this would make for interesting and well-informed debate,not the type that nigeria1 brings to the table which stinks of tribalism. my humble opinion is 1.lag, 2.port-harcourt, 3.abuja, 4.ibadan, 5. kaduna. i think warri,aba and maybe kano are good to go but nah

Lagos is the HUB at the moment

PH has massive potential as well as ABJ!

It depends on if you are asking the question in terms of trade or culture. If it is based on trade, Aba should be higher up the list, certainly ahead of Ibadan and Kaduna.

aba with trade,yeah,thats a fact but i bet big time investors would go with kaduna and ibadan before aba,its pretty evident,check out the no of banks,local investment like eateries,dont think theres any question,if its trade then kano shd be rote after lagos

1. lagos

2.abuja

3.kaduna

4.ph

5.kano

Only Hausa man can put Kaduna ahead of PH.

Don't forget Yenagoa 

agree with ibime,kd aint better than ph, kano can't beat ibd to the list,too many non active people there economically,almajiris and non active females due to religious and cultural factors.

plus,no yenagoa,u no even mention enugu or asaba first or jos, wetin dey yenagoa?

Below is an effort at ranking Nigeria's major towns based on some yardsticks. it's just an opinion based on knowledge of activities in Nigeria and peculiarities of these cities:

Economy-wiseDefined by totality of corporate, commercial, and industrial activities)
1, Lagos- Corporate capital of Nigeria.Head Offices of virtually all the companies that matter are in Lagos.
2, Port Harcourt- The Oil capital of Nigeria.
3, Kano- Arguably No 1 commercial city in Nigeria, but commerce is just a fragment of economy
4, Abuja- The political capital of course, but can't stand Lagos, PH or Kano in terms of economic activities. Regulatory agencies that control the economy(CBN etc) are there
5, Kaduna-Another hub of economic activities. Lagos of the North
6, Ibadan- Hub of grassroot, informal economic activities
7, Warri- If Warri is bombed today, it will tell on the world economy via crude oil prices.

Commerce-wiseDefined by no and size of markets, volume of trading activities etc)
1, Kano: Commerce is another name for Kano
2, Ibadan:Commercial capital of the South(East and West). Trading activities, especially, informal activities, boom here.Millions of market women
3, Lagos: Many markets, formal and informal
4, Onitsha: The 'Dubai' of Ibo-made products. Has one of the largest markets in West africa
5, Kaduna: Also has one of the largest markets in west Africa
6, Aba: Made in Aba! You get me, ?
7, Port Harcourt: A good place to tap some money from the OIL MILLIONAIRES!

Industrial-wise:
1, Lagos: Highly industralized
2, Port Harcourt: Refinery plus other oil-related industries
3, Warri: Ditto
4, Otta: Home of Medium sized industries
5, Kaduna: Refinery plus other industries
6, Kano: Many indigenous plants are here
7, Ibadan:Oluyole industrial estate. Not doing badly

Political-wise:
1, Abuja- The official political capital of Nigeria
2, Ibadan- The political capital of old Western Nigeria and today's S/West. Ibadan politics matters in the country
3, Lagos- More of an economic city than political, but more than a decade after FCT was moved to Abuja, Lagos is still
4, Kaduna- The political h/quarters of the North, politically speaking.Capital of old Northern Nigeria.Till today critical political meetings still hold here. Power-broking city      
5, Kano- The religious capital of the North(apology to Sokoto). And in the North, politics and religion are intertwined. So
6, Enugu- The capital of the old Eastern Nigeria. Still powerful in political dealings today.
7, Ilorin- Another force to reckon with, politically speaking

Ife, I cannot believe you put Onitsha ahead of Aba in commerce. I have been to both cities and the whole town of Aba is a market. It is not the same in Onitsha. Infact, when it comes to commerce, Aba could be no 1, definitely higher than Ibadan. I've never been to Kano so Kano may well be the no 1 in commerce, but I find it hard to see anyone else topping Aba.

