The question of Nigeria's oldest tribe has sparked considerable debate over time. This thoroughly researched article aims to resolve any existing conflicts.

Contrary to the common belief that Africa lacks recorded history, this is a misconception. Numerous African tribes and kingdoms have preserved their histories through both oral traditions and written records. Additionally, African artifacts, writings, and drawings can be dated using modern technology and compared with the oral histories of various tribes.

Nigeria is home to several ancient tribes, but there can be only one that is the oldest. Before the 1500s, much of what is now modern Nigeria was divided into traditional monarchies, associated with contemporary ethnic groups. These early kingdoms included the Nembe-Brass, Nupe, Igala, Bonny, Kanem-Borno, the Igbo Kingdom of Nri, Benin, the Oyo Empire, Yoruba city-states like Ife, the Sokoto Caliphate, the Kano Emirate, and more. Many of these tribes existed long before they settled in Nigeria. We will consider twelve Nigerian tribes based on their settlement in what is now Nigeria, ranking them from the youngest to the oldest, with brief histories to identify Nigeria's oldest and most ancient tribe.

12. Efik People - 1700 CE
The Efik people primarily reside in southern Nigeria, particularly in Cross River State. Speaking the Efik language, a Benue–Congo language of the Cross River family, they settled in Calabar towards the late 1700s and early 1800s. The Efik are related to the Annang, Ibibio, Oron, Biase, Akamkpa, Uruan, Eket people, and the Balondo Civilization of Congo. They have a significant presence in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon. Oral traditions suggest their migration from Igbo and Ibibio territories to their current location in Creek Town, often referred to as Calabar.

11. Igala People - 1600 CE
The Igala Kingdom was established by Abutu-Eje in the 1600s and ruled by nine high officials called the Igala Mela. Located in an area around the Benue and Niger rivers, now part of Kogi State, the Igala were known for their bravery and warrior reputation. The kingdom reached its peak in the mid-17th century, becoming a significant exporter of various goods, including slaves, to the coastal regions.

10. Nupe People - Mid 1500 CE
The Central Nupe Kingdom was founded in the mid-15th century in central Nigeria. King Jibiri, the first Muslim Nupe king, reigned around 1770. The Nupe Kingdom gained power under Etsu Ma’azu, who died in 1818. The majority of Nupe people are found in Niger, Kwara, Kogi states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT Abuja). They have a rich cultural history and are connected to several other tribes, including the Igala, Gbagyi, Ebira, and Koro.

9. Tiv People - Early 1500 CE
The Tiv people trace their origins to southeastern migration through southern, south-central, and west-central Africa before settling in Nigeria in the early 1500s. They lived in the Benue Valley and maintained a peaceful, dispersed lifestyle without a central government or king. European contact began in the 18th century, and British forces entered Tiv land in 1906, leading to subsequent negotiations.

8. Fulani People - 1400 CE
The Fulani, primarily Muslim people scattered across West Africa, migrated from the Senegal river valley in the late 1400s. They settled in Hausaland and Bornu by the 15th century and established themselves in Macina by the 16th century. Usman dan Fodio led a jihad in the 1790s, resulting in a Fulani empire that included Adamawa, Nupe, and Yorubaland. The Fulani language, Fula, is part of the Niger-Congo family.

7. Benin People - 1200 CE
The Benin Kingdom, established around 1200 CE, was founded by the Edo people who invited a prince from Ife to rule. Oranmiyan, the prince, eventually left, and his son Eweka I became the first Oba of Benin. The kingdom reached its peak under Oba Ewuare I, with Benin City becoming renowned for its massive walls and artistic achievements. The current ruler is Oba Ewuare II.

6. Kanuri People - 1000 CE
The Kanuri people, from the Kanem and Bornu Empires, migrated to Nigeria around 1000 CE. They primarily reside in the northeast corner of Nigeria. Notable Kanuri individuals include former Nigerian head of state General Sani Abacha and former Presidential Candidate Bashir Tofa.

5. Hausa People (Nok Culture) - Late 700 BCE
The Hausa are the largest ethnic group in sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria. The Nok culture, believed to be the ancestral foundation of the Hausa, appeared around 1000 BCE. Daura is considered the cultural center of the Hausa, with Katsina being a significant center of Islamic scholarship. The Hausa have a widespread presence across West Africa.

