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States of Nigeria

Updated: Wikipedia source

States of Nigeria

Nigeria is a federation of 36 states, each of which is a semi-autonomous political unit that shares power with the federal government as enumerated under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In addition to the states, there is the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in which the capital city of Abuja is located. The FCT is not a state, but a territory of the federal government, governed by an administration headed by a minister. Each state is subdivided into local government areas (LGAs). There are 774 local governments in Nigeria. Under the Nigerian Constitution, the 36 states enjoy substantial autonomy but are not sovereign entities, as ultimate authority lies with the federal government. Amendments to the constitution can be proposed by the National Assembly, but for an amendment to be valid, it must be approved by a two-third majority of the 36 state legislatures, as required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

Infobox

Areas
3,580 km2 (1,381 sq mi) (Lagos State) – 76,360 km2 (29,484 sq mi) (Niger State)Mean: 25,660 km2 (9,907 sq mi)
Number
36
Category
Federated states
Location
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Government
State government
Populations
1,704,358 (Bayelsa State) – 9,401,288 (Kano State)Mean: 5,300,000
Subdivisions
Local government area (LGA)

Tables

States of Nigeria · Current states and the Federal Capital Territory
Capital
Capital
Name
Capital
ISO3166-2code
Largest
Abia
Abia
Name
Abia
ISO3166-2code
AB
Seal
Location
City
Umuahia
City
Aba
Geopoliticalzone
South East
Area
6,320 km2 (2,440 sq mi)
Population(2019estimate)
3,841,943
Density(pop/km²)
607
Adamawa
Adamawa
Name
Adamawa
ISO3166-2code
AD
Seal
Location
City
Yola
City
North East
Geopoliticalzone
36,917 km2 (14,254 sq mi)
Area
4,536,948
Population(2019estimate)
123
Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom
Name
Akwa Ibom
ISO3166-2code
AK
Seal
Location
City
Uyo
City
South South
Geopoliticalzone
7,081 km2 (2,734 sq mi)
Area
4,780,581
Population(2019estimate)
675
Anambra
Anambra
Name
Anambra
ISO3166-2code
AN
Location
City
Awka
City
Onitsha
Geopoliticalzone
South East
Area
4,844 km2 (1,870 sq mi)
Population(2019estimate)
5,599,910
Density(pop/km²)
1,157
Bauchi
Bauchi
Name
Bauchi
ISO3166-2code
BA
Seal
Location
City
Bauchi
City
North East
Geopoliticalzone
45,893 km2 (17,719 sq mi)
Area
7,540,663
Population(2019estimate)
164
Bayelsa
Bayelsa
Name
Bayelsa
ISO3166-2code
BY
Location
City
Yenagoa
City
South South
Geopoliticalzone
10,773 km2 (4,159 sq mi)
Area
2,394,725
Population(2019estimate)
222
Benue
Benue
Name
Benue
ISO3166-2code
BE
Seal
Location
City
Makurdi
City
North Central
Geopoliticalzone
34,059 km2 (13,150 sq mi)
Area
5,787,706
Population(2019estimate)
170
Borno
Borno
Name
Borno
ISO3166-2code
BO
Seal
Location
City
Maiduguri
City
North East
Geopoliticalzone
70,898 km2 (27,374 sq mi)
Area
5,751,590
Population(2019estimate)
81
Cross River
Cross River
Name
Cross River
ISO3166-2code
CR
Seal
Location
City
Calabar
City
South South
Geopoliticalzone
20,156 km2 (7,782 sq mi)
Area
4,175,020
Population(2019estimate)
207
Delta
Delta
Name
Delta
ISO3166-2code
DE
Location
City
Asaba
City
South South
Geopoliticalzone
17,698 km2 (6,833 sq mi)
Area
5,307,543
Population(2019estimate)
300
Ebonyi
Ebonyi
Name
Ebonyi
ISO3166-2code
EB
Location
City
Abakaliki
City
South East
Geopoliticalzone
6,400 km2 (2,500 sq mi)
Area
3,007,155
Population(2019estimate)
470
Edo
Edo
Name
Edo
ISO3166-2code
ED
Seal
Location
City
Benin City
City
South South
Geopoliticalzone
19,559 km2 (7,552 sq mi)
Area
