The moment our class teacher walked in, we all stood up to greet her, no questions asked. Then, like clockwork, we dived into our usual recitations—the multiplication table, followed by the well-known “State and Capital in Nigeria” song.
Many millennials and others might insist they don’t automatically recall that song when asked about Nigeria’s states and capitals, but I can’t say the same for myself.
Even now, I still catch myself singing it—though, to be honest, I don’t remember all the states and their capitals anymore (Winks).
Back in school, I never really understood why we had to recite the states and capitals every day. But as I got older, it all started to make sense—not just the importance of the recital itself, but also why Nigeria has 36 states in the first place.
Let’s break it down with a simple example: Imagine you’re responsible for 100 people. Over time, that number grows to 1,000 due to births and migration, and these people spread out far beyond the original group. Managing 1,000 people across different locations would be far more challenging than handling just 100, right?
So, if you were in charge, what would you do? The logical thing would be to divide the people into smaller groups and delegate responsibilities, wouldn’t it?
Now, apply that to Nigeria. Our population is in the millions, and every state’s population alone tells you how large and complex the country is. Just being a governor would be overwhelming—imagine the pressure on a president! Your hair would turn gray in no time (just kidding… or maybe not).
What Are States In Nigeria?
Before Nigeria’s states and capitals became a common topic in primary and secondary school current affairs, the country was originally divided into regions or provinces. Back then, there was little concern about the number of states or their capitals.
After gaining independence, Nigeria was structured into three regions: the Northern, Western, and Eastern regions. It’s also worth exploring the economic activities of the country’s six geopolitical zones today.
Three years post-independence, a fourth region—the Mid-Western Region—was carved out of the Western Region, reshaping the country’s political landscape.
A series of events led to Nigeria’s first military coup, which ushered in short-lived administrations. Among these leaders was General Yakubu Gowon, who played a key role in the creation of Nigeria’s states and capitals as we know them today.
During Yakubu Gowon’s administration, Nigeria saw a major transformation with the creation of 12 states, marking the end of the regional and provincial system.
Then came Murtala Muhammed, who expanded the list, increasing the number of states to 19. This trend continued as Ibrahim Babangida’s leadership introduced even more states.
However, after General Sani Abacha’s era, the momentum for creating new states seemed to slow down. But who knows? Another administration might one day add to the list—so let’s just say the process “kind of” came to a halt.
While the establishment of new states is often credited to the governments that made it happen, there were strong underlying reasons for these decisions. Clashes of interest, growing demands from different regions, and the challenge of governing an expanding nation all contributed to the push for the creation of states in Nigeria.
Few people realized at the time that this would later play a role in the Nigerian Civil War with Biafra, eventually leading to the creation of a second generation of states and capitals in Nigeria.
Beyond this, other factors also contributed to the need for additional states and capitals over the years.
To ensure smoother governance and drive meaningful development, the country had to be divided into smaller administrative units. This led to the structured creation of states and their respective capitals.
Think of Nigeria’s states and capitals as different classes in a school—each serving a specific purpose to keep the entire system organized and efficient. If you’re curious, you should explore more about Nigeria’s government structure.
So, how many states are in Nigeria?
List of The 36 States And Capitals In Nigeria In Alphabetical Order
Back then, none of us bothered to ask Aunty why we have state and capital in Nigeria, the history of these states in Nigeria, etc. We just knew we have 36 states and capitals in Nigeria.
But interestingly, all of Nigeria’s solid mineral resources are spread across the entire 36 states of the country.
Ready?
1. ABIA (Umuahia)
Abia state was birthed from Imo state on the 27th of August, 1991. The name is said to be an abbreviation of the four regions (Aba, Bende, Isuitwuato, and Afikpo) of which it is made up of.
It houses the Abia state university, Abia state polythenic, Alaoji power plant, Geometric power plant, etc.
2. ADAMAWA (Yola)
One of the state and capital in Nigeria created from Gongola on the 27th of August, 1991 is Adamawa (Yola).
Its origins can further be traced to the 1800s when it was a dependent region of the Sokoto rule. Adamawa is home to the American University of Nigeria.
3. AKWA-IBOM (Uyo)
One of the third generation of state and capital in Nigeria, was created on the 23rd of September, 1987. It is said to be the highest oil and gas producing state in the country.
The University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state university, and others are located in the state. Did you know that Akwa ibom makes it to our list of top 10 richest states in Nigeria? Read that.
4. ANAMBRA (Awka)
The revamped millennial state is one of the states and capital in Nigeria created on the 27th of August, 1991. It is home to the Agulu crocodile lake where fishing is not allowed, as they said. These crocodiles cannot be deprived of life.
