How Kano became Nigeria’s best state to raise a family

A new report by SBM Intelligence has ranked Kano as the best state in Nigeria for raising a family.

The report, titled Where Nigerian Families Actually Thrive, reviewed living conditions in eight states between January and May 2026.

It was based on two surveys: a Quality of Life Survey with 442 respondents and a Power Survey with 191 respondents.

Researchers looked at 15 factors including income, healthcare, electricity, childcare, education, safety, housing costs, and general living conditions.

Why Kano ranked first

According to the report, Kano performed strongly in several important areas.

Residents rated the state highly for:

Electricity supply

Safety and security

Affordable cost of living

Easy access to childcare services

SBM Intelligence noted that although incomes in Kano may not be as high as in some commercial cities, lower living costs and improved public safety make it more suitable for family life.

The report said the findings challenge the belief that richer or more commercially active cities automatically offer a better environment for raising children.

Other states’ performance

Rivers State ranked second because of better healthcare services, stronger family stability, and fewer disruptions to daily life.

Abuja placed fourth, scoring well in income levels and social support but losing points because of rising living costs and concerns about electricity in the future.

Cross River ranked last among the states studied. The report said many residents expressed concerns about:

Poor infrastructure

Weak healthcare services

Unstable electricity supply

Declining education standards

Nearly nine out of ten respondents in Cross River reportedly said they would prefer to relocate.

Challenges in major cities

The report also pointed out that Lagos continues to face high housing costs and affordability challenges despite remaining Nigeria’s business centre.

It highlighted that Kano’s security efforts, including a 2,000-member neighbourhood watch system and cooperation with neighbouring states, may have contributed to its high safety rating.

In Anambra, government efforts to improve electricity supply through changes in power distribution were mentioned, although residents still rated power reliability poorly.

Additional context

The report comes as Kano State continues to invest in development projects.

Recent approvals by the state government include funding for roads, healthcare, education, social welfare, and infrastructure aimed at improving living conditions across the state.

Source: Nairametrics