Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Kano, Nigeria's ancient commercial capital, has officially emerged as the world's ninth most populous city, with an estimated 17.5 million people in 2026, according to the World Population Review 2026 report. The data, published in July 2026, places Kano alongside global megacities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Delhi, Mumbai, Kinshasa and Karachi . With an annual growth rate of 3.16 per cent, Kano added over 536,000 people in the last year alone, a trajectory that, if sustained, could push its population past 20 million by 2030 .
The ranking has sparked a nationwide debate, particularly over whether Kano has overtaken Lagos, the country's former commercial capital, which is estimated at 14.8 million in 2026. However, a key distinction exists: the 17.5 million figure refers to the entire Kano State, while Lagos's 14.8 million is often cited as the city proper. The eight metropolitan local government areas that form the urban core of Kano account for approximately 4.8 million people, while the remaining LGAs accommodate millions more across rural and semi-urban communities .
Kano's journey to megacity status has been remarkable. In 1991, its population stood at 3,005,222. By 2006, it had surged to 9.4 million, and by 2022, it had reached 15.46 million . Analysts attribute this explosive growth to a combination of high fertility rates, migration driven by insecurity in the North-East and North-West, and the city's historic role as West Africa's commercial nerve centre . Economists and sociologists have warned that Kano's population explosion presents both a demographic dividend and a potential burden. Dr. Abdussalam Muhammad Kani, an economist and lecturer, argued that "too much population can only be a problem if the government fails to make the population productive," urging massive investment in education, healthcare and agriculture . A sociologist from Kwara State University, Dr. Moshood Isa, warned that inadequate employment and infrastructure could turn Kano's rating into a major challenge, linking unemployment to rising insecurity .
Kano's rise to the ninth position underscores Africa's rapid urbanisation and the shifting demographic weight of the continent. As Nigeria's most populous state, Kano's continued growth presents enormous opportunities for economic development, but also demands urgent investment in human capital to prevent its millions from becoming a demographic burden.
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