Tales have it that these crocodiles and turtles aided in rescuing the town from its enemies during the Nigerian civil war. The state also houses Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
5. BAUCHI (Bauchi)
A second generation state, which cannot be excluded from the list of state and capital in Nigeria, was created from the North Eastern state in the year 1976. It was recreated from itself on the 3rd of February, 1976.
Also Read: Nigerian government revenue sharing formula
6. BAYELSA (Yenagoa)
The least populous state in Nigeria was produced from Rivers state on the 1st of October, 1996. Despite the large manufacture of petroleum, it is nowhere close as the most developed state in the country.
The Niger Delta University, Federal University, Otuoke are in Bayelsa state.
7. BENUE (Makurdi)
Initially called the Munshi province, as it was told; until the year 1918 when it was named after the Benue River. It is the 9th most populous state in the country.
Today, Benue that was created from the Benue-plateau state is on the list of state and capital in Nigeria, and it is home to the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
Also Read: List of Asian countries and their capitals in alphabetical order
8. BORNO (Maiduguri)
In as much as it is one of the most dreaded states to visit in Nigeria, we cannot deny it does not make up the 36 states we have in Nigeria.
The northern state was carved out of the North Eastern state on the 3rd of February, 1976. It is ranked the 11th most populous state in Nigeria and one of the North central states in Nigeria.
9. CROSS RIVER (Calabar)
This state was established on the 27th of May, 1967. It houses the famous Tinapa resort, Mary Slessor tomb, University of Calabar, etc.
10. DELTA (Asaba)
Delta is also one of the Nigerian states and capital. It was born out of Bendel state on the 27th of August, 1991.
The Delta State University, Federal University of Petroleum Resources is located in Delta. The state is inhabited by over 4 million people.
Also Read: List of all African countries and capital in alphabetical order
11. EBONYI (Abakaliki)
Ebonyi is the second state that was created from the old Enugu state on the 1st of October, 1996. It has been tagged as the leading producer of cassava, rice, yam, maize, and beans in the country.
12. EDO (Benin)
A twin sister to Delta state is Edo state. It was also created on the 27th of August, 1991. It is home to the Emotan statue.
13. EKITI (Ado – Ekiti)
Ekiti state is one of the western states of all the six geo political zones in Nigeria. It was carved out of Ondo state on the 1st of October, 1996.
With a population not more than 2.5 million, it is said to be the state to have the highest number of professors.
14. ENUGU (Enugu)
Born out of the old Anambra state on the 27th of August, 1991; Enugu is one of the states in Nigeria.
History says it was once the capital of the southern provinces, later on it was the capital of the Federal Republic of Biafra during the war. It houses the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and other notable places.
15. GOMBE (Gombe)
Gombe state was drawn out of Bauchi state on the 1st of October, 1996. It is one of the least populated states in Nigeria.
16. IMO (Owerri)
Aye aye, we have an app for video calls called Imo…shhhh…we are talking state and capital in Nigeria. It was created from the East Central state on the 3rd of February, 1976.
It became a mother state in the year 1991 when part of it was cut out to create Abia and Ebonyi states. The Federal University of Technology, Owerri is located in this state.
Also Read: Full List of Political parties in Nigeria
More of The 36 States And Capital And Their Governors
We are not done yet are we? That’s what the teacher said because we’ve just listed 20 out of the 36 states and capital in Nigeria.
17. JIGAWA (Dutse)
Jigawa is a sister state to the new Kano state. The state was born on the 27th of August, 1991 from the old Kano state.
History says the creation of Jigawa state was instigated by Malam Inuwa-Dutse. This state also has a Federal University.
18. KADUNA (Kaduna)
The north-central state was created from the old Kaduna state on the 23rd of September, 1987. The Nigeria Defence Academy, Ahmadu Bello University is located in Kaduna.
19. KANO (Kano)
One of the first generation of state and capital in Nigeria before it was recreated on the 27th of May, 1967.
Did you know that Kano state has the highest number of local government in Nigeria? Learn more in that post.
20. KATSINA (Katsina)
The Federal University of Agriculture, Katsina; Umaru Musa Yar’adua University is located in the state that was created on the 23rd of September, 1987 from old Kaduna state.
21. KEBBI (Birnin – kebbi)
Sokoto seemed too big to handle and so on the 27th of August, 1991; Kebbi state was carved out of Sokoto. They have been reported to be one of the leading producers of rice.
22. KOGI (Lokoja)
Kogi state was created from old Kwara state on the 27th of August, 1991. It is said that on a certain day when Flora Shaw set her eyes on the river Niger, she was wowed and what came out of her mouth next was Nigeria.
This river Niger is in Kogi state. The same state houses Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.
