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States of Nigeria
First-level administrative divisions of Nigeria
First-level administrative divisions of Nigeria
| Field | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| name | States of Nigeria | |
| map | [[File:Nigeria location map.svg | 300px]] |
| category | Federated states | |
| territory | Federal Republic of Nigeria | |
| current_number | 36 | |
| population_range | 1,704,358 (Bayelsa State) – 9,401,288 (Kano State) | |
| Mean: 5,300,000 | ||
| area_range | 1381 sqmi (Lagos State) – 29484 sqmi (Niger State) | |
| Mean: 9907 sqmi | ||
| government | State government | |
| subdivision | Local government area (LGA) |
Mean: 5,300,000 Mean: 9907 sqmi
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.
Current states and the Federal Capital Territory
| Name | ISO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3166-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| code | Seal | Location | City | Geopolitical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| zone | Area | Population | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| estimate) | Density | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (pop/km²) | Capital | Largest | Abia | Adamawa | Akwa Ibom | Anambra | Bauchi | Bayelsa | Benue | Borno | Cross River | Delta | Ebonyi | Edo | Ekiti | Enugu | Federal Capital Territory | Gombe | Imo | Jigawa | Kaduna | Kano | Katsina | Kebbi | Kogi | Kwara | Lagos | Nasarawa | Niger | Ogun | Ondo | Osun | Oyo | Plateau | Rivers | Sokoto | Taraba | Yobe | Zamfara | ||||||||||
| AB | [[File:Abia State Coat of Arms.gif | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Abia.svg | 80px]] | Umuahia | Aba | South East | 6320 km2 | 3,841,943 | 607 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AD | [[File:Seal of Adamawa State.png | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Adamawa.svg | 80px]] | Yola | North East | 36917 km2 | 4,536,948 | 123 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AK | [[File:The Emblem of Akwa Ibom State.jpg | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Akwa Ibom.svg | 80px]] | Uyo | South South | 7081 km2 | 4,780,581 | 675 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AN | [[File:Nigeria - Anambra.svg | 80px]] | Awka | Onitsha | South East | 4844 km2 | 5,599,910 | 1,157 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BA | [[File:BAUCHI state coat.png | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Bauchi.svg | 80px]] | Bauchi | North East | 45893 km2 | 7,540,663 | 164 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BY | [[File:Nigeria - Bayelsa.svg | 80px]] | Yenagoa | South South | 10773 km2 | 2,394,725 | 222 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BE | [[File:Seal of Benue State.png | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Benue.svg | 80px]] | Makurdi | North Central | 34059 km2 | 5,787,706 | 170 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BO | [[File:Seal of Borno State.png | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Borno.svg | 80px]] | Maiduguri | North East | 70898 km2 | 5,751,590 | 81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CR | [[File:Coat of arms state Cross River.jpg | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Cross River.svg | 80px]] | Calabar | South South | 20156 km2 | 4,175,020 | 207 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DE | [[File:Nigeria - Delta.svg | 80px]] | Asaba | South South | 17698 km2 | 5,307,543 | 300 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EB | [[File:Nigeria - Ebonyi.svg | 80px]] | Abakaliki | South East | 6400 km2 | 3,007,155 | 470 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ED | [[File:Seal of Edo State.png | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Edo.svg | 80px]] | Benin City | South South | 19559 km2 | 4,461,137 | 228 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EK | [[File:Nigeria - Ekiti.svg | 80px]] | Ado Ekiti | South West | 6353 km2 | 3,350,401 | 528 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EN | [[File:Enugu state Coat of Arms.jpg | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Enugu.svg | 80px]] | Enugu | South East | 13161 km2 | 4,396,098 | 334 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FC | [[File:Nigeria Federal Capital Territory map.png | 80x80px]] | Abuja | North Central | 7315 km2 | 1,406,239 | 192 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GO | [[File:Nigeria - Gombe.svg | 80px]] | Gombe | North East | 18768 km2 | 3,623,462 | 193 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IM | [[File:Seal 2014-06-25 00-44.jpg | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Imo.svg | 80px]] | Owerri | South East | 5530 km2 | 5,167,722 | 935 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JI | [[File:Nigeria - Jigawa.svg | 80px]] | Dutse | North West | 23154 km2 | 6,779,080 | 293 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KD | [[File:Nigeria - Kaduna.svg | 80px]] | Kaduna | North West | 46053 km2 | 8,324,285 | 181 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KN | [[File:Seal of Kano.png | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Kano.svg | 80px]] | Kano | North West | 20131 km2 | 14,253,549 | 708 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KT | [[File:Nigeria - Katsina.svg | 80px]] | Katsina | North West | 24192 km2 | 