List of 7 states created in Nigeria in 1976 by by President Murtala Mohammed
Taraba Yobe Anambra Bauchi Benue Borno Imo
List of 12 states created in Nigeria on 27 May 1967 by by President Yakubu Gowon
Niger Ogun Ondo Oyo Plateau Sokoto Kano Cross River Kaduna Kwara Lagos Rivers
Nigeria is a federation comprising one federal capital territory (FCT) and 36 states.
These states were created at varying times in Nigeria’s history and by various administrations.
Each state is a semi-autonomous political unit that shares powers with the country’s federal government as stated in the Nigerian constitution.
1960-1963
When Nigeria became independent in 1960, it was a federal state with three regions.
It had Eastern, Northern, and Western regions.
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.
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.
