Fresh figures from job listings platform Hotnigerianjobs have exposed the stark imbalance in employment opportunities across Nigeria, with Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Rivers State accounting for more than half of advertised vacancies in the past two months.
The data, covering 36 states including the FCT, shows that a total of 19,306 job openings were advertised nationwide between July 25th and September 25th, 2025. However, the distribution was far from even. Lagos alone posted 8,271 vacancies, representing about 43 per cent of all jobs. Abuja followed with 1,994 listings, while Rivers State recorded 922.
Together with Kano (878) and Kwara (663), the top five states accounted for over 65 per cent of job adverts, leaving 32 other states scrambling for the remaining one-third of opportunities.
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Job deserts in North-East
At the other extreme, states in the North-East recorded the lowest figures. Taraba State had just 12 job adverts within the period, Yobe recorded 31, Kebbi 38, and Bauchi 42. Katsina posted 52 listings, while Borno, despite its large population and status as a regional capital, registered only 127.
Our analyst notes that the weak performance in the region reflects the combined effects of insecurity, low industrialisation, and the flight of private capital from states under insurgency pressure.
South-West retains dominance
Beyond Lagos, other South-Western states showed relatively strong performances. Oyo posted 590 listings, Ogun 643, Osun 294, Ondo 296, and Ekiti 262. Analysts attribute this to the concentration of higher institutions, industrial estates, and the proximity of some of these states to Lagos.
In Ogun State, for instance, the clustering of factories along the Lagos-Ibadan corridor has long positioned it as an attractive site for employers. Oyo’s Ibadan, the country’s largest city by landmass, is also home to several multinationals and academic institutions.
South-South: Oil-rich but uneven
The oil-rich South-South presented a mixed picture. Rivers led the region with 922 job adverts, followed by Delta (394) and Edo (532). Akwa Ibom recorded 201, Bayelsa 71, and Cross River 131.
While Rivers’ figures are buoyed by its oil and gas industry, Bayelsa, despite being one of the largest crude oil producers, fared poorly, raising questions about its reliance on a rentier economy that does not translate into broad-based employment.
Middle Belt emerging hubs
Interestingly, some North-Central states outperformed expectations. Kwara State’s 663 vacancies put it among the top five in the nation, while Nassarawa (540) also posted strong numbers. Both states benefit from their closeness to Abuja and the gradual relocation of firms seeking cheaper operational costs outside the capital. Kogi, Plateau, Benue, and Niger lagged behind with figures ranging from 84 to 250, but all still performed significantly better than the North-East.
In a recent interview, Ahmed Alaga, Head of Programme, Impact & Partnerships at The Africa Talent Company, speaking on the employment landscape in Northern Nigeria, noted:
“Many young people have found opportunities across various sectors, particularly in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing. A notable trend has been increased female participation in the workforce, with more women entering previously male-dominated industries.”
Policy implications
Labour experts warn that the imbalance in job creation poses a threat to national stability. Our analyst stresses that the centralisation of jobs in Lagos and Abuja is a ticking time bomb. It will continue to fuel rural-urban migration, congestion, and insecurity in megacities, while leaving other regions underdeveloped.
Unless urgent steps are taken to spread opportunities more evenly, the gulf between thriving and struggling states may deepen, with profound consequences for the country’s social and political stability.