Politics wise, you better believe that PH, Warri and Yenagoa are top of the agenda right now.

whole town being a market does not affect people's spending power positively or negatively,check out,if u run a telecoms company which town would u pop first,aba,onitsha,kano or ibadan? u know ibadan tops it,ask glo,multilinks,starcomms,mtn and co.

cholerik:

whole town being a market does not affect people's spending power positively or negatively,check out,if u run a telecoms company which town would u pop first,aba,onitsha,kano or ibadan? u know ibadan tops it,ask glo,multilinks,starcomms,mtn and co.

Check Ife-Eco's post again. She was talking about commerce on a day-to-day level. On that level, Aba is King.

Ibime:

Ife, I cannot believe you put Onitsha ahead of Aba in commerce. I have been to both cities and the whole town of Aba is a market. It is not the same in Onitsha. Infact, when it comes to commerce, Aba could be no 1, definitely higher than Ibadan. I've never been to Kano so Kano may well be the no 1 in commerce, but I find it hard to see anyone else topping Aba.

I reason with your comment. I have not been to both places but I need not go there before I know what's going on there.

However in this case, having been in both places, your argument seems strong. If I can find two other persons that have been to both places to corroborate this, I'll update my list for it i.e put Aba ahead of Onitsha. As regards Ibadan however, I can't put any of those two above Ibadan.

Jarus: Below is an effort at ranking Nigeria's major towns based on some yardsticks. it's just an opinion based on knowledge of activities in Nigeria and peculiarities of these cities:

Economy-wiseDefined by totality of corporate, commercial, and industrial activities)
1, Lagos- Corporate capital of Nigeria.Head Offices of virtually all the companies that matter are in Lagos.
2, Port Harcourt- The Oil capital of Nigeria.
3, Kano- Arguably No 1 commercial city in Nigeria, but commerce is just a fragment of economy
4, Abuja- The political capital of course, but can't stand Lagos, PH or Kano in terms of economic activities. Regulatory agencies that control the economy(CBN etc) are there
5, Kaduna-Another hub of economic activities. Lagos of the North
6, Ibadan- Hub of grassroot, informal economic activities
7, Warri- If Warri is bombed today, it will tell on the world economy via crude oil prices.

Commerce-wiseDefined by no and size of markets, volume of trading activities etc)
1, Kano: Commerce is another name for Kano
2, Ibadan:Commercial capital of the South(East and West). Trading activities, especially, informal activities, boom here.Millions of market women
3, Lagos: Many markets, formal and informal
4, Onitsha: The 'Dubai' of Ibo-made products. Has one of the largest markets in West africa
5, Kaduna: Also has one of the largest markets in west Africa
6, Aba: Made in Aba! You get me, ?
7, Port Harcourt: A good place to tap some money from the OIL MILLIONAIRES!

Industrial-wise:
1, Lagos: Highly industralized
2, Port Harcourt: Refinery plus other oil-related industries
3, Warri: Ditto
4, Otta: Home of Medium sized industries
5, Kaduna: Refinery plus other industries
6, Kano: Many indigenous plants are here
7, Ibadan:Oluyole industrial estate. Not doing badly

Political-wise:
1, Abuja- The official political capital of Nigeria
2, Ibadan- The political capital of old Western Nigeria and today's S/West. Ibadan politics matters in the country
3, Lagos- More of an economic city than political, but more than a decade after FCT was moved to Abuja, Lagos is still
4, Kaduna- The political h/quarters of the North, politically speaking.Capital of old Northern Nigeria.Till today critical political meetings still hold here. Power-broking city      
5, Kano- The religious capital of the North(apology to Sokoto). And in the North, politics and religion are intertwined. So
6, Enugu- The capital of the old Eastern Nigeria. Still powerful in political dealings today.
7, Ilorin- Another force to reckon with, politically speaking

this is about the most realistic list here

Economically, the most influential Metropolitan Areas in Nigeria (City and surrounding Areas)

Lagos
Quite naturally the Economic Hub for West Africa. I would literally fill the page up to defend this, so I guess everyone knows the economic might of Lagos

