History of State Creation in Nigeria: From 3 Regions to 36 States (1960–2026)
The history of state creation in Nigeria is an important part of the country’s political and administrative development.
Nigeria did not always have 36 states. At independence in 1960, the country had three main regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern.
Over time, these regions were reorganised into smaller administrative units through different state-creation exercises.
The process began with the establishment of 12 states in 1967 and continued through subsequent changes in 1976, 1987, 1991, and 1996.
Today, Nigeria has 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In this article, we explore the history of state creation in Nigeria, the military administrations responsible for the major changes, the names of newly created states, and the reasons behind the country’s present federal structure.
When Did State Creation Begin in Nigeria?
The first major state-creation exercise in Nigeria took place on 27 May 1967 under the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon.
Before this development, Nigeria operated a regional system of government.
At independence on 1 October 1960, the country had three regions:
- Northern Region.
- Western Region.
- Eastern Region.
In 1963, the Mid-Western Region was created from the Western Region, increasing the number of regions to four.
In 1967, the four-region structure was replaced by 12 states.
This marked the beginning of Nigeria’s modern state-based federal administrative system.
Timeline of State Creation in Nigeria
The table below summarises the major stages in the evolution of Nigeria’s states.
| Year | Total States | Administration |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 3 regions | Independence-era government |
| 1963 | 4 regions | First Republic |
| 1967 | 12 states | General Yakubu Gowon |
| 1976 | 19 states | General Murtala Muhammed |
| 1987 | 21 states | General Ibrahim Babangida |
| 1991 | 30 states | General Ibrahim Babangida |
| 1996 | 36 states | General Sani Abacha |
| 2026 | 36 states + FCT | Current constitutional structure |
1. State Creation in 1967: General Yakubu Gowon
The first state-creation exercise took place on 27 May 1967.
General Yakubu Gowon replaced Nigeria’s four regions with 12 states.
The 12 states were:
- North-Western State.
- North-Central State.
- North-Eastern State.
- Kano State.
- Benue-Plateau State.
- Kwara State.
- Western State.
- Lagos State.
- Mid-Western State.
- East-Central State.
- South-Eastern State.
- Rivers State.
The decision was made during a period of serious political tension and shortly before the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War.
One of the major objectives was to reorganise administrative authority and address concerns about regional domination and minority representation.
Some of the states established in 1967 were subsequently renamed or divided to create additional states.
2. State Creation in 1976: General Murtala Muhammed
On 3 February 1976, Nigeria’s state structure increased from 12 to 19 states.
The exercise took place under General Murtala Muhammed.
Seven additional states were created:
- Bauchi State.
- Benue State.
- Borno State.
- Imo State.
- Niger State.
- Ogun State.
- Ondo State.
The wider reorganisation also involved changes to the names and boundaries of some existing states.
For example, the former Mid-Western State became Bendel State, while other large states were divided into smaller units.
Why Were Additional States Created in 1976?
The government presented state creation as a way of improving administration, addressing demands for representation, and bringing government closer to communities.
The restructuring also contributed to the establishment of new administrative capitals and institutions.
Establishment of the Federal Capital Territory
The Federal Capital Territory was established in 1976 as part of Nigeria’s efforts to develop a new national capital.
Abuja was intended to provide a more centrally located federal administrative centre than Lagos.
However, Abuja did not immediately replace Lagos as the national capital.
The formal relocation took place in December 1991.
3. State Creation in 1987: General Ibrahim Babangida
On 23 September 1987, General Ibrahim Babangida’s administration created two new states.
They were:
Akwa Ibom State
Akwa Ibom was created from Cross River State.
Its capital is Uyo.
The state is located in Nigeria’s South South geopolitical zone.
Katsina State
Katsina was created from Kaduna State.
Its capital is Katsina.
The state is located in the North West geopolitical zone.
The creation of these two states increased Nigeria’s total number of states from 19 to 21.
4. State Creation in 1991: General Ibrahim Babangida
Another major state-creation exercise occurred on 27 August 1991.
Under General Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria increased from 21 to 30 states.
Nine new states were established:
| S/N | New State | Territory or Former State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abia | Imo |
| 2 | Delta | Bendel |
| 3 | Enugu | Old Anambra |
| 4 | Jigawa | Kano |
| 5 | Kebbi | Sokoto |
| 6 | Kogi | Parts of Benue and Kwara |
| 7 | Osun | Oyo |
| 8 | Taraba | Gongola |
| 9 | Yobe | Borno |
The 1991 reorganisation also involved changes to the names and boundaries of existing states.
Important historical distinction: Bendel was reorganised into Edo and Delta, while Gongola was reorganised into Adamawa and Taraba. Edo and Adamawa are therefore often shown with 1991 as the date of their present state identities, although the total net increase was nine states.
