States in Nigeria

by Deborah Russell-A.

STATES IN NIGERIA

NAME

CAPITAL

GEOPOLITICAL ZONE

AREA SIZE

ESTIMATED POULATION

Abia

Umuahia

South East

6,320 km2 (2,440 sq mi)

3,841,943

Adamawa

Yola

North East

36,917 km2 (14,254 sq mi)

4,536,948

Akwa Ibom

Uyo

South South

7,081 km2 (2,734 sq mi)

4,780,581

Anambra

Akwa

South East

4,844 km2 (1,870 sq mi)

5,599,910

Bauchi

Bauchi

North East

45,893 km2 (17,719 sq mi)

7,540,663

Bayelsa

Yenagoa

South South

10,773 km2 (4,159 sq mi)

2,394,725

Benue

Markurdi

North Central

34,059 km2 (13,150 sq mi)

5,787,706

Borno

Maiduguri

North East

70,898 km2 (27,374 sq mi)

5,751,590

Cross River

Calabar

South South

20,156 km2 (7,782 sq mi)

4,175,020

Delta

Asaba

South South

17,698 km2 (6,833 sq mi)

5,307,543

Ebonyi

Abakaliki

South East

6,400 km2 (2,500 sq mi)

3,007,155

Edo

Benin City

South South

19,559 km2 (7,552 sq mi)

4,461,137

Ekiti

Ado- Ekiti

South West

6,353 km2 (2,453 sq mi)

3,350,401

Enugu

Enugu

South East

13,161 km2 (5,081 sq mi)

4,396,098

Gombe

Gombe

North East

18,768 km2 (7,246 sq mi)

3,623,462

Imo

Owerri

South East

5,530 km2 (2,140 sq mi)

5,167,722

Jigawa

Dutse

North West

23,154 km2 (8,940 sq mi

6,779,080

Kaduna

Kaduna

North West

46,053 km2 (17,781 sq mi)

8,324,285

Kano

Kano

North West

20,131 km2 (7,773 sq mi)

14,253,549

Kastina

Kastina

North West

24,192 km2 (9,341 sq mi)

9,300,382

Kebbi

Bernin Kebbi

North West

36,800 km2 (14,200 sq mi)

5,001,610

Kogi

Lokoja

North Central

29,833 km2 (11,519 sq mi)

4,153,734

Kwara

Ilorni

North Central

36,825 km2 (14,218 sq mi)

3,259,613

Lagos

Ikeja

South West

13,577 km2 (1,381 sq mi)0

16,536,000

Nasarawa

Lafia

North Central

26,256 km2 (10,137 sq mi)

2,632,239

Niger

Minna

North Central

76,363 km2 (29,484 sq mi)

6,220,617

Ogun

Abeokuta

South West

16,981 km2 (6,556 sq mi)

5,945,275

Ondo

Akure

South West

15,500 km2 (6,000 sq mi)

4,969,707

Osun

Osogbo

South West

9,251 km2 (3,572 sq mi)

4,237,396

Oyo

Ibadan

South West

28,454 km2 (10,986 sq mi)

7,512,855

Plateau

Jos

North Central

30,913 km2 (11,936 sq mi)

4,400,974

Rivers

Port Harcourt

South South

11,077 km2 (4,277 sq mi)

7,034,973

Sokoto

Sokoto

North West

25,973 km2 (10,028 sq mi)

5,863,187

Taraba

Jalingo

North East

54,473 km2 (21,032 sq mi)

3,331,885

Yobe

Damaturu

North East

45,502 km2 (17,568 sq mi)

3,398,177

Zamfara

Gusau

North West

39,762 km2 (15,352 sq mi)

5,317,793

 

The Role of States, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Local Governments

Nigeria is a unique federation with 36 states. Although semi-autonomous, these states share powers with the federal government as defined in the Nigerian Constitution. Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, is in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which is not a state. 

The President appoints the Ministers of Government who administer it as a Federal Territory. All states are grouped into local government areas (LGAs). Nigeria has 774 local governments. The 36 states are co-equal but not paramount under the constitution, as sovereignty lies with the federal government. 

State Government

The states of Nigeria, each with its own unique identity and needs, have the right to structure their governments autonomously. This autonomy, however, operates within the framework of the Constitution of Nigeria, ensuring a delicate balance between local and national interests.

Legislature

At the state level, the legislature, a formidable body, is unicameral, with a membership equal to three times the number of legislators in the Federal House of Representatives. It wields substantial power, legislating on matters on the concurrent list.

Executive

At the state level, the governor, a pivotal figure in the executive branch, holds the power to appoint people to the state executive council, subject to the advice and consent of the state House of Assembly (legislature). A permanent secretary, who is also a senior state civil servant, assists the commissioner, who is the head of a ministry at the state level.

Judiciary

The judiciary is one of the co-equal arms of the state government that interprets its laws. The governor appoints the chief justice, who is then subject to the approval of the state House of Assembly.

 

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