Port Harcourt
Oil and Gas Hub for West Africa with concious effort by state government to make is one of Africa's Major metropolitan economies due to the development of Greater Port Harcourt Metropolitan Area. it is worthy to note that Port harcourt is the only city in west africa with two seperate fucntional airports (i.e Port Harcourt International Airport which is Nigeria's third busiest and most viable airport with over a million passengers in 2009 according to wikipedia and Garden City Airport NAF which handles flights to and from Lagos and Warri. The metropolitan economy of Port Harcourt which is quite big as it includes Oyibo, Eleme, Onne, Choba, Omagwa when combined justifies its position as Nigeria's second most urban area.

Kano
Without any doubt is the most developed metropolitan economy in Northern Nigeria with commendable levels of commerce second to Lagos and ranking third in terms of Industry after Lagos and Port Harcourt. If only the north can be pieceful, Kano should be on the same page with Lagos because it has what it takes. IMO this is the most facinating city in Nigeria economically as its landlocked from the sea. It surely has lots of almajiris but undeniably has vibrant economy. Onitsha try but Kano pass am. The share size of the urban area as well as population density easily tells the story. Kano metropolitan area as illustrated by google earth has the third most extensive road network in Nigeria (only Abuja and Lagos surpasses it) It's airport which is one of Nigeria's four principal airports (the others are Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt) is one of the only two airports in Nigeria with two runways (Lagos being the second) as well as seperate terminal building newly constructed for domestic flights.

Abuja
Though, mostly a political capital is gradually becoming an Economic center in Nigeria and its likely to move one or two positions upward given Federal Government influence. Increase in tourism business as well as banking and finance very well validates its position and its airport is the second busiest in west africa after Lagos with over 3 million passengers in 2009 according to wikipedia. Abuja's metropolitan area which includes AMAC and parts of the immediate surrounding Area councils as well as Karu in Nasarawa and Suleja/Madalla in Niger state is the most contingious urban area in West Africa as Abuja urban arena sprawls into Niger and Nasarawa state making it the fourth most populated metropolitan area in Nigeria after Lagos, kano and Ibadan acording to CIA world fact book.

Kaduna
Significant Presence of Government bodies and reasonable number of industries. the development in this city is almost exclusively reliant on federal government and state government as a result, its the most federal government favoured city in Nigeria outside outside of Abuja and Lagos)

Onitsha
Infrastructure is poor largely due to the fact that its not a political seat in any way conceiveable but the economy is thriving and it has potentials. IMO it has done well as a relatively landlocked city (apart from river niger) which is not a state capital. Its also important to note that the combined statistical Area for Onitsha which will include Nnewi and Awka in the conurbation when fully and properly developed forms a formidable urban economy which will only be easily rivaled by Lagos. the Igbos are truly industrious. Federal government only needs to complement infrastructure in Anambra so the state can achieve its full potentials.

Warri
the situation is similar to Onitsha except that its not commercial like Onitsha but rather a mini version of Port Harcourt in terms of Petroleum industry. State government even though they have made commendable effort towards developing the city still have to do more if it must maintain its current economic status or even move up the ladder because, the same region in which it is located has some formidable emergying conurbations which can change things here dramatically in the ranking. (such urban area is the Uyo/Oron/Ibaka urban zone. many may not know it yet but Akpabio's development strategy is designed to potentially outclass some most of these urban areas here by simply locating its fast growing airport in between Oron and Uyo hence the name Akwa Ibom airport and not Uyo airport because the airport is actually closer to Oron than Uyo and Ibaka City developement is taking place just outside of Oron Urban area. the result of this is a very likely Uyo/Oron/Ibaka continous urban area (or conurbation If u wish). same warning may eventually be necessary for Onitsha Axis as Akwa Ibom has the advantage in terms of location and monetary resource to outclass its Anambra's emergying Urban sprawl of Onitsha.

