State capitals receive most of the attention in Nigeria.

But some non-capital cities are also holding their ground strongly, giving most of these capitals a run for their money. Come along as I unveil the top 5 most developed non-capital cities in Nigeria. Vetting criteria is based on:

- Quality of residential housing

- Access to world-class pre-tertiary schools

- Large scale commercial activities

- Good roads.

1. Lagos

Lagos city undoubtedly tops the list. It checks all the marks, and also scoring highest in each. The city is also home to Nigerian richest population. As a former FCT and British colony, making this list isn't surprising.

Cities in Lagos State alone will occupy the whole list. But to give other cities outside Lagos state a chance, we will stick to only Lagos. For instance, Surulere, a non-capital city in Lagos, beats at least two other cities that made this list.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZpKPC1bk00

2. Onitsha

Onitsha comes easy second to Lagos. It's the most built-up urban centre in Nigeria after Lagos and home to the largest market in Nigeria, and some of the best schools in the country. Quality of housing is top-notch, but the city can benefit from improving its sanitary infrastructure.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvQK6oRLGfE&pp=ygUWYWVyaWFsIHZpZXcgb2Ygb25pdHNoYQ%3D%3D

3. Zaria

The only ancient and historic town that made this list. Zaria is a city that is surrounded by hills, giving it a breathtaking look. This city houses several military formations, making it a heavily fortified town. Besides Lagos, I don't think any other city in this list can rival Zaria in quality of roads. It also offers large scale commercial activities and access to world-class schools.

It's actually my favorite in this list.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBMYGbRDsAM&pp=ygUUYWVyaWFsIHZpZXcgb2YgemFyaWE%3D

4. Aba

Aba didn't make this list by mistake. The quality of housing in this city is over the roof, only behind Lagos and Onitsha. It also the only city in this list that's almost at the verge of achieving 24/7 power supply. Large scale commercial activities are also present. However, the city can do better with its bad roads, which is the worst for cities in this list.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWX-cruI6fU&pp=ygUSYWVyaWFsIHZpZXcgb2YgYWJh

5. Warri

I am split between choosing Nnewi or Warri, both of who deserves the spot. Despite being home to the highest number of billionaires per capita, record number of indigenous companies and large scale economic activities, I still believe that Warri beats Nnewi. The city offers access to more quality roads and pre-tertiary institutions. It's also the only city in this list with a functional airport, though, Lagos is on the verge of getting one.

However, Warri should work on its security.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWX5DA01UaM&pp=ygUUYWVyaWFsIHZpZXcgb2Ygd2Fycmk%3D

Worthy Mentions

Though they didn't make the list, we cant just ignore them. These are cities, towns, and villages you should look out for.

Nnewi

Nnewi tops my worthy mentions. It missed the main list by a whisker.

Ikot Ikpene
You won't want to leave after visiting this town. Akwa Ibom government finished work here. It's a place to be.

Bonny Island
it won't be fair to conclude this list without mentioning Bonny. It's not actually a city, but still made my worthy mention.

Agbara
I actually considered this town for the main list due to its industrialisation. But the quality of road and housing costs it a place in the main list. They could do better.

Abiriba

Abiriba is neither a city nor town, but a village in Abia. But when you visit, you'll understand why it made this worthy mention. It's the most beautiful village in Nigeria and I think that's enough to earn it a place here.

Onitsha
Aba
Warri
Zaria
Nsukka

XerXers:
Onitsha
Aba
Warri
Zaria
Nsukka

All the places you mentioned are really developed in terms of commercial activities but the list is concentrated and not spread.

For instance, almost every town outside Ikeja in Lagos has high commercial activities, massive buildings and is densely populated.

I can mention 5 towns in Lagos alone that are not in Ikeja. For a fair list, you pick the best in each Geo-political zone.

N3TRAL:


All the places you mentioned are really developed in terms of commercial activities but the list is concentrated and not spread.

For instance, almost every town outside Ikeja in Lagos has high commercial activities, massive buildings and is densely populated.

I can mention 5 towns in Lagos alone that are not in Ikeja. For a fair list, you pick the best in each Geo-political zone.

What do IPOBidients know apart from their landlocked republic 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

N3TRAL:


All the places you mentioned are really developed in terms of commercial activities but the list is concentrated and not spread.

For instance, almost every town outside Ikeja in Lagos has high commercial activities, massive buildings and is densely populated.

I can mention 5 towns in Lagos alone that are not in Ikeja. For a fair list, you pick the best in each Geo-political zone.

