There haven't always been 36 states

At independence in 1960, Nigeria had just one state organised as three Regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern. In 1963, a new Mid-Western Region was carved out of the western region. In 1967, the regions were replaced by 12 states through a military decree. In 1976, 7 new states were created. Two new states were established in 1987, followed by another nine in 1991, bringing the total to 30. In 1996, the last 6 states were created to arrive at 36 states. The Federal Capital Territory was established in 1991.

The map below shows all 36 states. Each of these states, has a capital which is an important centre and also has its own motto, which you can see below the map.

STATES

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Nigeria is one country - but if you look closer it is made up of 36 states and a federal capital territory (Abuja) and if you look at these states even closer you will see 774 local government areas spread around these states.

Abia

Capital : Umuahia

Motto : God’s Own State

Adamawa

Capital : Yola

Motto : Land of Beauty Sunshine and Hospitality

Akwa Ibom

Capital : Uyo

Motto : Land of Promise

Anambra

Capital : Awka

Motto : Home of All

Bauchi

Capital : Bauchi

Motto : Pearl of Tourism

Bayelsa

Capital : Yenogoa

Motto : Glory of All Lands

Benue

Capital : Makurdi

Motto : Food Basket of the Nation

Borno

Capital : Maiduguri

Motto : Home of Peace

Cross River

Capital : Calabar

Motto : The People’s Paradise

Delta

Capital : Asaba

Motto : Finger of God

Ebonyi

Capital : Abakaliki

Motto : Salt of the Nation

Edo

Capital : Benin-City

Motto : Heart Beat of Nigeria

Ekiti

Capital : Ado-Ekiti

Motto : Fountain of Knowledge

Enugu

Capital : Enugu

Motto : Coal City State

Gombe

Capital : Gombe

Motto : Jewel in the Savannah

Imo

Capital : Owerri

Motto : Eastern heartland

Jigawa

Capital : Dutse

Motto : The New World

Kaduna

Capital : Kaduna

Motto : Centre of Education

Kano

Capital : Kano

Motto : Centre of Commerce

Katsina

Capital : Kastina

Motto : Home of Hospitality

Kebbi

Capital : Birni-Kebbi

Motto : Land of Equity

Kogi

Capital : Lokoja

Motto : The Confluence State

Kwara

Capital : Ilorin

Motto : State of Harmony

Lagos

Capital : Ikeja

Motto : Centre of Excellence

Nasarawa

Capital : Lafia

Motto : Home of Solid Minerals

Niger

Capital : Minna

Motto : The Power State

Ogun

Capital : Abeokuta

Motto : Gateway State

Ondo

Capital : Akure

Motto : Sunshine State

Osun

Capital : Osogbo

Motto : Land of Virtue

Oyo

Capital : Ibadan

Motto : Pace Setter State

Plateau

Capital : Jos

Motto : Home of Peace and Tourism

Rivers

Capital : Port-Harcourt

Motto : Treasure Base of the Nation

Sokoto

Capital : Sokoto

Motto : Seat of the Caliphate

Taraba

Capital : Jalingo

Motto : Nature’s Gift to the Nation

Yobe

Capital : Damaturu

Motto : Pride of the Sahel

Zamfara

Capital : Gusau

Motto : Farming is our Pride

Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Abuja

Motto : Centre of Unity

TIME TO THINK

Why do you think Nigeria was divided into states?
How do you think the names of the different states were chosen?