Lifestyle

10 Most Educated Tribes In Nigeria – See Who Tops The List

Published

1 year ago

June 16, 2025

10 Most Educated Tribes In Nigeria – See Who Tops The List

There are over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria and they have their unique culture, values, and relationship with education.

Some tribes value education, and some others don’t, and this inequality exists particularly between the southern and northern parts of the country. Despite decades of national investment in education, Nigeria’s literacy and education levels are still quite low and don’t even rank among countries with the highest IQs globally.

In 2022, Nigeria’s national literacy rate reached 69%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), a modest improvement since 2007. But this progress hides vast regional and tribal disparities. While states like Imo and Lagos boast literacy levels as high as 96%, states like Yobe and Zamfara still struggle far below the national average.

Southern tribes consistently lead, while many northern communities continue to face educational barriers. Here’s the top 10 most educated tribes, ranked by youth literacy (ages 15–24) and tertiary education rates:

Top 10 Most Educated Tribes in Nigeria

1. Igbo
The youth literacy is 74.2% for males and 73.1% for females, and these figures rank top for both genders among all tribes. The Igbo tribe in Nigeria is renowned for its business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. However, they are also highly educated and have made significant contributions to the country’s educational landscape. They have a strong emphasis on education and believe in the power of knowledge to empower their community.

2. Edo
The youth literacy for males in Edo is 74.2% and 59.56% for females. The Edo tribe, known for their rich civilisation and high migration rates, is also recognised for their commitment to education. They place a strong emphasis on the value of knowledge and learning, making them one of the most educated tribes in Nigeria. Education among the Edo tribe goes beyond academic achievements. It is also intertwined with the preservation and promotion of their rich cultural heritage.

3. Yoruba
The youth literacy for Yoruba males is 70.3% and 56.8% for the females. The Yoruba tribe in Nigeria is widely recognised as one of the most educated tribes in the country. They have a long history of embracing Western education, and as a result, have achieved remarkable educational milestones. The Yoruba tribe has a significant number of professors within their community, and these individuals serve as inspiring role models to the younger generations.

4. Tiv
The youth literacy for Tiv males is 68.4% and 37.4% for females. There is a huge disparity in education between the genders. Tiv isa major ethnic group in Nigeria, primarily residing in Benue State and neighbouring regions. Historically, they relied on oral tradition and practical activities for knowledge transmission, with women often having less access to formal Western education. While Western education has opened up opportunities for Tiv women, these challenges remain.

5. Ijaw
The youth literacy for Ijaw males is 63.3% and 47.7% for females. The Ijaw tribe, prominent in the Niger Delta region, is not only politically influential but also highly educated. With a strong emphasis on education, the Ijaw people have produced a significant number of educated individuals who play significant roles in society.

6. Hausa
The youth literacy for Hausa men is 63.3% and 47.7% for women. Northern states have historically lagged due to limited colonial-era schooling in the North. Recent improvements only began through adult and rural literacy initiatives. This tribe is known for its political dominance, and despite their cultural and population challenges, those who pursue education within the Hausa tribe have proven their intellectual capabilities.

7. Ibibio
The youth literacy for males in Ibibio is 57.7% and for females, 62.2%. The Ibibio people are found in the South-South region of Nigeria in Akwa Ibom State, Cross River State, and Eastern Abia State (Arochukwu and Ukwa East LGAs). This tribe benefited from community and government literacy programs, which have shown strong improvements in literacy across both genders over the years.

8. Other Ethnicities
Other ethnicities like Urhobo / Itsekiri / Isoko / Calabar, and many others, fall under this category. For example, Urhobo (Delta), Itsekiri (Western Niger Delta), Isoko, and Calabar/Efik communities have historical ties to early education via missionaries/trade.

9. Kanuri
The youth literacy for Kanuri males is 42% and 22.7% for females. The Kanuri people, primarily located in northeastern Nigeria, have a complex relationship with education, influenced by their cultural values and the introduction of modern schooling. While education is valued, some Kanuri communities have experienced a disconnect between traditional Kanuri culture and the formal school curriculum, leading to resistance to modern education in certain areas.

10. Fulani
The youth literacy for Fulani men is 26.2% and 13.8% for females. This tribe is traditionally nomadic, which makes formal education access more difficult.

Education Trends (2000 – 2024)
2000–2004: The Igbo and Yoruba led in literacy, while the Hausa and Fulani lagged. Nigeria’s literacy rate in 2003 was 54.77%.

2005–2009: The literacy rate rose to 70.20%. The rate of increase for the Edo and Tiv peoples was impressive, while that of the Fulani and Kanuri still lagged far behind.

2010–2014: Nigeria’s literacy rate in 2010 was 68.11%. Igbo and Yoruba continued to lead, while Edo and Tiv showed improvements with targeted programmes, but Fulani and Kanuri remained disadvantaged.