Forget Lagos. It's a one city state. Everywhere has fused together into one city

XerXers:
Onitsha
Aba
Warri
Zaria
Nsukka

Which Nsukka? Make UNN close for holiday and go back to confirm.

Op is right ....

What is the size of Onitsha?
Peope just open their months to talk nonsense

How is Onitsha a city?g

Land .mass? Population?
How many higher institutions?
Hospitals?
Stadia?
Airports?

Gajagojo:
What is the size of Onitsha?
Peope just open their months to talk nonsense

How is Onitsha a city?g

Land .mass? Population?
How many higher institutions?
Hospitals?
Stadia?
Airports?

Onitsha is village.

Happy now, right?

Most you have a higher institution, Stadia, and Airport to qualify as a city?

Putting Zaria ahead of Aba shows you're not well informed. Aba is far ahead of Zaria in every damn thing!

KingKO22:

What do IPOBidients know apart from their landlocked republic 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

You should be ashamed that no single urban center in the South West is worthy to be called a city. What you have are all glorified slums with rusted derelict houses.

N3TRAL:


All the places you mentioned are really developed in terms of commercial activities but the list is concentrated and not spread.

For instance, almost every town outside Ikeja in Lagos has high commercial activities, massive buildings and is densely populated.

I can mention 5 towns in Lagos alone that are not in Ikeja. For a fair list, you pick the best in each Geo-political zone.

lagos is a city-state. Even when it was fct, it was made up of surulere, yaba, oyingbo, apapa, lagos island, VI and ikoyi. So why mentioning surulere as a city as if it is not part of lagos city? U think it is only lagos island that is called lagos?
Ikeja is now fully part of lagos city. So u can't call lagos a non-capital city at all.

SOSinNigeria:


You should be ashamed that no single urban center in the South West is worthy to be called a city. What you have are all glorified slums with rusted derelict houses.

the only city in south west is ibadan. Only ibadan - the rest are towns and villages

SOSinNigeria:
Putting Zaria ahead of Aba shows you're not well informed. Aba is far ahead of Zaria in every damn thing!

nnewi is even far more developed than zaria

U are not serious...non of those cities aside lag can stand ogbomosho, ikare, sagamu, Akugba, Agbara, ota, sango, mowe e.t.c

SOSinNigeria:
Putting Zaria ahead of Aba shows you're not well informed. Aba is far ahead of Zaria in every damn thing!

I wanted to mention that the only reason Aba sits below Zaria is because of her bad roads. I decided against it.

Aba is ahead of Zaria, no doubt.

But quality of roads in Zaira is legendary. But Aba beats Zaria is road network and interconnectivity.

thatigboman:
nnewi is even far more developed than zaria

I don't think so.

Please take out time and visit our Zaria. You can't come and not like the city.

Nnewi is developed, but Zaria is on a higher level

Obagreatdatoye:
U are not serious...non of those cities aside lag can stand ogbomosho, ikare, sagamu, Akugba, Agbara, ota, sango, mowe e.t.c

I actually considered Agbara for the list, but it couldn't displace anyone there.

Those 5 cities are FAR ahead of what you mentioned. Even Malumfashi and Funtua will give them bloody nose.

FACT

IamAtikulate:

I wanted to mention that the only reason Aba sits below Zaria is because of her bad roads. I decided against it.

Aba is ahead of Zaria, no doubt.

But quality of roads in Zaira is legendary. But Aba beats Zaria is road network and interconnectivity.

There is something we don't take into consideration. Aba has more tarred roads than Zaria. There are hundreds of tarred roads and inner streets in Aba, unlike Zaria. Most Northern cities have linear city development. They will have a couple of long tarred roads cutting through their city center while inner roads and streets are often dusty and untarred. Bring an aerial view of Zaria and compare with an aerial view of Aba to understand what I'm saying.

Modified***

Below is Queen Elizabeth road, GRA Zaria. Most aerial pictures of Zaria are about ABU Zaria. Others are dusty with just one long road.

Obagreatdatoye:
U are not serious...non of those cities aside lag can stand ogbomosho, ikare, sagamu, Akugba, Agbara, ota, sango, mowe e.t.c

They're talking about cities this one is listing villages in his slum region. Primitive man

Beer palour conclusion.🥴

XerXers:

Forget Lagos. It's a one city state. Everywhere has fused together into one city

never every vity to Thier boundry

SOSinNigeria:


There is something we don't take into consideration. Aba has more tarred roads than Zaria. There are hundreds of tarred roads and inner streets in Aba, unlike Zaria. Most Northern cities have linear city development. They will have a couple of long tarred roads cutting through their city center while inner roads and streets are often dusty and untarred. Bring an aerial view of Zaria and compare with an aerial view of Aba to understand what I'm saying.

