There are over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria and they have their unique culture, values, and relationship with education.

Some tribes value education, and some others don’t, and this inequality exists particularly between the southern and northern parts of the country. Despite decades of national investment in education, Nigeria’s literacy and education levels are still quite low and don’t even rank among countries with the highest IQs globally.

In 2022, Nigeria’s national literacy rate reached 69%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), a modest improvement since 2007. But this progress hides vast regional and tribal disparities. While states like Imo and Lagos boast literacy levels as high as 96%, states like Yobe and Zamfara still struggle far below the national average.

Southern tribes consistently lead, while many northern communities continue to face educational barriers. Here’s the top 10 most educated tribes, ranked by youth literacy (ages 15–24) and tertiary education rates:

Top 10 Most Educated Tribes in Nigeria

Here’s a chart from Intel point summarising the top 10 most educated tribes in Nigeria as of 2024:

1. Igbo

The youth literacy is 74.2% for males and 73.1% for females, and these figures rank top for both genders among all tribes. The Igbo tribe in Nigeria is renowned for its business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. However, they are also highly educated and have made significant contributions to the country’s educational landscape. They have a strong emphasis on education and believe in the power of knowledge to empower their community.

2. Edo

The youth literacy for males in Edo is 74.2% and 59.56% for females. The Edo tribe, known for their rich civilisation and high migration rates, is also recognised for their commitment to education. They place a strong emphasis on the value of knowledge and learning, making them one of the most educated tribes in Nigeria. Education among the Edo tribe goes beyond academic achievements. It is also intertwined with the preservation and promotion of their rich cultural heritage.

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3. Yoruba

The youth literacy for Yoruba males is 70.3% and 56.8% for the females. The Yoruba tribe in Nigeria is widely recognised as one of the most educated tribes in the country. They have a long history of embracing Western education, and as a result, have achieved remarkable educational milestones. The Yoruba tribe has a significant number of professors within their community, and these individuals serve as inspiring role models to the younger generations.

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4. Tiv

The youth literacy for Tiv males is 68.4% and 37.4% for females. There is a huge disparity in education between the genders. Tiv isa major ethnic group in Nigeria, primarily residing in Benue State and neighbouring regions. Historically, they relied on oral tradition and practical activities for knowledge transmission, with women often having less access to formal Western education. While Western education has opened up opportunities for Tiv women, these challenges remain.

5. Ijaw

The youth literacy for Ijaw males is 63.3% and 47.7% for females. The Ijaw tribe, prominent in the Niger Delta region, is not only politically influential but also highly educated. With a strong emphasis on education, the Ijaw people have produced a significant number of educated individuals who play significant roles in society.

6. Hausa

The youth literacy for Hausa men is 63.3% and 47.7% for women. Northern states have historically lagged due to limited colonial-era schooling in the North. Recent improvements only began through adult and rural literacy initiatives. This tribe is known for its political dominance, and despite their cultural and population challenges, those who pursue education within the Hausa tribe have proven their intellectual capabilities.

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7. Ibibio

The youth literacy for males in Ibibio is 57.7% and for females, 62.2%. The Ibibio people are found in the South-South region of Nigeria in Akwa Ibom State, Cross River State, and Eastern Abia State (Arochukwu and Ukwa East LGAs). This tribe benefited from community and government literacy programs, which have shown strong improvements in literacy across both genders over the years.

8. Other Ethnicities

Other ethnicities like Urhobo / Itsekiri / Isoko / Calabar, and many others, fall under this category. For example, Urhobo (Delta), Itsekiri (Western Niger Delta), Isoko, and Calabar/Efik communities have historical ties to early education via missionaries/trade.

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9. Kanuri

10. Fulani

The youth literacy for Fulani men is 26.2% and 13.8% for females. This tribe is traditionally nomadic, which makes formal education access more difficult.

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Education Trends (2000 – 2024)

In conclusion, Igbo, Edo, and Yoruba top Nigeria’s educational rankings.

Let’s be honest, making ₦200,000 a month in today’s Nigeria feels like trying to quench a house fire with a sachet of water. It’s not that ₦200k used to be a bad salary.

A few years ago, it was decent. Respectable, even. But in 2025’s economy, where the prices of everything are rising at an insane level, it’s now challenging to manage any level of pay.

So we’re not surprised to hear how much you’ve struggled to at least push your 200k salary to get to the middle of the month.

Well, we’re here to help you provide tips that can help you tighten your already tight budget more, so that your salary can pull you through the month.

ALSO READ: Salary Don Enter: How to make it last beyond 2 weeks

But before we go on, let’s see what life looks like for the average Nigerian trying to stretch ₦200k in an ₦800k economy?