Aba
Onitsha's twin city from the same region of Nigeria with similar attributes to its twin sister but no complementing surb-urban cities as is the case of Onitsha which has Nkpor and Obosi within its urban area. Interestingly though, Aba is also a promising urban area as it is sandwiched by other major cities like Port Harcourt, Calabar, Enugu, Owerri and its politcal siblin (Umuahia) Aba may not need an airport any time soon because of its prime location, besides, Owerri airport is half way between Aba and Owerri and both cities If the two respective states do some strategic economic integration can make up another combined statistical urban area economy.

Ibadan (dont really know what to say here. I just put it for its size and history in Nigeria's development. IMO, not much economic activities is taking place here compared to the cities listed before it. However, there a few industries and big markets to make up for its size). IMO Ibadan even though its near to lagos should also be an independent economic center and it can be achieved.

Calabar
Many would disagree with this selection as its mostly a civil service state with Nigeria's best tourism credentials which is why I put it in here. the Calabar carnival is the largest carnival in Africa and running for 31 days means good revenue for the state along with the few industries in the EPZ and Tinapa. If Cross River state's current government can improve on the achievements of Donald Duke along with Federal Government concious assistance towards developing appropriate infrastructure such as connection of Calabar to National rail network, dualising Aba/Ikot Ekpene/Itu/Calabar Highway as well as dualisation of Enugu/Abakaliki/Ikom/Calabar motor way, upgrading of airport and seaport for international traffic flow. then surely the state is in for overwhelming influx of tourists and business mogules from Nigeria and the rest of the world. Furthermore, Cross River and Akwa Ibom can develop strategic economic alliance like I suggested for Abia and Imo by integrating their state capitals with a single motor-way and corresponding bridges as well as rail line linking them. the result of that when best implemented will be a Calabar-Uyo-Oron-Ibaka combined urban area which Lagos state will have to compete with as the potentials are simply overwhelming.



the cities with names in bold are currently Nigeria's big 4 city economies that have overal signicant level of economic activities and can favourbly compete with other major urban areas in Africa.


I have been to all these cities I mentioned and very familiar with them as well as some other cities of Nigeria hence my analysis.

We are talking about important economic cities, and not some cities with dirty and disorganised markets here and there.

Lagos, PH, Onitsha, Kano and maybe Ibadan takes the cake anytime anyday. The major way of determining most important economic cities is through bank movement. The above cities from Lagos to PH to Onitsha to Kano has heavy presence of banks and we all know that banks goes where there is huge economic activities. The front three winners are Lagos, PH and Onitsha, also the three above mentioned cities has Port facilities that will flourish and bouy economic activities the more

The most important economically to the nations in terms of revenue generated for the country and the commercial activities that happen therein are;
1) Lagos
2) Port Harcourt
3) Warri
4) Eket
5) Kano
6) Onitsha
7) Aba
Ibadan
9) Nnewi
10)Abuja

careytommy: The most important economically to the nations in terms of revenue generated for the country and the commercial activities that happen therein are;
1) Lagos
2) Port Harcourt
3) Warri
4) Eket
5) Kano
6) Onitsha
7) Aba
Ibadan
9) Nnewi
10)Abuja

ur heading and list is quite meaningful as each of these cities have their strengths and respectively contribute to national revenue generation. It is quite interesting to note that Eket was not excluded here as alot of people fill there isnt much happening there whereas its the heart of the oil and gas industry in Akwa Ibom. It may be small compared to Lagos, PH, Kano, Abuja and Ibadan but it really does deserve to be in the top ten revenue generating cities in Nigeria. I see some urban economy partnerships to develop in future amongst these cities with their respective neighbouring urban areas.

Good one

oh, I don post 4 years ago. No further comment.