4,461,137
Population(2019estimate)
228
Ekiti
Ekiti
Name
Ekiti
ISO3166-2code
EK
Location
City
Ado Ekiti
City
South West
Geopoliticalzone
6,353 km2 (2,453 sq mi)
Area
3,350,401
Population(2019estimate)
528
Enugu
Enugu
Name
Enugu
ISO3166-2code
EN
Seal
Location
City
Enugu
City
South East
Geopoliticalzone
13,161 km2 (5,081 sq mi)
Area
4,396,098
Population(2019estimate)
334
Federal Capital Territory
Federal Capital Territory
Name
Federal Capital Territory
ISO3166-2code
FC
Location
City
Abuja
City
North Central
Geopoliticalzone
7,315 km2 (2,824 sq mi)
Area
1,406,239
Population(2019estimate)
192
Gombe
Gombe
Name
Gombe
ISO3166-2code
GO
Location
City
Gombe
City
North East
Geopoliticalzone
18,768 km2 (7,246 sq mi)
Area
3,623,462
Population(2019estimate)
193
Imo
Imo
Name
Imo
ISO3166-2code
IM
Seal
Location
City
Owerri
City
South East
Geopoliticalzone
5,530 km2 (2,140 sq mi)
Area
5,167,722
Population(2019estimate)
935
Jigawa
Jigawa
Name
Jigawa
ISO3166-2code
JI
Seal
Location
City
Dutse
City
North West
Geopoliticalzone
23,154 km2 (8,940 sq mi)
Area
6,779,080
Population(2019estimate)
293
Kaduna
Kaduna
Name
Kaduna
ISO3166-2code
KD
Location
City
Kaduna
City
North West
Geopoliticalzone
46,053 km2 (17,781 sq mi)
Area
8,324,285
Population(2019estimate)
181
Kano
Kano
Name
Kano
ISO3166-2code
KN
Seal
Location
City
Kano
City
North West
Geopoliticalzone
20,131 km2 (7,773 sq mi)
Area
14,253,549
Population(2019estimate)
708
Katsina
Katsina
Name
Katsina
ISO3166-2code
KT
Location
City
Katsina
City
North West
Geopoliticalzone
24,192 km2 (9,341 sq mi)
Area
9,300,382
Population(2019estimate)
384
Kebbi
Kebbi
Name
Kebbi
ISO3166-2code
KE
Seal
Location
City
Birnin Kebbi
City
North West
Geopoliticalzone
36,800 km2 (14,200 sq mi)
Area
5,001,610
Population(2019estimate)
136
Kogi
Kogi
Name
Kogi
ISO3166-2code
KO
Location
City
Lokoja
City
North Central
Geopoliticalzone
29,833 km2 (11,519 sq mi)
Area
4,153,734
Population(2019estimate)
139
Kwara
Kwara
Name
Kwara
ISO3166-2code
KW
Location
City
Ilorin
City
North Central
Geopoliticalzone
36,825 km2 (14,218 sq mi)
Area
3,259,613
Population(2019estimate)
89
Lagos
Lagos
Name
Lagos
ISO3166-2code
LA
Seal
Location
City
Ikeja
City
Lagos
Geopoliticalzone
South West
Area
3,577 km2 (1,381 sq mi)
Population(2019estimate)
12,772,884
Density(pop/km²)
3572
Nasarawa
Nasarawa
Name
Nasarawa
ISO3166-2code
NA
Seal
Location
City
Lafia
City
North Central
Geopoliticalzone
26,256 km2 (10,137 sq mi)
Area
2,632,239
Population(2019estimate)
100
Niger
Niger
Name
Niger
ISO3166-2code
NI
Location
City
Minna
City
North Central
Geopoliticalzone
76,363 km2 (29,484 sq mi)
Area
6,220,617
Population(2019estimate)
81
Ogun
Ogun
Name
Ogun
ISO3166-2code
OG
Location
City
Abeokuta
City
South West
Geopoliticalzone
16,981 km2 (6,556 sq mi)
Area
5,945,275
Population(2019estimate)
350
Ondo
Ondo
Name
Ondo
ISO3166-2code
ON
Seal
Location
City
Akure
City
South West
Geopoliticalzone
15,500 km2 (6,000 sq mi)
Area
4,969,707
Population(2019estimate)
321
Osun
Osun
Name
Osun
ISO3166-2code
OS
Location
City
Osogbo
City
South West
Geopoliticalzone
9,251 km2 (3,572 sq mi)
Area
4,237,396
Population(2019estimate)
458
Oyo
Oyo
Name
Oyo
ISO3166-2code
OY
Seal
Location
City
Ibadan
City
South West
Geopoliticalzone
28,454 km2 (10,986 sq mi)
Area
7,512,855
Population(2019estimate)
264
Plateau
Plateau
Name
Plateau
ISO3166-2code
PL
Seal
Location
City
Jos
City
North Central
Geopoliticalzone
30,913 km2 (11,936 sq mi)
Area
4,400,974
Population(2019estimate)
142
Rivers
Rivers
Name
Rivers
ISO3166-2code
RI
Location
City
Port Harcourt
City
South South
Geopoliticalzone
11,077 km2 (4,277 sq mi)
Area
7,034,973
Population(2019estimate)
635
Sokoto
Sokoto
Name
Sokoto
ISO3166-2code
SO
Location
City
Sokoto
City