9,300,382 | 384 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KE | [[File:Seal of Kebbi State.png | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Kebbi.svg | 80px]] | Birnin Kebbi | North West | 36800 km2 | 5,001,610 | 136 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KO | [[File:Nigeria - Kogi.svg | 80px]] | Lokoja | North Central | 29833 km2 | 4,153,734 | 139 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KW | [[File:Nigeria - Kwara.svg | 80px]] | Ilorin | North Central | 36825 km2 | 3,259,613 | 89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LA | [[File:Lagos Seal.png | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Lagos.svg | 80px]] | Ikeja | Lagos | South West | 3577 km2 | 12,772,884 | 3572 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NA | [[File:Seal of Nasarawa State.svg | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Nasarawa.svg | 80px]] | Lafia | North Central | 26256 km2 | 2,632,239 | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NI | [[File:Nigeria - Niger.svg | 80px]] | Minna | North Central | 76363 km2 | 6,220,617 | 81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OG | [[File:Nigeria - Ogun.svg | 80px]] | Abeokuta | South West | 16981 km2 | 5,945,275 | 350 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ON | [[File:Seal of Ondo State.png | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Ondo.svg | 80px]] | Akure | South West | 15500 km2 | 4,969,707 | 321 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OS | [[File:Nigeria - Osun.svg | 80px]] | Osogbo | South West | 9251 km2 | 4,237,396 | 458 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OY | [[File:Oyo State Coat of Arms.png | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Oyo.svg | 80px]] | Ibadan | South West | 28454 km2 | 7,512,855 | 264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PL | [[File:Plateau State Coat of arms.jpg | 50x50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Plateau.svg | 80px]] | Jos | North Central | 30913 km2 | 4,400,974 | 142 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RI | [[File:Nigeria - Rivers.svg | 80px]] | Port Harcourt | South South | 11077 km2 | 7,034,973 | 635 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SO | [[File:Nigeria - Sokoto.svg | 80px]] | Sokoto | North West | 25973 km2 | 5,863,187 | 226 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TA | [[File:Nigeria - Taraba.svg | 80px]] | Jalingo | North East | 54473 km2 | 3,331,885 | 61 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| YO | [[File:Yobe State Government.png | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Yobe.svg | 80px]] | Damaturu | Potiskum | North East | 45502 km2 | 3,398,177 | 75 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ZA | [[File:Seal of Zamfara State Government.jpg | 50px]] | [[File:Nigeria - Zamfara.svg | 80px]] | Gusau | North West | 39762 km2 | 5,317,793 | 134 |
Evolution of Nigerian administrative divisions
| 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. | [[File:Nigeria 1960-1963.png | 300px | right]] | |
| **1963–1967** | In 1963, a new region, the Mid-Western Region, was created from the Western Region. | [[File:Nigeria 1963-1967.png | 300px | right]] | |
| **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. | [[File:Nigeria states-1967-1976.png | 300px | right]] | |
| **1976–1987** | In 1976, seven new states were created, making 19 altogether. | [[File:Nigeria states-1976-1987.png | 300px | right]] | |
| **1987–1991** | During this period, there were 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory. | [[File:Nigeria states 1987-1991.png | 300px | right]] | |
| **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. | [[File:Nigeria 1991-1996.png | 300px | right]] |
Government
States of Nigeria have the right to organize and 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 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 the 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.
Chronology
| Regions | States |
|---|---|
| **1960** | **1963** |
| Eastern | South-Eastern |
| Cross River | |
| East Central | Imo |
| Abia | |
| Anambra | Enugu |
| Enugu | |
| Anambra | |
| Rivers | Bayelsa |
| Rivers | |
| Western | Mid-Western |
| Edo | |
| Western | Lagos |
| Western | Ogun |
| Ondo | Ekiti |
| Ondo | |
| Oyo | Osun |
| Oyo | |
| Northern | Benue-Plateau |
| Plateau | |
| Benue | Benue |
| Kogi | |
| Kwara | |
| Kwara | |
| Kano | Jigawa |
| Kano | |
| North Central | Kaduna |
| Katsina | |
| North Western | Niger |
| Sokoto | Kebbi |
| Sokoto | Sokoto |
| Zamfara | |
| North Eastern | Bauchi |
| Gombe | |
| Borno | Borno |
| Yobe | |
| Gongola | Adamawa |
| Taraba |
Notes
Sources
References
- "Federal Capital Territory (FCT) {{!}} Location & Geography {{!}} Britannica".
- [http://www.usaid.gov/ng/admin_divisions.htm "USAID Nigeria mission: Nigeria administrative divisions"] {{Webarchive. link. (2007-01-13 United States Agency for International Development, October 2004, last accessed 21 April 2010)
- "1999 Constitution of Nigeria".
- [https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/download/1241121 Demographic Statistics Bulletin 2020]
- 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
- (1985-01-01). "Judicial Independence: The Contemporary Debate". Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.
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