Zaria Population 2026
Zaria has a population of 980,000, making it the #14 biggest city in 🇳🇬 Nigeria, located in Kaduna State. Roughly 0.4% of Nigeria's population lives here. It is about 16× smaller than Lagos, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
980,000
Rank in Nigeria
#14
Coordinates
11.11°N, 7.72°E
~644 m elevation · Africa/Lagos
Distance to capital (Abuja)
230 km
143 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Kaduna State
| City | Population | Rank in Nigeria |
|---|---|---|
| Kaduna | 1,850,000 | #6 |
| Lere | 93,290 | #115 |
| Kafanchan | 79,522 | #135 |
| Kagoro | 77,008 | #140 |
| Kachia | 30,893 | #187 |
| Sofo-Birnin-Gwari | 22,380 | #209 |
| Dutsen Wai | 22,062 | #210 |
| Soba | 15,715 | #258 |
Cities near Zaria
- Soba15,715 people · ~39 km away
- Dutsen Wai22,062 people · ~60 km away
- Funtua136,811 people · ~64 km away
- Kaduna1,850,000 people · ~72 km away
- Anchau15,538 people · ~75 km away
- Malumfashi70,709 people · ~76 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Zaria?
Zaria has a population of 980,000 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #14 biggest city in Nigeria.
What region is Zaria in?
Zaria is located in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Is Zaria the capital of Nigeria?
No, the capital of Nigeria is Abuja, about 230 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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