Nigeria is a West African country comprising 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
In this post, we take a look at the 36 states of the country.
Map of Nigeria Showing the 36 States
- Abia State
Located in the South Eastern part of Nigeria, Abia State was created from Imo State in 1991. The state is known for its commercial hub situated in Aba. The capital of Abia state is Umuahia and the state’s slogan is God’s own state.
- Adamawa State
The capital of Adamawa is Yola. The state is located in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. The slogan of the state used to be the Land of Beauty, Sunshine and Hospitality but that has since change to this new one, “Highest Peak of the nation.”
- Akwa Ibom State
Also known as the Land of Promise, Akwa Ibom is located along the coast of the Southern part of Nigeria. The state is the highest oil and gas producing state in the country.
- Anambra State
The state’s slogan is Light of the Nation. It is a South eastern state. The capital of Anambra is Awka. The state shares boundary with the likes of Delta, Kogi, Enugu and Rivers State.
- Bauchi State
Bauchi State is located in the North eastern part of Nigeria specifically on the northern edge of the Jos Plateau. The capital of the state is Bauchi City an the state’s slogan is Pearl of Tourism.
- Bayelsa State
Bayelsa is one of the oil rich states in the country. The former president of the country, Dr Goodluck Jonathan hails from this state. The capital of Bayelsa is Yenagoa.
- Benue State
The capital of Benue is Makurdi. The state is known as the Food Basket of the Nation as many of its indigenes are farmers,
- Borno State
Borno is known as the Home of Peace but the attacks from the terrorist group; Boko Haram seems to have changed this narrative. The capital of Borno is Maiduguri.
- Cross River State
Known for tourist centres like the Obudu hills and events like the Calabar Christmas Carnival, Cross River is one of the most interesting states to visit in Nigeria.
The slogan of the state is People’s Paradise and the capital of the state is Calabar. Calabar is touted to be the neatest in the country
- Delta State
The slogan of Delta State is Finger of God and its capital is Asaba. One of the most popular cities in Nigeria, Warri is located in Delta State.
- Ebonyi State
The capital of Ebonyi is Abakaliki and the state’s slogan is the salt of the Nation. It was one of the six states created in 1996. Ebonyi was created from Abia and Enugu.
- Edo State
Edo State is known as the Heart Beat of the Nation. The capital of the state is Benin City. Benin has a history as been one of the destinations of the Europeans many centuries ago.
- Ekiti State
Ekiti State is located in South Western Nigeria. The capital of the state is Ado Ekiti. The state is reputed to be one of the states with the highest number of professors. The state was formed from Ondo State in 1996
- Enugu State
Enugu State was known for its coal mines many years ago and this is the origin of the state’s slogan, “the Coal City”. The state is located in the South eastern part of the country
- Gombe State
The slogan of the state is Jewel in the Savannah. Gombe State is located in the North Eastern part of the country and it was formed from Bauchi State in 1996.
- Imo State
Formerly called the Land of Hope, Imo State’s new slogan is Eastern heartland. The largest city in the state, Owerri is also the capital city.
- Jigawa State
The capital of Jigawa is Dutse and the state’s slogan is the New World. It is located in the North western part of Nigeria and it shares boundaries with the likes of Kano, Katsina, Bauchi and Yobe.
- Kaduna State
Known as the Centre of Learning, Kaduna State is also located in the North western part of Nigeria.
- Kano State
Kano State was created from the Northern Region in 1967, it is known as the Centre of Commerce as the state is a major producer of hides and skins, sesame, soybean, cotton, garlic, gum arabic and chili pepper.
- Katsina State
Located in North Western Nigeria, Katsina was created from Kaduna State in 1987. The state is known as the State of Hospitality and its capital is Katsina.
- Kebbi State
The capital of Kebbi State is Birnin Kebbi, the state is known as the Land of Equity.
- Kogi State
Known as the Confluence State as it is the state where the popular River Niger and Benue meet. The two rivers meet at the state capital in Lokoja.
- Kwara State
Kwara State is also known as the state of Harmony. The state is located in the region commonly referred to as the Middle Belt. The capital of Kwara State is Ilorin.
- Lagos State
Lagos State is a major economic centre in Nigeria. It is also the most populous state in the country with over 20 million residents. The capital of Lagos State is Ikeja.
- Nasarawa State
The capital of Nasarawa State is Lafia. The state is known as the home of Solid Minerals. Nasarawa State shares boundaries with Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
- Niger State
Also known as the Power State as the popular Kainji Dam is located in this state. The capital of Niger State is Minna.
- Ogun State
The capital of Ogun State is Abeokuta and the popular Olumo rock is located in the capital city. The state is also known as the Gateway State.
- Ondo State
Located in South West, Nigeria, Ondo State is also known as the Sunshine State. The capital of Ondo State is Akure
- Osun State
Osun State is another South Western State, it is known as the Land of Virtue and the capital of the state is Oshogbo.
- Oyo State
The capital of Oyo State is Ibadan, the largest city in West Africa. Oyo State is known as the pace setter state.
- Plateau State
Plateau State is located at the centre of country. The capital of the sate is Jos. The state’s slogan is Home of peace and tourism
- Rivers State
Rivers State is one of the oil producing states in the country. It is known as the Treasure base of the Nation and the capital of the state is Port Harcourt
- Sokoto State
Sokoto State is the Seat of the Caliphate. It is located in the Northern part of the country.
- Taraba State
The capital of Taraba is Jalingo. It is located in the region called the Middle Belt.
- Yobe State
Also known as the Pride of the Sahel, Yobe State was carved out of Borno in 1991.
- Zamfara State
Located in North West, Nigeria, Zamfara was formed from Sokoto State in 1996.