Nigeria is a federation composed of 36 states and one federal capital territory (FCT). The states in Nigeria have emerged at different points in the country’s history under different administrations. Each state operates as a semi-autonomous political entity, exercising powers alongside the federal government, as outlined in the Nigerian constitution. Let’s delve into the process of state creation in Nigeria and gain insights into the creators of these states.
State creation in Nigeria began in 1967 when the then regions were replaced by states. After that, various regimes made changes to the country’s structure until 1996, when the last states were created.
State creation in Nigeria and their creators
Here is a quick look at the important timelines in the creation of states in Nigeria and their creators.
1960-1963
When Nigeria became attained independence from colonial rule in 1960, it was a federal state with three regions. These were the Eastern, Northern, and Western regions. There were also provinces which served as a legacy of colonial rule. These were later abolished in 1976.
1963-1967
In 1963, a new region was created, bringing the total to four. The new region was known as the Mid-Western Region and was created from the Western Region.
1967-1976
In 1967, the country’s military regime replaced the four regions with 12 states. Between 1967 and 1970, the former Eastern Region attempted to secede from the rest of Nigeria, resulting in the infamous Biafran Civil War.
The states created in 1967 resulted from General Yakubu Gowon’s rise to power via a coup d’état.
1976-1987
There were 7 additional states created in 1976, bringing the total to 19. The 19 states of Nigeria in 1976 included the Federal Capital Territory, created from Niger State. In 1987, two more states (Akwa Ibom and Katsina) were created, bringing the total to 21. This was done under the military rule of General Ibrahim Babangida.
1988-1991
On August 27, 1991, the number of states in Nigeria increased to thirty as General Babangida thought it fit to create another nine states, bringing the total to 30.
1996
In 1993 when General Sani Abacha came into power, the government was under immense pressure to create additional states. The reigning military regime, under recommendation from the National Constitutional Conference (NCC), decided to create six more states. This was done in October 1996, bringing the total to the current 36 states.
States creation in Nigeria
Here are the Nigerian states created in 1991 and 1996.
| State | Date created | Creator |
| Bayelsa | 1 October 1996 | Sani Abacha |
| Ebonyi | 1 October 1996 | Sani Abacha |
| Ekiti | 1 October 1996 | Sani Abacha |
| Gombe | 1 October 1996 | Sani Abacha |
| Nasarawa | 1 October 1996 | Sani Abacha |
| Zamfara | 1 October 1996 | Sani Abacha |
| Abia | 27 August 1991 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Adamawa | 27 August 1991 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Delta | 27 August 1991 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Edo | 27 August 1991 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Enugu | 27 August 1991 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Jigawa | 27 August 1991 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Kebbi | 27 August 1991 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Kogi | 27 August 1991 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Osun | 27 August 1991 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Akwa Ibom | 23 September 1987 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Katsina | 23 September 1987 | Ibrahim Babangida |
Here is a list of 12 states created in Nigeria in 1976 and others in previous subsequent years.
| State | Date created | Creator |
| Taraba | 3 February 1976 | Gen. Murtala Mohammed |
| Yobe | 3 February 1976 | Gen. Murtala Mohammed |
| Anambra | 3 February 1976 | Gen. Murtala Mohammed |
| Bauchi | 3 February 1976 | Gen. Murtala Mohammed |
| Benue | 3 February 1976 | Gen. Murtala Mohammed |
| Borno | 3 February 1976 | Gen. Murtala Mohammed |
| Imo | 3 February 1976 | Gen. Murtala Mohammed |
| Niger | 27 May 1967 | General Yakubu Gowon |
| Ogun | 27 May 1967 | General Yakubu Gowon |
| Ondo | 27 May 1967 | General Yakubu Gowon |
| Oyo | 27 May 1967 | General Yakubu Gowon |
| Plateau | 27 May 1967 | General Yakubu Gowon |
| Sokoto | 27 May 1967 | General Yakubu Gowon |
| Kano | 27 May 1967 | General Yakubu Gowon |
| Cross River | 27 May 1967 | General Yakubu Gowon |
| Kaduna | 27 May 1967 | General Yakubu Gowon |
| Kwara | 27 May 1967 | General Yakubu Gowon |
| Lagos | 27 May 1967 | General Yakubu Gowon |
| Rivers | 27 May 1967 |
Who created states in Nigeria in 1976?
1976 saw the creation of 7 states by General Murtala Mohammed. This brought the total to 19 states. Later in the year, General Ibrahim Babangida created two more states.
Who created the 36 states in Nigeria?
They were created by different leaders under different regimes. These include General Murtala Mohammed, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Yakubu Gowon, and General Sani Abacha.
Who created 21 states in Nigeria?
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By 1987, the country had 21 states. These had been created by General Ibrahim Babangida (2), General Murtala Mohammed (7), and General Yakubu Gowon (12).
Who created 12 states in Nigeria?
General Yakubu Gowon created Nigeria’s first 12 states in 1967.
The history behind state creation in Nigeria and their creators is quite fascinating. The country saw 36 states created in five regimes. These administrative units replaced the regions and provinces left by the British.