Kano State has emerged as the best place in Nigeria to raise a family, according to a new report that assessed quality of life, infrastructure, safety, and affordability across eight states between January and May this year.
The rankings considered what matters most to Nigerian families: how safe neighbourhoods are, what schools and hospitals look like, whether roads work, how much things cost, and whether jobs are available. Kano beat out the other states examined in the study by scoring highest across these measures.
The report did not rank all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory. Instead, researchers focused on eight states that they selected for the study. The methodology examined conditions on the ground rather than relying on published statistics alone, meaning researchers looked at actual infrastructure, visited markets to check prices, and assessed security situations directly.
Kano's win matters because families making decisions about where to settle often weigh these same factors. A state that ranks well on affordability, safety, and access to good schools and hospitals becomes attractive to people looking to move, particularly young professionals and middle-class families who have the option to relocate.
The report comes at a time when many Nigerians are reconsidering where they live. Security challenges in some regions, rising costs in major cities like Lagos and Abuja, and the search for better quality of life have prompted internal migration within the country. States that offer value for money, especially for education and healthcare, have seen increased interest from families.
Kano, Nigeria's second-largest city by population, has long been a commercial hub with established infrastructure, markets, and institutions. The state's agricultural sector and trading culture have created economic opportunities that support families looking for employment beyond government jobs. Housing, though increasing in demand, remains cheaper than in Lagos or the Federal Capital Territory.
