Nigeria is divided into 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, making it 37 divisions. Each of these states is given specific nicknames with which it is recognized. The states, their capitals and their nicknames are highlighted below.
List of Nigeria’s state nicknames
- FCT: The capital city is Abuja and its slogan is “Center of Unity”.
- Abia State: Its capital city is Umuahia and its slogan is “God’s Own State”. It is also called Pride of our Nation
- Adamawa State: Its capital city is Yola and its slogan is “Land of Beauty, Sunshine and Hospitality”
- Akwa Ibom State: Its capital city is Uyo and its slogan is “Promised Land”
- Anambra State: Its capital city is Awka and its slogan is “Home For All”. It is also called “Light of the Nation”
- Bauchi State: Its capital city is Bauchi and its slogan is “Pearl of Tourism”
- Bayelsa State: Its capital city is Yenagoa and its slogan is “Glory of all Lands”
- Benue State: Its capital city is Makurdi and its slogan is “The Nigeria’s Food Basket”
- Borno State: Its capital city is Maiduguri and its slogan is “Home of Peace”
- Cross River State: Its capital city is Calabar and its slogan is “The Nation’s Paradise”
- Delta State: Its capital city is Asaba and its slogan is “The Big Heart”
- Ebonyi State: Its capital city is Abakaliki and its slogan is “Salt of the Nation”
- Edo State: Its capital city is Benin and its slogan is “The Heartbeat of the Nation”
- Ekiti State: Its capital city is Ado-Ekiti and its slogan is “Fountain of Knowledge”
- Enugu State: Its capital city is Enugu and its slogan is “Coal City State”
- Gombe State: its capital city is Gombe and its slogan is “Jewel in the Savannah”
- Imo State: Its capital city is Owerri and its slogan is “The Eastern Heartland”
- Jigawa State: Its capital city is Dutse and its slogan is “The New World”
- Kaduna State: Its capital city is Kaduna and its slogan is “Centre of Education”
- Kano State: Its capital city is Kano and its slogan is “Centre of Commerce”
- Katsina State: Its capital city is Katsina and its slogan is “Home of Hospitality”
- Kebbi State: Its capital city is Birnin Kebbi and its slogan is “Land of Equity”
- Kogi State: Its capital city is Lokoja and its slogan is “The Influence State”
- Kwara State: Its capital city is Ilorin and its slogan is “The Place of Harmony”
- Lagos State: Its capital is Ikeja and its slogan is “Centre of Excellence”
- Nassarawa State: Its capital city is Lafia and its slogan is “Nigeria’s Home of Solid Minerals”
- Niger State: Its capital city is Minna and its slogan is “The Power State”
- Ogun State: Its capital city is Abeokuta and its slogan is “Gateway State”
- Ondo State: Its capital city is Akure and its slogan is “Sunshine State”
- Osun State: Its capital city is Osogbo and its slogan is “State of the Living Spring”
- Oyo State: Its capital city is Ibadan and its slogan is and its slogan is
“Pace Setter” - Plateau State: Its capital city is Jos and its slogan is “Home of Peace & Tourism”
- Rivers State: Its capital city is Port Harcourt and its slogan is “Treasure Base”
- Sokoto State: Its capital city is Sokoto and its slogan is “The Seat of the Caliphate”
- Taraba State: Its capital city is Jalingo and its slogan is “Nature’s Gift to the Nation”
- Yobe State: Its capital city is Damaturu and its slogan is “The Young Shall Grow”
- Zamfara State: Its capital city is Gusau and its slogan is “Home of Agricultural Products”
There you have it!
However, some Nigerians think some of those names are ill-fitting. They believe there are some states that should not be given the nickname by which they are called. They specifically mention 5 of those states as those with ill-fitting nicknames.
The states are:
- Edo State
- Abia State
- Bayelsa state
- Niger State
- Borno State
What reasons did they give for this seemingly strange opinion? Check their reasons below
Also Read: States and Capital in Nigeria
Edo State
Nick name for the state is Heart Beat of the Nation. Some think that Edo State does not deserve that name. They are of the opinion that Edo State is not virtuous enough to be called by that nickname, considering the deep seated immorality that plays out in the state.
What many people think of when they hear Edo is prostitution. However, one wonders if there are no prostitutes in virtually all states in Nigeria.
Abia State
The state is nicknamed God’s Own State. Some think the dirty nature of Aba, the commercial city of Abia State, makes the state unworthy of the nickname ascribed to it.
They also said the rate of poor imitation of China products and inferior goods at Aba also disqualifies the state from bearing such nickname. However, one wonders if Aba is the only dirty city in Nigeria.
Bayelsa State
The state is nicknamed Pride of the Nation. Those who think the state does not deserve the nickname say the fact that Diepreye Alamieyeseigha originated from the state had removed any reason why it should be referred to as Pride of the Nation.
They also referred to a particular Nigerian musician that hails from Bayelsa State. They think his song is too unprofessional and unbefitting of a product from the supposed Pride of the Nation.
However, one wonders if Alam was the only corrupt person in Nigeria or if there are no wacky musicians from other parts of the country.
Niger State
Nickname of the state is The Power State. Those who oppose this name think the state should have been nicknamed The Undulating State. They equally think Kainji Dam is not producing enough power to make the nickname fitting of the state.
Borno State
Nickname of the state is Home of Peace. Those who condemned this name give reference to the continual menace of Boko Haram in the state that had turned the place to a home of terror.