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  What are the best cities to raise a family in Nigeria? That’s a question you’ll ask if you’re concerned about the quality of life that you, your wife or husband, and your children should have. It’s worth considering for people who are open to moving long distances if that’s what it takes to settle in their ideal place.
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Unfortunately, it’s sometimes difficult to find urban centres with a good combination of real opportunities to earn a fair income, appreciable security, and a low cost of living. This article presents a list of cities that may offer the best balance between these characteristics in Nigeria.

Uyo

The capital city of Akwa Ibom is known for its serenity and relative security. Although it’s situated in an oil-producing state, this is only partly responsible for its economic stability. The city has a number of vibrant markets that cater to the needs of residents. The best residential areas in the city include Ewet Housing Estate, Nwanbina Road, Osongama Estate, and Uyo Village Road. There are also important educational institutions there, such as the University of Uyo and the Federal Science and Technical College.

Kaduna  

As the second largest city in Northern Nigeria, Kaduna is a cultural melting pot. It’s certainly northern in its outlook, but it has a large community of people from all over the country. Places like Gonigowa, Sabo, Barnawa, and Malali are mostly fine for raising a family. Some of its most frequented markets are Abubakar Gumi Central Market, Barnawa Market, and Panteka Market. The Kaduna State University is situated within the city, as are numerous primary and secondary schools.

Calabar

Calabar is the capital city of Cross River State, a region known for its immense tourism potential. If you’re big on fun outings with your family, you’ll love the options available within this area. The city, as well as the surrounding districts, boasts a number of attractions. These range from the local museum to themed parks and the Marina Beach. The State Housing Estate, Federal Housing State, and Ekorinim (1&2) are among the most sought-after residential areas in Calabar. The city is home to the University of Calabar, a Federal university.
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Enugu

Known as the “Coal City” for its earlier role in the coal business, Enugu is now widely regarded as the most significant of the South East’s centres of administration. But there’s more to Enugu than the civil service. It has a decent manufacturing sector, strong trade, and a thriving agro-allied industry. More recently, it’s spawned a tech ecosystem that’s currently ranked fourth in Nigeria (behind Lagos, Abuja, and Ibadan). The nicer neighbourhoods in Enugu city include New GRA, Independence Layout, Emene-Nike, and Agbogazi Nike.

Ibadan

The Oyo State capital is one of Nigeria’s most populous cities. But it doesn’t have the intensity of Lagos or the sky-high prices of Abuja. What’s more, its economy is diverse, with agro-allied businesses, manufacturing, financial services, and even a burgeoning tech industry contributing to its allure. Then there’s its education sector, represented by the University of Ibadan, as well as five other universities. The best places to live in this city are Bodija, Oluyole Estate, Agodi GRA, Iyaganku GRA, Aalubosa GRA, and New Adeoyo Layout.

Asaba

Asaba has many things going for it. First, it’s the seat of government in Delta State, so it enjoys benefits like immediate government concern and relative security. It’s also just across the River Niger from Onitsha, one of Nigeria’s most important commercial posts. But it does have a respectable economy of its own, encompassing trade, real estate, manufacturing, hospitality, and entertainment. Residential areas include Nnebisi Road, Asaba GRA, Ibusa Road, and Okpanam.
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Final Words

That’s our list of the best cities in Nigeria to raise a family. If you’re hunting for the right mix of affordability, city life, and economic opportunities in this country, you probably won’t find better options than the ones we’ve reviewed here. Hopefully, you can choose from these cities based on where you are presently, and what you want in a place you’d call home.
Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
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This article was first published on 1st May 2025
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ikenna-nwachukwu

Ikenna Nwachukwu holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He loves to look at the world through multiple lenses- economic, political, religious and philosophical- and to write about what he observes in a witty, yet reflective style.

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