 256,529 candidates. The state has room for significant improvement.

18. Ebonyi  

Once ranked 10th, Ebonyi State, “Salt of the Nation,” now holds the 18th spot. Despite being classified as an educationally disadvantaged state, 53,216 out of 73,840 candidates passed, a 72.08% pass rate. The state continues to defy expectations with its steady performance.

19. Kogi  

“The Confluence State” secures the 19th position with a pass rate of 69.81%. Kogi has been slowly climbing the educational ranks, showing that it can overcome its classification as an educationally disadvantaged state.

20. Sokoto  

Sokoto, “The Seat of the Caliphate,” holds the 20th spot with a 74.65% pass rate. Though the state had fewer candidates (59,053), the performance of its students was strong, proving that progress in education is possible even with smaller cohorts.

21. Plateau  

“The Home of Peace and Tourism” ranks 21st with a pass rate of 64.01%. Plateau has been on a steady climb in educational performance over the past few years, indicating that the state’s focus on education is paying off.

22. Kano  

Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state, comes in at 22nd with a 61.98% pass rate. The state’s economic activities seem to overshadow its educational progress, but its potential for improvement remains high.

23. Niger  

The “Power State” ranks 23rd with a pass rate of 61.98%. Despite being the largest state by landmass, Niger’s educational progress has been slow, reflecting a need for more investment in education.

24. Adamawa  

“The Highest Peak of the Nation” ranks 24th, with Adamawa recording 58,000 candidates who passed with five credits in Math and English. Despite facing challenges from insurgency, Adamawa’s 59.23% pass rate is commendable.

25. Ekiti  

Ekiti, “The Fountain of Knowledge,” surprisingly ranks 25th with a pass rate of 70.71%. Known for having the highest number of professors, the state’s educational decline calls for urgent attention.

26. Taraba  

Ranking 26th, Taraba, “Nature’s Gift to the Nation,” has slid five positions from its previous ranking. Despite a 74.02% pass rate, the state’s overall performance needs improvement, especially given the high expectations from earlier rankings.

27. Abuja (FCT)  

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ranks 27th with a pass rate of 62.44%. Despite its status as the nation’s capital, the FCT’s performance in education has been lackluster, underscoring the need for better educational reforms.

28. Borno  

Borno, “The Home of Peace,” ranks 28th despite the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency. The state’s ability to maintain a pass rate of 65.35% amidst extreme adversity is remarkable, but further support is needed to uplift its educational sector.

29. Katsina  

Katsina, the “State of Hospitality,” ranks 29th. Despite receiving considerable federal support for education, the state continues to lag behind, with a pass rate of 61.52%.

30. Kwara  

Kwara, “The Place of Harmony,” ranks 30th with a pass rate of 48.84%. Despite not being classified as an educationally disadvantaged state, Kwara’s performance has been disappointing, highlighting a need for greater educational investment.

31. Bayelsa  

Bayelsa, “The Glory of All Lands,” ranks 31st with a pass rate of 60.88%. The state’s performance has dropped significantly, reflecting challenges in maintaining its earlier top-10 status.

32. Osun  

Once a strong contender, Osun, “The State of the Living Spring,” has fallen to 32nd place with a pass rate of 41.99%. The state’s decline calls for immediate educational reforms.

33. Bauchi 

Bauchi, “The Pearl of Tourism,” ranks 33rd with a pass rate of 48.60%. Despite some progress, Bauchi still has a long way to go in improving its educational sector.

34. Gombe  

Gombe, “The Jewel in the Savannah,” ranks 34th with consistent educational performance but remains one of the least educated states in Nigeria. The state’s 45.62% pass rate indicates room for improvement.

35. Jigawa  

Jigawa, “The New World,” ranks 35th and continues to struggle with educational development. Despite significant federal support, the state has remained in the lower ranks, with a pass rate of 44.70%.

36. Zamfara  

Zamfara, “The Home of Agricultural Products,” holds the 36th position with a pass rate of 42.84%. The state has consistently ranked among the least educated, showing little improvement over the years.

37. Yobe  

Yobe, “The Pride of the Sahel,” ranks last at 37th with a pass rate of 37.94%. Ongoing insurgency has severely impacted the state’s educational sector, making it the least educated state in Nigeria.

Wrapping Up

In summary, the ranking of the most educated states in Nigeria, based on the performance of students in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), highlights the significant progress in education across various regions of the country. 

This analysis serves as both an encouragement for states that are performing well and a wake-up call for those lagging behind. With continuous effort from government, educators, and communities, Nigeria’s education system can experience the much-needed advancement that will empower future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Nigeria’s rank in global education?

Nigeria has a literacy rate of 62% and is currently ranked 191st in global education.

Which state is known as the center of education in Nigeria?

Kaduna State, also called the “Center of Learning,” is known for its many educational institutions, including Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), one of Nigeria’s top universities.

Which state has the lowest literacy rate in Nigeria?

Yobe State has the lowest literacy rate in Nigeria, with only 7.23% literacy, primarily due to insecurity and lack of access to education.

Which state is the most educated in Nigeria?

Imo State is considered the most educated state in Nigeria, with a literacy rate of 92.1%, boasting high academic performance in SSCE.