North West
Geopoliticalzone
25,973 km2 (10,028 sq mi)
Area
5,863,187
Population(2019estimate)
226
Taraba
Taraba
Name
Taraba
ISO3166-2code
TA
Location
City
Jalingo
City
North East
Geopoliticalzone
54,473 km2 (21,032 sq mi)
Area
3,331,885
Population(2019estimate)
61
Yobe
Yobe
Name
Yobe
ISO3166-2code
YO
Seal
Location
City
Damaturu
City
Potiskum
Geopoliticalzone
North East
Area
45,502 km2 (17,568 sq mi)
Population(2019estimate)
3,398,177
Density(pop/km²)
75
Zamfara
Zamfara
Name
Zamfara
ISO3166-2code
ZA
Seal
Location
City
Gusau
City
North West
Geopoliticalzone
39,762 km2 (15,352 sq mi)
Area
5,317,793
Population(2019estimate)
134
Name
ISO3166-2code
Seal
Location
City
Geopoliticalzone
Area
Population(2019estimate)
Density(pop/km²)
Capital
Largest
Abia
AB
Umuahia
Aba
South East
6,320 km2 (2,440 sq mi)
3,841,943
607
Adamawa
AD
Yola
North East
36,917 km2 (14,254 sq mi)
4,536,948
123
Akwa Ibom
AK
Uyo
South South
7,081 km2 (2,734 sq mi)
4,780,581
675
Anambra
AN
Awka
Onitsha
South East
4,844 km2 (1,870 sq mi)
5,599,910
1,157
Bauchi
BA
Bauchi
North East
45,893 km2 (17,719 sq mi)
7,540,663
164
Bayelsa
BY
Yenagoa
South South
10,773 km2 (4,159 sq mi)
2,394,725
222
Benue
BE
Makurdi
North Central
34,059 km2 (13,150 sq mi)
5,787,706
170
Borno
BO
Maiduguri
North East
70,898 km2 (27,374 sq mi)
5,751,590
81
Cross River
CR
Calabar
South South
20,156 km2 (7,782 sq mi)
4,175,020
207
Delta
DE
Asaba
South South
17,698 km2 (6,833 sq mi)
5,307,543
300
Ebonyi
EB
Abakaliki
South East
6,400 km2 (2,500 sq mi)
3,007,155
470
Edo
ED
Benin City
South South
19,559 km2 (7,552 sq mi)
4,461,137
228
Ekiti
EK
Ado Ekiti
South West
6,353 km2 (2,453 sq mi)
3,350,401
528
Enugu
EN
Enugu
South East
13,161 km2 (5,081 sq mi)
4,396,098
334
Federal Capital Territory
FC
Abuja
North Central
7,315 km2 (2,824 sq mi)
1,406,239
192
Gombe
GO
Gombe
North East
18,768 km2 (7,246 sq mi)
3,623,462
193
Imo
IM
Owerri
South East
5,530 km2 (2,140 sq mi)
5,167,722
935
Jigawa
JI
Dutse
North West
23,154 km2 (8,940 sq mi)
6,779,080
293
Kaduna
KD
Kaduna
North West
46,053 km2 (17,781 sq mi)
8,324,285
181
Kano
KN
Kano
North West
20,131 km2 (7,773 sq mi)
14,253,549
708
Katsina
KT
Katsina
North West
24,192 km2 (9,341 sq mi)
9,300,382
384
Kebbi
KE
Birnin Kebbi
North West
36,800 km2 (14,200 sq mi)
5,001,610
136
Kogi
KO
Lokoja
North Central
29,833 km2 (11,519 sq mi)
4,153,734
139
Kwara
KW
Ilorin
North Central
36,825 km2 (14,218 sq mi)
3,259,613
89
Lagos
LA
Ikeja
Lagos
South West
3,577 km2 (1,381 sq mi)
12,772,884
3572
Nasarawa
NA
Lafia
North Central
26,256 km2 (10,137 sq mi)
2,632,239
100
Niger
NI
Minna
North Central
76,363 km2 (29,484 sq mi)
6,220,617
81
Ogun
OG
Abeokuta
South West
16,981 km2 (6,556 sq mi)
5,945,275
350
Ondo
ON
Akure
South West
15,500 km2 (6,000 sq mi)
4,969,707
321
Osun
OS
Osogbo
South West
9,251 km2 (3,572 sq mi)
4,237,396
458
Oyo
OY
Ibadan
South West
28,454 km2 (10,986 sq mi)
7,512,855
264
Plateau
PL
Jos
North Central
30,913 km2 (11,936 sq mi)
4,400,974
142
Rivers
RI
Port Harcourt
South South
11,077 km2 (4,277 sq mi)
7,034,973
635
Sokoto
SO
Sokoto
North West
25,973 km2 (10,028 sq mi)
5,863,187
226
Taraba
TA
Jalingo
North East
54,473 km2 (21,032 sq mi)
3,331,885
61
Yobe
YO
Damaturu
Potiskum
North East
45,502 km2 (17,568 sq mi)
3,398,177
75
Zamfara
ZA
Gusau
North West
39,762 km2 (15,352 sq mi)
5,317,793
134
· Evolution of Nigerian administrative divisions
1960–1963
1960–1963
Date
1960–1963
Events
At 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.
Map
1963–1967
1963–1967
Date
1963–1967
Events
In 1963, a new region, the Mid-Western Region, was created from the Western Region.
Map
1967–1976
1967–1976
Date
1967–1976
Events