I know Zaria in and out.

I also know Aba in and out. But in terms of road quality. There is no debate. Zaria is a clear winner.

Zaria to Kaduna

Zaria to Funtua

Zaria to Kano

... are kind of roads Aba will only dream of.

Also, Zaria inner road is the same.

Name one place in Zaria with roads worst than Port Harcourt road, Uratta road, and Omuma road in Aba. The city is just enjoying breath of fresh air due to Otti.

IamAtikulate:

I don't think so.

Please take out time and visit our Zaria. You can't come and not like the city.

Nnewi is developed, but Zaria is on a higher level

I have been to Zaria several times

IamAtikulate:
1. Lagos

Lagos city undoubtedly tops the list. It checks all the marks, and also scoring highest in each. The city is also home to Nigerian richest population. As a former FCT and British colony, making this list isn't surprising.

Cities in Lagos State alone will occupy the whole list. But to give other cities outside Lagos state a chance, we will stick to only Lagos. For instance, Surulere, a non-capital city in Lagos, beats at least two other cities that made this list.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZpKPC1bk00

2. Onitsha

Onitsha comes easy second to Lagos. It's the most built-up urban centre in Nigeria after Lagos and home to the largest market in Nigeria, and some of the best schools in the country. Quality of housing is top-notch, but the city can benefit from improving its sanitary infrastructure.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvQK6oRLGfE&pp=ygUWYWVyaWFsIHZpZXcgb2Ygb25pdHNoYQ%3D%3D

3. Zaria

The only ancient and historic town that made this list. Zaria is a city that is surrounded by hills, giving it a breathtaking look. This city houses several military formations, making it a heavily fortified town. Besides Lagos, I don't think any other city in this list can rival Zaria in quality of roads. It also offers large scale commercial activities and access to world-class schools.

It's actually my favorite in this list.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBMYGbRDsAM&pp=ygUUYWVyaWFsIHZpZXcgb2YgemFyaWE%3D

4. Aba

Aba didn't make this list by mistake. The quality of housing in this city is over the roof, only behind Lagos and Onitsha. It also the only city in this list that's almost at the verge of achieving 24/7 power supply. Large scale commercial activities are also present. However, the city can do better with its bad roads, which is the worst for cities in this list.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWX-cruI6fU&pp=ygUSYWVyaWFsIHZpZXcgb2YgYWJh

5. Warri

I am split between choosing Nnewi or Warri, both of who deserves the spot. Despite being home to the highest number of billionaires per capita, record number of indigenous companies and large scale economic activities, I still believe that Warri beats Nnewi. The city offers access to more quality roads and pre-tertiary institutions. It's also the only city in this list with a functional airport, though, Lagos is on the verge of getting one.

However, Warri should work on its security.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWX5DA01UaM&pp=ygUUYWVyaWFsIHZpZXcgb2Ygd2Fycmk%3D

Worthy Mention

Though they didn't make the list, we cant just ignore them. These are cities you look out for.

Nnewi

Nnewi tops my worthy mentions. It missed the main list by a whisker.

Ikot Ikpene
You won't want to leave after visiting this town. Akwa Ibom government finished work here. It's a place to be.

Bonny Island
it won't be fair to conclude this list without mentioning Bonny. It's not actually a city, but still made my worthy mention.

Agbara
I actually considered this town for the main list due to its industrialisation. But the quality of road and housing costs it a place in the main list. They could do better.

Abiriba

nabiz:
Abiriba

Yeah, it originally made my worthy mentions, but decided against it because I want the Worthy Mentions to be less than 5.

But, I have added it.

Lol funny list

Obagreatdatoye:
U are not serious...non of those cities aside lag can stand ogbomosho, ikare, sagamu, Akugba, Agbara, ota, sango, mowe e.t.c

Leave them, I started laughing when I noticed that Ota is not even there.

SOSinNigeria:


They're talking about cities this one is listing villages in his slum region. Primitive man

That is the problem with you guys, you can do anything to rubbish the region that host you and give you life after escaping from your "eldorado" region.

Pristine664:


Leave them. I started laughing when I noticed OTA is not even there.

OTA can't replace any in the the top 5.

Maybe it deserves a place in the worthy mention, but it can't still displace anyone.

The worthy mentions are cities, towns, or villages with something Unique

Nnewi (worthy mention with the highest commercial activity)

Ikot Ekpene (Quality of roads)

Bonny (it's an Island with high scale industrial activities)

Agbara (the most industrialised)

Abiriba (most beautiful village)

So, where does Ota come in?