23. KWARA (Ilorin)
When the first 12 states were created, Kwara state was inclusive until it was recreated from itself on the 27th of May, 1967. Did you know that the Senate President Bukola Saraki is from this state? Now you know.
24. LAGOS State (Ikeja)
Arguably the finest state in Nigeria, Lagos state is one of the first generation states in Nigeria. With its developments over the years, since it was created on the 27th of May, 1967; it is no surprise different ethnics lay claim to the state calling it a “no-man’s land”.
Did you know that there are 20 local governments in Lagos state? Now you know, read more in that post and thank me later.
25. NASARAWA (Lafia)
Nasarawa is one of the northern state and capital in Nigeria. It was created from the old Plateau state on the 1st of October, 1996 during Abacha Sani regime.
Nasarawa state is home to the Federal University of Lafia, Farin ruwa falls that is reputed to be one of the highest falls in Africa. The salt village, where there is natural iodized salt, is also located in Nasarawa state.
Also Read: Nigeria civil defense corps salary and NSCDC ranks
26. NIGER (Minna)
It has been reported that Niger state is named after river Niger. Also the Kanji dam, Shiroro dam, Guarara falls, and Kainji national park are located in Niger state.
Niger state was created on the 3rd of February, 1976.
27. OGUN (Abeokuta)
It was created on the 3rd of February, 1976 from the first western state. The state is home to Olabisi Onabanjo University and other prominent places.
The Ijebus, that were said to be the first Yoruba’s to invent “owo eyo”, are peculiar to this state.
28. ONDO (Akure)
One of the three musketeers: Ondo, Ogun, and Oyo. Ondo state was created on the 3rd of February, 1976. The state is home to Federal University of Technology, Akure.
29. OSUN (Osogbo)
Osun state was created on the 27th of August, 1991 and is said to be named after the river Osun. It is bounded in the north by Kwara State, in the east partly by Ekiti State and partly by Ondo State, in the south by Ogun State and in the west by Oyo State.
30. OYO (Ibadan)
It offers shelter to the first university in Nigeria, University of Ibadan. Oyo state was created from the old Oyo state on the 3rd of February, 1976.
…awon omo sepeteri… did you know that Sepeteri is actually a town in Oke-ogun Oyo state? Now you know.
31. PLATEAU (Jos)
The 12th largest state in Nigeria was initially created from Benue-Plateau before it was recreated from the old Plateau state.
The new Plateau state birth date is 3rd of February, 1976. Read more about the top 20 largest state in Nigeria in this post, you want to know the top 5 isn’t it?
32. RIVERS (Port Harcourt)
Due to the many rivers surrounding the state, the name Rivers was given to the state on the 27th of May, 1967.
33. SOKOTO (Sokoto)
Sokoto or Sakkwato state is one of the northern states in Nigeria. It was created on the 3rd of February, 1976. It later birthed the Kebbi and Zamfara states.
34. TARABA (Jalingo)
Taraba state is one of the states in Nigeria created from Gongola state. Gumpti Park is located in this state that was created on the 27th of August, 1991.
35. YOBE (Damaturu)
It was carved out of Borno state on the 27th of August, 1991. The state borders the Nigerian states of Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Jigawa.
It borders the Diffa Region and the Zinder Region to the north in the Republic of Niger.
Because the state lies mainly in the dry savanna belt, conditions are hot and dry for most of the year, except in the southern part of the state which has a milder climate.
36. ZAMFARA (Gusau)
The earliest inhabitants of this state were said to be giants and hunters. It was a kingdom whose origins went as far back as the 11th century before it later became part of the Caliphate, following the holy war led by Usman Dan Fodio in the 1800s.
It was later merged with other kingdoms to form the North West state and then Sokoto, from which it was carved out from, on the 1st of October, 1996.
Also Read: Top 21 most visited blogs in Nigeria
Fct Abuja Nigeria
It was of recent I knew FCT was not part of the 36 states but a federal territory…as in I dey count am with confidence as part of state and capital in Nigeria. say FCT be state, Abuja na capital.
You would be amazed by what you find out about this federal territory that has no governor. The state was formed from parts of Nasarawa, Kogi, and Niger states.
The history of Abuja city will interest you as you’ll realize how it was created and chosen as Nigeria’s capital. The Abuja population is distributed across its 6 local government areas.
Nigerian State Capital Slogan And Governors Plus Number of Their Local Government
- Made up of 17 local government areas. The slogan for Abia state is “God’s own state”.
- Also made up of 21 local government areas, Anambra state is known as “Light of the nation”.
- Akwa – Ibom is one of the state and capital in Nigeria and its slogan is “Land of promise”. It is made up of 31 local governments.