In 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. The Mid-Western Region was renamed to the State of Bendel during this period.
Map
1976–1987
1976–1987
Date
1976–1987
Events
In 1976, seven new states were created, making 19 altogether.
Map
1987–1991
1987–1991
Date
1987–1991
Events
During this period, there were 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Map
1991–1996
1991–1996
Date
1991–1996
Events
During 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.
Map
Date
Events
Map
1960–1963
At 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.
1963–1967
In 1963, a new region, the Mid-Western Region, was created from the Western Region.
1967–1976
In 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. The Mid-Western Region was renamed to the State of Bendel during this period.
1976–1987
In 1976, seven new states were created, making 19 altogether.
1987–1991
During this period, there were 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
1991–1996
During 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.
· Chronology
1960
1960
Regions
1960
Regions
1963
States
1967
States
1976
States
1987
States
1991
States
1996
Eastern
Eastern
Regions
Eastern
Regions
South-Eastern
States
Cross River
States
Akwa Ibom
Cross River
Cross River
Regions
Cross River
East Central
East Central
Regions
East Central
Regions
Imo
States
Imo
Abia
Abia
Regions
Abia
Anambra
Anambra
Regions
Anambra
Regions
Enugu
States
Ebonyi
Enugu
Enugu
Regions
Enugu
Anambra
Anambra
Regions
Anambra
Rivers
Rivers
Regions
Rivers
Regions
Bayelsa
Rivers
Rivers
Regions
Rivers
Western
Western
Regions
Western
Regions
Mid-Western
States
Bendel
States
Delta
Edo
Edo
Regions
Edo
Western
Western
Regions
Western
Regions
Lagos
Western
Western
Regions
Western
Regions
Ogun
Ondo
Ondo
Regions
Ondo
Regions
Ekiti
Ondo
Ondo
Regions
Ondo
Oyo
Oyo
Regions
Oyo
Regions
Osun
Oyo
Oyo
Regions
Oyo
Northern
Northern
Regions
Northern
Regions
Benue-Plateau
States
Plateau
States
Nasarawa
Plateau
Plateau
Regions
Plateau
Benue
Benue
Regions
Benue
Regions
Benue
Kogi
Kogi
Regions
Kogi
Kwara
Kwara
Regions
Kwara
Kwara
Kwara
Regions
Kwara
Kano
Kano
Regions
Kano
Regions
Jigawa
Kano
Kano
Regions
Kano
North Central
North Central
Regions
North Central
Regions
Kaduna
States
Kaduna
Katsina
Katsina
Regions
Katsina
North Western
North Western
Regions
North Western
Regions
Niger
Sokoto
Sokoto
Regions
Sokoto
Regions
Kebbi
Sokoto
Sokoto
Regions
Sokoto
Regions
Sokoto
Zamfara
Zamfara
Regions
Zamfara
North Eastern
North Eastern
Regions
North Eastern
Regions
Bauchi
States
Bauchi
Gombe
Gombe
Regions
Gombe
Borno
Borno
Regions
Borno
Regions
Borno
Yobe
Yobe
Regions
Yobe
Gongola
Gongola
Regions
Gongola
Regions
Adamawa
Taraba
Taraba
Regions
Taraba
Regions
States
1960
1963
1967
1976
1987
1991
1996
Eastern
South-Eastern
Cross River
Akwa Ibom
Cross River
East Central
Imo
Imo
Abia
Anambra
Enugu
Ebonyi
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

References

  1. www.britannica.com
    https://www.britannica.com/place/Abuja-federal-capital-territory-Nigeria
  2. "USAID Nigeria mission: Nigeria administrative divisions" Archived 2007-01-13 at the Wayback Machine United States Agenc
    http://www.usaid.gov/ng/admin_divisions.htm
  3. "1999 Constitution of Nigeria"
    https://www.constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/1999_Constitution.pdf
  4. Demographic Statistics Bulletin 2020
    https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/download/1241121
  5. Kraxberger, Brennan (2005) "Strangers, Indigenes and Settlers: Contested Geographies of Citizenship in Nigeria" Space an
  6. Judicial Independence: The Contemporary Debate
    https://books.google.com/books?id=jEG0KVCu_soC&pg=PA254
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