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Gaya

There are, widely, two categories of <a href="https://aura.ng/culture/5-underrated-nigerian-events-that-instantly-feel-like-a-getaway">Nigerians</a>. The first consists of those who have written off Nigeria and are determined to ‘japa’ at all costs. And the second are those willing to stay…but only if they can live and work in the highest-paying startups in Lagos or Abuja. To many, it often feels like there are no good opportunities elsewhere.&nbsp;

If you’ve ever felt this way, this piece will broaden your view. Granted, most organisations that advertise<a href="https://aura.ng/culture/before-you-quit-your-9-5-let-this-quiz-be-your-reality-check"> jobs</a> on X and LinkedIn are based in Lagos or Abuja. But beyond these two hubs, there are hidden gems in several other states. Across all six geopolitical zones, we highlight some promising cities with unique lifestyle advantages you can consider living in.&nbsp;

If you love cooler weather and want to eventually 'japa', Jos is the place to be. It’ll give you a foretaste of the weather abroad. You’ll also have unlimited access to fresh vegetables, sweet strawberries, and Irish potatoes without spending a fortune, as you normally would elsewhere.

Contrary to popular opinion, Jos isn’t a warzone. It’s a developing city with a slower pace of life, lower living costs, and essential urban infrastructure. As a bonus, it’s the home of peace and tourism. So, you can expect tourist attractions all around, like the Shere Hills and Kurra Falls.

Enugu balances the urban lifestyle. It’s an undercrowded version of Lagos with cleaner streets and less recognition. Enugu actually has modern amenities across different sectors, like health and business. As a young entrepreneur, it’s the right place to be.

Housing is relatively much cheaper than in Abuja, and there is an admirable level of law and order compared to many other states in Nigeria. For instance, just like you’ve seen in those Hollywood movies, careless one-way driving could actually get you busted. There are eyes on you everywhere.

Similar to Enugu, Uyo upholds its reputation as a clean and organised city. It has the wide roads you’ll see in Lagos and Abuja, with well-planned layouts. The city is also known for its rich local cuisine. Remember the <a href="https://aura.ng/culture/top-5-restaurants-in-victoria-island-lagos">Intercontinental Kitchen</a> you love to visit so much? Uyo is home to a vast majority of those dishes. So, you’ll enjoy your favourite Nigerian soups like Afang and Edikan Ikong there.&nbsp;

If you don’t want to sacrifice your peace and convenience but still be somewhere where remarkable events occur, Uyo is highly recommended. With its FIFA-standard stadium, called Nest of Champions, Akwa Ibom State continues to attract international attention for both sports and cultural events.

This city is for historians who appreciate old traditions and architecture. When discussing international trade centres in Nigeria, you can’t talk about Aba and Lagos without mentioning Kano. Kano provides strong business opportunities, especially for traders in the fashion industry. In fact, some of the country’s largest textile markets and manufacturers are located here.

Compared to Lagos and Abuja, Kano offers lower real estate costs than Lagos and more accessible markets than Abuja. This largely developed state has a rich commercial and cultural history.

Ibadan is that affordable big city. It is one of the biggest cities by land mass in Africa and even in West Africa. So, it’s not exactly less populated than Lagos. It’s just a lower-budget big city.&nbsp;

Also, its strategic location makes it easy to still pursue other tangible endeavours in bordering states like Lagos. In terms of education, Ibadan is home to major universities and research institutions. So if you’re in academia, you might want to look them up.

&nbsp;Yola is an atypical northern city. It is quiet, peaceful, and spacious. True to its slogan, it is the land of beauty, sunshine, and hospitality. As a newbie—especially if you haven’t lived in a northern state before—Yola is a good place to start. You’ll likely find it much easier to adjust, whether or not you speak Hausa, as it ranks among the northern states with a high number of educated indigenes.

Yola is also recognised for its strong agricultural activity and riverine transportation along the Benue River, in case either of those might interest you.

You should definitely explore these recommendations. This is your opportunity to prioritise yourself by making an informed decision that is not only based on how lucrative the city is for your field of expertise but also on your preferences and peace of mind. There’s no award for <a href="https://aura.ng/news/side-hustles-every-nigerian-youth-needs">suffering</a>.

Looking for where to live beyond Lagos and Abuja? Explore 6 Nigerian cities across different regions with lower living costs, career opportunities, and pleasant lifestyles.

Travel & Food

Best  Nigerian States to Live in (Beyond Abuja and Lagos)


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