Kano Tops SBM Livability Ranking as Survey Names Nigeria’s Most Family-Friendly States
Kano State has emerged as Nigeria’s most livable city for families, according to a new SBM Intelligence survey that assessed safety, childcare access, electricity supply, affordability, and overall quality of life across eight states.
The report, released on Tuesday, surveyed 442 respondents across Abuja, Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Kano, Lagos, Oyo, and Rivers between April and May 2026, alongside a separate power-focused survey involving 191 respondents.
Findings from the composite five-point scoring system showed Kano leading the rankings, driven by strong performance in safety, affordable daily living, childcare access, and relatively stable electricity supply.
According to the report, about 80.4 per cent of respondents in Kano said they felt safe or very safe, while many also noted ease of raising families due to strong community support systems and lower cost of living compared to other urban centres.
Rivers State followed Kano in the overall ranking, with the report highlighting its relatively stable family environment, healthcare performance, and lower disruption levels. Cross River State, however, ranked last, performing poorly across most indicators including safety, education, healthcare, and affordability.
Abuja, despite higher income levels, placed fourth due to rising living costs and concerns over power supply, while Lagos continued to struggle with affordability pressures, especially in housing and daily expenses.
The survey also revealed sharp income disparities, with Abuja recording the highest earnings but also facing significant cost-of-living strain. Kano, while ranking lowest in income, was noted for offering better day-to-day affordability and stronger informal support networks.
On education and healthcare, Kano, Abuja, and Rivers performed relatively well in school quality and healthcare delivery, while Cross River again ranked lowest due to weak public services and rising informal costs.
Electricity supply remained a major national concern, with Anambra recording the worst performance. Kano, by contrast, recorded one of the strongest power supply experiences among respondents.
The report also highlighted relocation intentions, showing that nearly half of respondents in Lagos and Anambra expressed interest in leaving their states due to high costs and service challenges. Abuja remained the most preferred destination despite its own affordability issues.
SBM Intelligence recommended urgent reforms in states with weak performance, particularly urging improved infrastructure, social services, and affordability policies. It also called for federal and state-level efforts to replicate Kano’s strengths in childcare support, safety, and community resilience.
The report concluded that while Nigeria’s urban centres show varying strengths, affordability, security, and basic service delivery remain the strongest determinants of quality of life for families across the country.