2015–2019: By 2018, the Fulanis saw gains of about 35%, aided by government programmes directed at nomadic and rural populations.

2020–2024: Nigeria’s literacy rate was 77.62% in 2021 but declined to 59.57% by 2024. The Igbo and Yoruba remained at the top, while the Fulani and Kanuri improved.

In conclusion, Igbo, Edo, and Yoruba top Nigeria’s educational rankings.

Pulse.ng

Lifestyle

Public Holiday Notice: FG to Declare Work-Free Day in Third Quarter of 2026

Published

2 days ago

July 12, 2026

The Daily Voice

Breaks are the perfect time to have quality time with one’s loved ones and knowing holiday time ahead is crucial for planning holidays, family visits, and experiencing exciting activities.

Holidays, both religious and secular, are declared for a variety of reasons, including celebrating shared history and values, fostering community connections, and providing work-life balance by taking a day off from work.

Many holidays also commemorate important people or historic events. To this end, Legit has noted the forthcoming public holiday, assisting readers in planning effectively.

In Nigeria, there is only one public holiday in the third quarter (July 1 – September 30) of 2026: Eid ul-Mawlid. Eid ul-Mawlid 2026 may be observed on Wednesday, August 26 (tentative date).

Full List of Public Holidays Federal Govt of Nigeria Will Declare in 2026

Lifestyle

Rampaging soldier pinned me to bathroom door, assaulted me — UNIOSUN female student

Published

2 weeks ago

July 1, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

A student of Osun State University, identified simply as Ademola, has narrated how she was assaulted after some some soldiers from the Army Depot, Osogbo invaded the halls of residence of students of the university.

Ademola, in a video shared by OsunDefenderNG, said the incident occurred while she was alone in her room preparing a meal.

According to her, she initially noticed the presence of soldiers around the area, but believed the situation had calmed down before the officers allegedly returned.

Recall that on Monday evening, some soldiers from the Army Depot, Osogbo, invaded halls of residence occupied by students of Osun State University, assaulted several students and carted away more than 60 mobile phones and other electronic gadgets.

Some female students were also reportedly stripped naked and forced to dance unclad by the soldiers, who were said to be among personnel that participated in the Army Depot’s passing-out parade held last Saturday.

Recounting the incident, she said, “My name is Ademola…, a student of Osun State University. I was in my hostel room cooking when I noticed they (soldiers) were around. After a while everything died down. However, later, we started hearing noise again.

“They started pointing their touch to my room and asked who was there and what were they doing this for. The next thing, they asked me to open my door and I opened the door.

“So, one of them asked how many of us was inside the room and I told him two. I also told him my roommate wasn’t around.”

While her emotions betrayed her, Ademola alleged that one of the soldiers then became physically aggressive.

“Then, he pinned me to my bathroom door, told me I would like it. He also told me not to shout. So, I begged him.

“I had to look for a way to get out of his hold and moved to the door. On moving to the door, I told him to move out. He asked if I wanted him to move out,” she added.

She further alleged that another soldier entered the room and attempted to restrain her.

She narrated, “While on that, his colleague came in and also told me to calm down, that I would love it and that I shouldn’t shout.

Lifestyle

BREAKING: Ogun Loses An Icon, Dr Olusegun Osoba

Published

2 months ago

May 15, 2026

The Daily Voice

Dr Olusegun Osoba Dies

Osoba, who hailed from Ijebu Ode in Ogun State, died peacefully at his residence in the early hours of Thursday, May 14, 2026.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued by The Yusufu Bala Usman Institute in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The statement, signed by the Director of the institute, Norma Perchonock, read: “With heavy hearts but with gratitude for a life lived in the service of scholarship and humanity, the Yusufu Bala Usman Institute announces the death of our Chairman, Dr. Olusegun Osoba, who passed away peacefully today, 14th May 2026, at his residence in Ijebu Ode.

“He was 92 years old. Dr. Osoba was a rare scholar whose whole life was dedicated to teaching and research that was designed to educate his students, colleagues and the general public about the nature of the capitalist system and the structures of neo-colonialism that dominates the Nigerian state, and to propose ways of liberating the country from this odious system in order that its citizens may live their lives free from exploitation and oppression.

“His work in economic history was groundbreaking in many ways as he sought to expose the actual workings of the economic system that was holding back development in the country.

“His writings were wide ranging, from scholarly books and papers to articles and columns in newspapers that reached a wide audience. One of his major achievements was to author, together with his close comrade Yusufu Bala Usman, The Minority Report and Draft Constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1976.

“This document has had a profound impact on the various debates and discussions about the way forward for Nigeria.

“Segun is gone but he has left an enduring legacy and a shining example for patriotic Nigerians to emulate. Funeral arrangements will be as announced by the family.”