Port Harcourt- Let's be real, almost all of our money comes from oil
Warri- Same
Lagos- Obvious reasons
Onitcha- The most overlooked city in Nigeria. It was recently announced that there was more cities in Onitcha than in Lagos. Largest market in west Africa, Supplier of almost everything that Igbo businessmen can be found, which is everything
Kano
Kaduna

Ikengawo: Port Harcourt- Let's be real, almost all of our money comes from oil
Warri- Same
Lagos- Obvious reasons
Onitcha- The most overlooked city in Nigeria. It was recently announced that there was more cities in Onitcha than in Lagos. Largest market in west Africa, Supplier of almost everything that Igbo businessmen can be found, which is everything
Kano
Kaduna

I think Onitsha is getting attention and face lift at the moment with reconstruction and remodeling of Onitsha-Awka expressway and also the presence of major multinationals as Sabmiller and other local giants as orange drugs trooping into the city to set up their plants. The Onitsha Port is another plus to the city

one.east:



I think Onitsha is getting attention and face lift at the moment with reconstruction and remodeling of Onitsha-Awka expressway and also the presence of major multinationals as Sabmiller and other local giants as orange drugs trooping into the city to set up their plants. The Onitsha Port is another plus to the city

that is a step in d right direction. however, concious efforts should be made by Anambra state government to upgrade Nnewi from an unplanned urban sprawl to a purposeful city with appropriate infrastructure put in place as well as having long term plans of purposefully integrating Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka to form a more formidable urban economic zone. It may not be so easy to achieve, but with determination, it can be achieved. the satellite image of Nnewi and Awka doesnt speak good of the two towns as they look like densed rural clusters. though Awka is gradually coming up. Onitsha remains the really purpose built urban area in Anambra

cholerik: this would make for interesting and well-informed debate,not the type that nigeria1 brings to the table which stinks of tribalism. my humble opinion is 1.lag, 2.port-harcourt, 3.abuja, 4.ibadan, 5. kaduna. i think warri,aba and maybe kano are good to go but nah

I'm sorry but Abuja has little or nothing to offer economically. Abuja is not an economic city neither is it a cultural city or a social city. It's simply a political city. Chikena.

My humble opinion:

1) Lagos(white collar and Blue collar)
2) Port-Hacourt(Oil and Gas)
3) Onitsha(Commerce and Manufacturing)
4) Aba(Manufacturing and Commerce)
5) Nnewi(Automobile capital of sub-sahan Africa)


Fringe cities:

Warri
Kano
Kaduna
etc...

eexx:


ur heading and list is quite meaningful as each of these cities have their strengths and respectively contribute to national revenue generation. It is quite interesting to note that Eket was not excluded here as alot of people fill there isnt much happening there whereas its the heart of the oil and gas industry in Akwa Ibom. It may be small compared to Lagos, PH, Kano, Abuja and Ibadan but it really does deserve to be in the top ten revenue generating cities in Nigeria. I see some urban economy partnerships to develop in future amongst these cities with their respective neighbouring urban areas.

Good one

Yes bro, he used the term 'economically' that is why my list is in that order. If he had used the tern 'commercially', then cities like Eket & Warri will have no business there. Rather, it would be Kaduna & Sokoto

cholerik: this would make for interesting and well-informed debate,not the type that nigeria1 brings to the table which stinks of tribalism. my humble opinion is 1.lag, 2.port-harcourt, 3.abuja, 4.ibadan, 5. kaduna. i think warri,aba and maybe kano are good to go but nah

No it won't!

it depend on what you want

In terms of local manufacturing and ingenious use of local labour, I go with ABA as the uncontested champion.

if you want to setup agro allied ondo and kwara are my first pick

if it is cotton business kano

1) Lagos(white collar and Blue collar)
2) ondo, warri and ph (Oil and Gas)
3) anywhere (Commerce )
4) ogun and ondo (Manufacturing )
5 lagos film
6 ondo and delta , bayels fishing
7 kwara suagr related
8 ondo ekiti, osun cocoa related
9 ondo and edo, delta rubber related
10 kwara and niger rice related
11 oyo and osun fruit related

12 kano groundnut

12 ondo banana related

14 anambra kernel

15 ondo edo palm oil

it depend on what you want. some places in the north for agric.

musiwa...:
1) Lagos(white collar and Blue collar)
2) ondo, warri and ph (Oil and Gas)
3) anywhere (Commerce )
4) ogun and ondo (Manufacturing )
5 lagos film
6 ondo and delta , bayels fishing
7 kwara suagr related
8 ondo ekiti, osun cocoa related
9 ondo and edo, delta rubber related
10 kwara and niger rice related
11 oyo and osun fruit related

12 kano groundnut

12 ondo banana related

14 anambra kernel

15 ondo edo palm oil

it depend on what you want. some places in the north for agric.

