States of Nigeria

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nigeria is currently categorized into 36 states and Abuja, the federal capital territory. The states are further divided into 774 Local Government Areas

Before and after independence in 1960, Nigeria was a federation of three Regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern. Provinces were also used in colonial times. In 1963, two provinces were detached from the Western Region to form the new Mid-Western Region. In 1967, the regions were replaced by 12 states due to a military decree; only the former Mid-Western Region escaped division, and formed a single state following the restructuring. From 1967 to 1970 the areas of Mid-Western State and the Eastern Region attempted to secede, as Biafra. In 1976, seven new states were created, making 19 altogether; the Federal Capital Territory (now called Abuja) was established also. In 1987 two new states were established, followed by another 9 in 1991, bringing the total to 30. The latest change, in 1996, resulted in the present number of 36 states.