Rent 

If you live in Lagos or Abuja, you already know rent is no joke. A “decent” one-bedroom apartment in a safe, fairly central location? Anywhere from ₦500k to ₦1 million per year. That’s at least ₦41,000/month – if you’re lucky enough to be on a payment plan. Unfortunately, most Nigerian landlords don’t make monthly plans, which makes it even more difficult.

Feeding 

Let’s say you try to eat modestly, cook at home, buy in bulk, and avoid the temptation of chicken and chips from the “new lounge down the road.” You’ll still spend around ₦30,000 – ₦50,000 a month – if you’re highly disciplined and know where to get the cheapest onions. But well, even this depends on how modest you can be.

Transport 

Whether you’re hopping on a danfo, keke, or bolt-ing to work, you’re burning money daily. Fuel price hikes have made even “short” trips expensive. A modest daily commute can now set you back ₦500–₦1000/day, which adds up to ₦20,000–₦30,000/month.

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So you see, there’s no easy way out of it. Add other expenses like subscriptions, bills, and weekend flex, and you can see how unrealistic living on a 200k monthly wage is. But there’s something you can still do. Below are some of the additional things people are doing to survive:

• Side hustles: Freelancing, online gigs, buying and selling, influencing, Uber driving – anything to add to the pot.

• Shared apartments: Two or three people splitting rent in a flat meant for one.

• Sacrifice: Delayed gratification, secondhand everything, and the art of pretending you’re not hungry.

• Credit culture: “Pay small small” is now a lifestyle, not just a slogan.

Conclusion 

ALSO READ: How to stretch your salary until the next alert – without crying

₦200,000 is not poverty, but in today’s Nigeria, it’s barely surviving. The system is squeezing the middle class into exhaustion, and the worst part is, many don’t even complain anymore. We laugh about it online, send memes, and keep it moving. Because complaining doesn’t pay the bills.

If you’re doing it already without tangling yourself with so many debts, keep going. You’re the authentic MVP and deserve to be celebrated.

In a society where weddings are grand, hashtags are trending, and couple goals are posted with soft music playing in the background, there’s a quiet crisis brewing in many Nigerian homes: couples who are married, but emotionally and intimately living like roommates.

They share a roof, bills, and maybe even children – but not dreams, conversations, or connection. It’s the silent epidemic no one tweets about. Because in Nigeria, once you’ve said “I do,” you’re expected to just figure it out, even when the spark is long gone.

Let’s talk about it

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The Picture Perfect Marriage That Barely Exists

Unfortunately, many couples have reached this unfortunate juncture, although it can be so hard to notice from the outside. After all, they still wear their matching outfits to church, pose together at weddings, and even send out joint gifts to their friends. But indoors, the communication continues to dwindle.

Affection is at an all-time low, and no emotional attachments. Just a polite partnership because both parties can’t leave. They’ve become roommates, and no longer the soulmates they used to be.

But Why’s This Happening? 

1. Cultural Pressure to Marry Fast

Society places more value on getting married than staying connected. Many people tie the knot because “it’s time,” not because they’ve built true emotional compatibility. By the time the honeymoon fades, they realise they’re sharing a life with someone they barely know how to talk to.

2. Emotional Illiteracy

Nigerians are raised to be strong, not soft. From a young age, men are told not to show emotions, and women are told to “endure.” The result? Adults who can’t have vulnerable conversations. So when problems arise in the marriage, they shut down and drift apart quietly.

3. Children Change the Game

Once kids enter the picture, many couples turn into co-parents, not partners. The relationship becomes all about survival – school runs, feeding bottles, PTA meetings – and the romance slowly suffocates under the weight of “responsibility.”

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So, What Can Be Done?

1. Communicate Beyond Chores

Communication is a lot and should be considered. Don’t just communicate because you have to communicate. Instead, communicate because you want to.

Ask, “How are you really?” not just “Have you paid the NEPA bill?” Create space for honest conversations, even when it’s uncomfortable.

2. Invest in Intimacy

Not just physical intimacy, but emotional closeness. Take a walk. Go on a no-kid date. Cuddle. Laugh. Remember what made you choose each other and talk about them every once in a while. This way, you’re recreating the spark that once connected you.

3. Normalise Counselling

Therapy isn’t for the broken – it’s for the brave. Even a few sessions can help couples reconnect. Let’s remove the shame around seeking help and do it when the need ever arises.

ALSO READ: Therapy in Nigeria: Luxury or necessity?

4. Stop Performing Marriage for the Public

Social media pressure is real, but don’t let the need to “look happy” replace the effort it takes to be happy. It’s okay to pause and work on your relationship in private.