- The Cross River state slogan is “The people’s paradise”. It has 18 local government areas.
- Kano state is not only the most populated state in Nigeria but also the state and capital in Nigeria with the highest number of local government areas; 44. Kano state is also known as “Centre of commerce”.
- The richest local government in Nigeria, Obio Akpor, is one of the 23 local government areas in Rivers state. You know the right caption for that look on your face when I tell you this particular state in Nigeria is known as “Treasure base of the nation”. I dey hail o.
- The smallest state in Nigeria is Bayelsa and is known as the “Glory of all lands” with 8 local government areas.
- Adamawa state slogan is “Land of beauty”.
- There are 21 local government areas in Anambra state.
- The “Eastern heartland” is the slogan for Imo state. The state has 27 local government areas.
- There are 13 local government areas in Ebonyi state, known as “Salt of the nation”.
- Enugu is another on the list of state and capital in Nigeria with 17 local government areas. The slogan for the state is “Coal city”
- Known as the “Seat of caliphate”; Sokoto state has 23 local government areas.
- “The big heart of the nation” is the slogan for Delta state. It has 25 local government areas.
- Edo state, one of the state and capital in Nigeria, is the “Heart beat of Nigeria”. The state is made up of 18 local government areas.
- The slogan for Benue state is “Food basket of the nation”. There are 23 local government areas in Benue.
- Ogun state has 20 local governments. The motto of ogun state is “Gateway state”.
- The catchphrase for Lagos is “Centre of excellence”. Lagos city is arguably one of the important cities in Nigesria. There are 20 local governments in Lagos. Guess what? Most of the top 10 richest musicians in Nigeria live in Lagos state.
- There are 18 local government areas in Ondo state. The motto of ondo is “Sunshine state”.
- Osun state, “The land of virtue”, has 30 local government areas.
- There are 16 local Governments areas divided across Ekiti state, one of the state and capital in Nigeria. The slogan for Ekiti state is “Land of Honour and Integrity”…heart searching time: is Ekiti state worthy of that motto?
- With 33 local government areas scattered across the state and capital, Oyo is known as the “Pacesetter state“.
- The “Home of solid minerals” is Nasarawa state with 13 local government areas.
- The 12th largest state and capital in Nigeria is known as “Home of peace and tourism”. Plateau state has 17 local government areas.
- The “Confluence state” is called Kogi state. There are 21 local government areas.
- Kwara state is known as the “State of harmony” with 16 local government areas.
- Did you know that there is a “New world” in Nigeria? That is the slogan for Jigawa state with 27 local government areas.
- Katsina state is known as “Home of hospitality”. The state has 34 local government areas.
- Known as “The power state” and having 25 local government areas, Niger state is one of the 36 states in Nigeria.
- The motto for Kebbi state is “Land of equity”. This state and capital in Nigeria has 22 local government areas.
- The “Pride of sahel” is known as Yobe state, having 17 local government areas.
- When you hear “Farming is our pride”, know it is Zamfara state.
- Bauchi state slogan is “Pearl of tourism”. There are 20 local government areas in the state.
- There are 11 local government areas in Gombe state. It is Known as “Jewel in the savannah”
- Borno state is called “Home of peace”…
- Taraba state, another of the state and capital in Nigeria, is called “Nature’s gift to the nation”. 16 local government areas make up the state.
- The slogan for Kaduna state is “Liberal state”. There are 23 local governments in Kaduna state.
Download Nigeria State and Capital PDF
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States In Nigeria Map
Here is the map of Nigeria with 36 states in it:
The establishment of states and capitals in Nigeria was not intended to create division or hostility. However, upon closer examination, it appears that the push for creating states and capitals may have been driven by underlying motives of segregation. While the list of states in Nigeria can be critiqued, it’s important to note that even before the introduction of states and capitals, the country had already experienced political instability, including military coups.
After the formation of states, Nigeria, often referred to as “God’s own land,” faced significant challenges, including a devastating civil war that left some of its major cities in ruins. Despite these hardships, the nation has shown remarkable resilience. Many argue that the current system of states and capitals has provided a more structured and effective approach to managing the country’s diverse regions and populations.
Also Read: Accurate list of European countries and their capitals
Last Notes On State and Capital In Nigeria
Being from a specific state doesn’t diminish your identity as a Nigerian compared to someone from another state. We’re all equally Nigerian, regardless of where we come from within the country.
In my opinion, life in Nigeria would be much more challenging if the nation weren’t divided into states and capitals. This structure helps manage governance and resources more effectively.
Now, it’s your turn! Fill in the blank and share your thoughts in the comments: “I am from _______ state, and I am proudly Nigerian.” Go ahead and say it out loud—it feels good, doesn’t it?
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