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.