States of Nigeria

Nigeria is a federation of 36 states and 1 Federal Capital Territory. Each of the 36 states is a semi-autonomous political unit that shares powers with the Federal Government as enumerated under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Federal Capital Territory, also known as FCT, is the capital of Nigeria and located in the city of Abuja. FCT is not a state but is administered by elected officials who are supervised by the Federal Government. Each state is sub-divided into Local Government Areas (LGAs). There are currently a total of 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.[1] Under the Constitution, the 36 states are co-equal but not supreme because sovereignty resides with the Federal Government. The constitution can be amended by the National Assembly, but each amendment must be ratified by two-thirds of the 36 states of the federation.

Nigeria
CategoryFederation
LocationNigeria
Number36
Populations1,704,358 (Bayelsa State) – 9,401,288 (Lagos State)
Mean: 5,300,000
Areas3,580 km2 (1,381 sq mi) (Lagos State) – 76,360 km2 (29,484 sq mi) (Niger State)
Mean: 25,660 km2 (9,907 sq mi)
GovernmentState government
SubdivisionsLocal Government Area (LGA)
Nigeria
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Current states and the Federal Capital Territory
A clickable map of Nigeria showing its 36 states and the federal capital territory.
A clickable map of Nigeria exhibiting its 36 states and the federal capital territory.
States
Territory
Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Evolution of Nigerian states
DateEventsMap
1960-1963At the time of independence in 1960, Nigeria was a Federal State of three Regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern. Additionally, provinces, which were a legacy of colonial and protectorate times, remained extant until they were abolished in 1976.
1963-1967In 1963, a new region, the Mid-Western Region, was created from the Western Region.
1967-1976In 1967, the regions were replaced by 12 states by military decree. From 1967 to 1970 the Eastern Region attempted to secede, as a nation called Biafra during the Nigerian civil war.
1976-1987In 1976, seven new states were created, making 19 altogether.[2]
1987-1991During this period, there were 21 states and the Federal Capital territory, Abuja.
1991-1996During this period, there were 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Federal Capital Territory was established in 1991. In 1987 two new states were established, followed by another nine in 1991, bringing the total to 30. The latest change, in 1996, resulted in the present number of 36 states.

in the near future (2022/2023),there might be a oofed Yobe State,or Abuja would become a state (or gain statehood i.e. become a state with respect in the capital).

Government

As sovereign entities, States of Nigeria have the right to organize/structure their individual governments in any way within the parameters set by the Constitution of Nigeria.

Legislature

At the State level, the legislature is unicameral, with the number of its members equal to three times the number of legislators it has in the Federal House of Representatives. It has the power to legislate on matters on the concurrent list.

Executive

At the State level, the head of the executive is called the Governor, who has the power to appoint people to the State Executive Council, subject to the advice and consent of the State House of Assembly (Legislature). The head of a ministry at the State level is called a commissioner, who is assisted by a permanent secretary, who is also a senior civil servant of the State.

Judiciary

The Judiciary is one of the co-equal arms of the State government concerned with the interpretation of the laws of the State government. The Judiciary is headed by the Chief Justice of the State appointed by the governor subject to the approval of the State House of Assembly.[3]

Chronology
Regions States
1960 1963 1967 1976 1987 1991 1996
Eastern South-Eastern Cross-River Akwa Ibom
Cross-River
East Central Imo Imo
Abia Abia
Ebonyi
Anambra Enugu
Enugu
Anambra
Rivers Bayelsa
Rivers
Western Mid-Western Bendel Delta
Edo
Western Lagos
Western Ogun
Ondo Ekiti
Ondo
Oyo Osun
Oyo
Northern Benue-Plateau Plateau Nasarawa
Plateau
Benue Benue
Kogi
Kwara
Kwara
Kano Jigawa
Kano
North Central Kaduna Kaduna
Katsina
North Western Niger
Sokoto Kebbi
Sokoto Sokoto
Zamfara
North Eastern Bauchi Bauchi
Gombe
Borno Borno
Yobe
Gongola Adamawa
Taraba

See also

Notes
  1. "USAID Nigeria mission: Nigeria administrative divisions" Archived 2007-01-13 at the Wayback Machine United States Agency for International Development, October 2004, last accessed 21 April 2010
  2. Kraxberger, Brennan (2005) "Strangers, Indigenes and Settlers: Contested Geographies of Citizenship in Nigeria" Space and Polity 9(1): pp. 9-27, pages 10, 11, & 15
  3. Shetreet, Shimon; Deschênes, Jules (1985-01-01). Judicial Independence: The Contemporary Debate. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. ISBN 978-90-247-3182-4.

Sources
  • Gboyega Ajayi (2007). The military and the Nigerian state, 1966-1993: a study of the strategies of political power control. Trenton, New Jersey: Africa World Press. ISBN 978-1-59221-568-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Solomon Akhere Benjamin (1999). The 1996 state and local government reorganizations in Nigeria. Ibadan: Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research. ISBN 978-181-238-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Rotimi T. Suberu (1994). 1991 state and local government reorganizations in Nigeria. Ibadan: Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. ISBN 978-2015-28-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

States And Capital In Nigeria, Their Slogans & Current Governors A comprehensive list of all states in Nigeria and their current governors.

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