4. Ibibio People - Mid 700 BCE
The Ibibio people, among the earliest inhabitants of southern Nigeria, settled around 700 BCE. They first arrived in Nigeria and settled at Ibom, later renamed Arochukwu by the Igbo after the Aro-Ibibio war. The Ibibio migrated further south, establishing their current location in present-day Akwa Ibom State. Notable Ibibio individuals include former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio.

3. Yoruba People - Early 700 BCE
The Yoruba people trace their origins to the mid-700 BCE, before the establishment of the Ile-Ife kingdom. Ile-Ife is considered one of Africa's earliest kingdoms.
The Yoruba people have a storied past that dates back to around 700 BCE, long before the establishment of the Ile-Ife kingdom in the 8th century BCE. Initially, the inhabitants of Yorubaland shared a common ethnicity and language but were not yet known as Yoruba. Ile-Ife is revered as the cradle of humanity, with legendary figures like Oba Tala, Oro-gbo (Shango), and Otete (Oduduwa) playing a significant role in its history.
In the 14th century CE, Prince Oranmiyan, a son of Oduduwa, founded the Oyo kingdom and became its first ruler, known as the Alaafin. His family later erected the Staff of Oranmiyan (Opa Oranmiyan) in his honor, which still stands today in a grove in Mopa, Ile-Ife.
Historically, the Yoruba people have been one of the most urbanized groups in Africa, living in well-organized city-states like Òyó-Ilé (Katunga) and Ibadan, which were among the most populous cities on the continent. Today, Lagos (Èkó in Yoruba) is the largest city-state in Africa by population.

2. Ibo People – 750 BCE
The Igbo-Ukwu people, ancestors of the present-day Igbo, were skilled metalworkers, with evidence of iron smelting dating back to 750 BCE in the Nsukka region of Igboland. Excavations have revealed hundreds of bronze and leaded bronze ritual vessels and regalia, showcasing some of the most technically impressive bronzes ever made. The Igbo-Ukwu people were the earliest smiths of copper and its alloys in West Africa, using techniques like hammering, bending, twisting, and incising.

The Nri clan, descendants of Igbo-Ukwu, trace their origins back to around 900 BCE. Nri, the founder of the Nri clan, and Aguleri were sons of Eri and migrated from the Anambra river valley to present-day Nri. The Nri people belong to the Umueri clans, tracing their origins to Eri. Nri was the seat of a powerful state, influencing territories inhabited by other Igbo groups.

Historical evidence suggests that Igbo Ukwu, formerly known as Igbo and Igbo Nkwo, is the true origin of the Igbo people. Pottery and tools dating back to 2500 BCE, similar to later Igbo work, have been found in the Nsukka and Afikpo regions. The Umueri clan’s traditions trace their source to the Anambra valley. Linguistic and cultural evidence identify Owerri, Okigwe, Orlu, Awgu, Udi, and Awka divisions as the Igbo heartland.

1. Ijaw People – 800 BCE
The Izon (Ijaw) people boast a rich cultural heritage, with a history extending over 7,000 years to the fifth millennium BCE (5000 BCE). Archaeological findings confirm their presence in the Niger Delta region since 800 BCE, providing over 3,000 years of historical evidence, this making them Nigeria’s oldest tribe and one of the world’s most ancient people.
By the 12th century, the number of Ijaw states had increased, and by the 16th century, they had formed powerful kingdoms with strong central rule. In the early 15th century, they encountered Europeans and began engaging in trade, often acting as middlemen in the slave trade and acquiring slaves for themselves as a status symbol.
The Ijaws are believed to be descendants of the ancient ORU tribe, with whom they share linguistic and cultural ties. They migrated to West Africa from the Nile Valley and are related to the founders of the Nile Valley civilization.
Today, the Ijaw people primarily occupy Bayelsa State, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, and parts of Akwa Ibom State. With a population of over 19 million, they are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria.

Rubbish list, so where were the tribes before the dumb BCE dates you listed. They just miraculously appeared right?
Nothing like oldest tribes please.