The satellite oracle has spoken. He sees what we don't see, including a city called 'anywhere' and another Lagos. . Case closed.

Look good

Jarus: Below is an effort at ranking Nigeria's major towns based on some yardsticks. it's just an opinion based on knowledge of activities in Nigeria and peculiarities of these cities:

Economy-wiseDefined by totality of corporate, commercial, and industrial activities)
1, Lagos- Corporate capital of Nigeria.Head Offices of virtually all the companies that matter are in Lagos.
2, Port Harcourt- The Oil capital of Nigeria.
3, Kano- Arguably No 1 commercial city in Nigeria, but commerce is just a fragment of economy
4, Abuja- The political capital of course, but can't stand Lagos, PH or Kano in terms of economic activities. Regulatory agencies that control the economy(CBN etc) are there
5, Kaduna-Another hub of economic activities. Lagos of the North
6, Ibadan- Hub of grassroot, informal economic activities
7, Warri- If Warri is bombed today, it will tell on the world economy via crude oil prices.

Commerce-wiseDefined by no and size of markets, volume of trading activities etc)
1, Kano: Commerce is another name for Kano
2, Ibadan:Commercial capital of the South(East and West). Trading activities, especially, informal activities, boom here.Millions of market women
3, Lagos: Many markets, formal and informal
4, Onitsha: The 'Dubai' of Ibo-made products. Has one of the largest markets in West africa
5, Kaduna: Also has one of the largest markets in west Africa
6, Aba: Made in Aba! You get me, ?
7, Port Harcourt: A good place to tap some money from the OIL MILLIONAIRES!

Industrial-wise:
1, Lagos: Highly industralized
2, Port Harcourt: Refinery plus other oil-related industries
3, Warri: Ditto
4, Otta: Home of Medium sized industries
5, Kaduna: Refinery plus other industries
6, Kano: Many indigenous plants are here
7, Ibadan:Oluyole industrial estate. Not doing badly

Political-wise:
1, Abuja- The official political capital of Nigeria
2, Ibadan- The political capital of old Western Nigeria and today's S/West. Ibadan politics matters in the country
3, Lagos- More of an economic city than political, but more than a decade after FCT was moved to Abuja, Lagos is still
4, Kaduna- The political h/quarters of the North, politically speaking.Capital of old Northern Nigeria.Till today critical political meetings still hold here. Power-broking city      
5, Kano- The religious capital of the North(apology to Sokoto). And in the North, politics and religion are intertwined. So
6, Enugu- The capital of the old Eastern Nigeria. Still powerful in political dealings today.
7, Ilorin- Another force to reckon with, politically speaking

. Another senseless post from an ethnic clouded bigoted primitive yooroba man. Just naming all the browned-zinc western city just to show your ignorance.

Check Ife-Eco's post again. She was talking about commerce on a day-to-day level. On that level, Aba is King.[/quote]Another po[quote author=Jarus]

I reason with your comment. I have not been to both places but I need not go there before I know what's going on there.

However in this case, having been in both places, your argument seems strong. If I can find two other persons that have been to both places to corroborate this, I'll update my list for it i.e put Aba ahead of Onitsha. As regards Ibadan however, I can't put any of those two above Ibadan. [quote author=Jarus]
You have not been any eastern city, so why posting thrash here? I advice you to leave your cave in the west and get a fresh air.

DRANOEL: 1. lagos

2.abuja

3.kaduna

4.ph

5.kano

these five r very important, but the better arrangement is

Lagos
Port Harcourt
Kano
Abuja
Kaduna