This explains why some historical lists mention more than nine present-day state names when discussing the 1991 exercise.
Why Was the 1991 Exercise Important?
The reorganisation created additional state governments, expanded administrative representation, and established new state capitals.
It also changed the geographical and political organisation of several former states.
5. State Creation in 1996: General Sani Abacha
The final state-creation exercise to date occurred on 1 October 1996, during the military administration of General Sani Abacha.
Six new states were created, increasing Nigeria’s total from 30 to 36.
The six states were:
| S/N | State Created | Carved From | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayelsa | Rivers | Yenagoa |
| 2 | Ebonyi | Parts of Abia and Enugu | Abakaliki |
| 3 | Ekiti | Ondo | Ado-Ekiti |
| 4 | Gombe | Bauchi | Gombe |
| 5 | Nasarawa | Plateau | Lafia |
| 6 | Zamfara | Sokoto | Gusau |
These six states remain Nigeria’s most recently created states.
Why Is 1996 Important in Nigeria’s Political History?
The 1996 exercise established the country’s current total of 36 states.
It also created additional state capitals and administrative institutions.
Although proposals for more states have continued, no subsequent exercise has changed the constitutional total as of November 2026.
Which Military Head of State Created the Most States in Nigeria?
The answer depends on how the question is framed.
General Yakubu Gowon introduced the 12-state structure in 1967 by replacing the regional system.
General Murtala Muhammed added seven states in 1976.
General Ibrahim Babangida added two states in 1987 and nine in 1991, making a net addition of 11 states during his administration.
General Sani Abacha added six states in 1996.
Therefore, General Ibrahim Babangida oversaw the largest net increase in the number of states during a single administration after the original 1967 restructuring.
Why Were States Created in Nigeria?
Several factors influenced Nigeria’s state-creation exercises.
1. Minority Representation
Some communities demanded separate states because they believed that smaller administrative units could improve political representation and reduce domination by larger groups.
2. Administrative Convenience
Creating additional states was presented as a way of bringing government institutions closer to communities.
3. Political Considerations
State creation was also influenced by political negotiations, regional interests, and the objectives of military administrations.
4. Economic Development
Supporters argued that new states could encourage investment, infrastructure development, and access to government services.
5. Regional Balance
State creation was used partly to respond to longstanding debates about representation and resource allocation within Nigeria’s federation.
However, whether creating additional states consistently improves development remains an important subject of policy debate.
Can More States Be Created in Nigeria?
Yes. Nigeria’s Constitution provides a procedure for creating new states.
Section 8 establishes requirements involving legislative support, a referendum in the affected area, approvals from states, and further National Assembly action.
Creating a state therefore requires more than a proposal or political announcement.
A new state must pass the applicable constitutional process before it can become part of Nigeria’s federal structure.
Does Nigeria Have 42 States in 2026?
No.
As of November 2026, Nigeria has 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Proposals for additional states have been discussed, but discussion or legislative consideration does not automatically change Nigeria’s constitutional structure.
Reports claiming that Nigeria had already adopted 42 states or converted its six geopolitical zones into a new tier of government were publicly fact-checked in 2026 without supporting evidence for those claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Created the First 12 States in Nigeria?
General Yakubu Gowon created the 12-state structure on 27 May 1967.
Who Created the 19 States in Nigeria?
The 19-state structure was established under General Murtala Muhammed on 3 February 1976.
Who Created Akwa Ibom and Katsina States?
General Ibrahim Babangida created Akwa Ibom and Katsina states on 23 September 1987.
How Many States Were Created in 1991?
Nine additional states were created in the 1991 exercise, increasing Nigeria’s total from 21 to 30.
Who Created the 36 States in Nigeria?
The final expansion from 30 to 36 states occurred under General Sani Abacha on 1 October 1996.
What Are the Six States Created in 1996?
They are Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Zamfara.
When Was Abuja Created?
The Federal Capital Territory was established in 1976, and Abuja formally replaced Lagos as Nigeria’s capital in December 1991.
Which States Are the Youngest in Nigeria?
The six states created on 1 October 1996 are the youngest in terms of their establishment as separate states.
How Many States Does Nigeria Have in 2026?
Nigeria has 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Conclusion
The history of state creation in Nigeria reflects the country’s changing political, geographical, and administrative structure.
Nigeria developed from three regions at independence in 1960 to four regions in 1963, before adopting a 12-state system in 1967.
Further changes increased the number to 19 states in 1976, 21 in 1987, 30 in 1991, and 36 in 1996.
The creation of states was influenced by minority representation, administrative needs, political considerations, and regional demands.
As of 2026, Nigeria retains the 36-state structure established under General Sani Abacha.
Understanding this history provides valuable insight into Nigeria’s federal system, political development, and continuing debates about state creation.
History of State Creation in Nigeria