Camels in Nigeria
Nigeria had 279,135 camels in 2024, the 19th largest in the world (0.63% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 0.0%. The record was 280,703 head in 2020.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 279,135 head
- World rank
- 19 of 46
- 10-year change
- −0.0%
- Record
- 280,703 head
- 2020
Camels in Nigeria, 1961–2024 (head)
Nigeria compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.63%
- 0.87% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −0.0%
- world +38%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Oman | 301,952 | 0.68% |
| 18 | Kazakhstan | 280,522 | 0.63% |
| 19 | Nigeria | 279,135 | 0.63% |
| 20 | Egypt | 247,667 | 0.56% |
| 21 | Tunisia | 239,078 | 0.54% |
Map of camels numbers by country
Share of the world total; Nigeria is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 279,135 | −0.0% |
| 2023 | 279,246 | −0.0% |
| 2022 | 279,355 | −0.0% |
| 2021 | 279,468 | −0.4% |
| 2020 | 280,703 | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 280,346 | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 280,009 | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 279,677 | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 279,397 | −0.0% |
| 2015 | 279,534 | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 279,215 | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 278,561 | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 278,283 | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 278,005 | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 277,727 | +6.8% |
| 2009 | 260,000 | +8.3% |
| 2008 | 240,000 | +9.1% |
| 2007 | 220,000 | +10% |
| 2006 | 200,000 | +11% |
| 2005 | 180,000 | +13% |
| 2004 | 160,000 | +14% |
| 2003 | 140,000 | +17% |
| 2002 | 120,000 | +20% |
| 2001 | 100,000 | +25% |
| 2000 | 80,000 | +33% |
| 1999 | 60,000 | +50% |
| 1998 | 40,000 | +100% |
| 1997 | 20,000 | +4.7% |
| 1996 | 19,105 | +28% |
| 1995 | 14,881 | −17% |
| 1994 | 18,000 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | 18,000 | 0.0% |
| 1992 | 18,000 | 0.0% |
| 1991 | 18,000 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | 18,000 | 0.0% |
| 1989 | 18,000 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | 18,000 | 0.0% |
| 1987 | 18,000 | +0.6% |
| 1986 | 17,900 | +0.3% |
| 1985 | 17,850 | +0.3% |
| 1984 | 17,800 | 0.0% |
| 1983 | 17,800 | +0.6% |
| 1982 | 17,700 | +1.7% |
| 1981 | 17,400 | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 17,200 | +1.2% |
| 1979 | 17,000 | 0.0% |
| 1978 | 17,000 | 0.0% |
| 1977 | 17,000 | 0.0% |
| 1976 | 17,000 | −2.9% |
| 1975 | 17,500 | −0.6% |
| 1974 | 17,600 | −2.2% |
| 1973 | 18,000 | −5.3% |
| 1972 | 19,000 | −5.0% |
| 1971 | 20,000 | +5.3% |
| 1970 | 19,000 | +5.6% |
| 1969 | 18,000 | 0.0% |
| 1968 | 18,000 | +5.9% |
| 1967 | 17,000 | +3.0% |
| 1966 | 16,500 | +3.1% |
| 1965 | 16,000 | +6.7% |
| 1964 | 15,000 | +3.4% |
| 1963 | 14,500 | 0.0% |
| 1962 | 14,500 | +3.6% |
| 1961 | 14,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many camels are there in Nigeria?
Nigeria had 279,135 camels in 2024, 0.63% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Nigeria rank in the world by number of camels?
Nigeria ranked 19th of 46 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in Chad with 25.7% of the world total.
How has the number of camels in Nigeria changed?
It fell by 0.0% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +38% for the world. The record was 280,703 head in 2020.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for Nigeria is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.