The 36 states and capitals in Nigeria form the country’s administrative structure. Nigeria has 36 states and one Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Abuja is the nation’s capital, although it is not one of the 36 states. Together, the states form the country’s six geopolitical zones: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South and South West.
Whether you are preparing for WAEC, NECO or JAMB, researching Nigeria’s geography or looking for a quick reference, this guide lists every state, its capital, geopolitical zone, official slogan and year of creation.
Complete List of the 36 States and Capitals in Nigeria
| State | Capital | Geopolitical Zone | Official Slogan | Year Created |
| Abia | Umuahia | South East | God’s Own State | 1991 |
| Adamawa | Yola | North East | Land of Beauty | 1991 |
| Akwa Ibom | Uyo | South South | Land of Promise | 1987 |
| Anambra | Awka | South East | Light of the Nation | 1991 |
| Bauchi | Bauchi | North East | Pearl of Tourism | 1976 |
| Bayelsa | Yenagoa | South South | Glory of All Lands | 1996 |
| Benue | Makurdi | North Central | Food Basket of the Nation | 1976 |
| Borno | Maiduguri | North East | Home of Peace | 1976 |
| Cross River | Calabar | South South | The People’s Paradise | 1967 |
| Delta | Asaba | South South | The Big Heart | 1991 |
| Ebonyi | Abakaliki | South East | Salt of the Nation | 1996 |
| Edo | Benin City | South South | Heartbeat of the Nation | 1991 |
| Ekiti | Ado-Ekiti | South West | Fountain of Knowledge | 1996 |
| Enugu | Enugu | South East | Coal City State | 1991 |
| Gombe | Gombe | North East | Jewel in the Savannah | 1996 |
| Imo | Owerri | South East | Eastern Heartland | 1976 |
| Jigawa | Dutse | North West | The New World | 1991 |
| Kaduna | Kaduna | North West | Centre of Learning | 1967 |
| Kano | Kano | North West | Centre of Commerce | 1967 |
| Katsina | Katsina | North West | Home of Hospitality | 1987 |
| Kebbi | Birnin Kebbi | North West | Land of Equity | 1991 |
| Kogi | Lokoja | North Central | The Confluence State | 1991 |
| Kwara | Ilorin | North Central | State of Harmony | 1967 |
| Lagos | Ikeja | South West | Centre of Excellence | 1967 |
| Nasarawa | Lafia | North Central | Home of Solid Minerals | 1996 |
| Niger | Minna | North Central | The Power State | 1976 |
| Ogun | Abeokuta | South West | Gateway State | 1976 |
| Ondo | Akure | South West | Sunshine State | 1976 |
| Osun | Osogbo | South West | State of the Living Spring | 1991 |
| Oyo | Ibadan | South West | Pace Setter State | 1976 |
| Plateau | Jos | North Central | Home of Peace and Tourism | 1976 |
| Rivers | Port Harcourt | South South | Treasure Base of the Nation | 1967 |
| Sokoto | Sokoto | North West | Seat of the Caliphate | 1976 |
| Taraba | Jalingo | North East | Nature’s Gift to the Nation | 1991 |
| Yobe | Damaturu | North East | Pride of the Sahel | 1991 |
| Zamfara | Gusau | North West | Farming Is Our Pride | 1996 |
36 States and Capitals in Nigeria by Geopolitical Zone
Nigeria groups its states into six geopolitical zones. Although the zones do not appear in the Constitution as administrative units, government agencies, businesses and researchers use them for planning, data analysis and regional coordination.
North Central States and Capitals
North Central has six states.
| State | Capital |
| Benue | Makurdi |
| Kogi | Lokoja |
| Kwara | Ilorin |
| Nasarawa | Lafia |
| Niger | Minna |
| Plateau | Jos |
Abuja sits within the North Central region as the Federal Capital Territory. However, it is not a state.
North East States and Capitals
The North East also has six states.
| State | Capital |
| Adamawa | Yola |
| Bauchi | Bauchi |
| Borno | Maiduguri |
| Gombe | Gombe |
| Taraba | Jalingo |
| Yobe | Damaturu |
The largest state in Nigeria by land area is Niger State, covering about 76,363 km². Borno is among the largest states but ranks behind Niger. Gombe is the smallest state in the zone.
North West States and Capitals
Seven states make up the North West, giving it the highest number of states of any geopolitical zone.
| State | Capital |
| Jigawa | Dutse |
| Kaduna | Kaduna |
| Kano | Kano |
| Katsina | Katsina |
| Kebbi | Birnin Kebbi |
| Sokoto | Sokoto |
| Zamfara | Gusau |
Kano is Nigeria’s most populous state based on the 2006 national census. More recent figures published by government agencies and international organisations are population estimates rather than census results.
South East States and Capitals
The South East has five states.
| State | Capital |
| Abia | Umuahia |
| Anambra | Awka |
| Ebonyi | Abakaliki |
| Enugu | Enugu |
| Imo | Owerri |
Enugu served as the capital of the former Eastern Region before Nigeria adopted its current state structure.
South South States and Capitals
Six states form the South South geopolitical zone.
| State | Capital |
| Akwa Ibom | Uyo |
| Bayelsa | Yenagoa |
| Cross River | Calabar |
| Delta | Asaba |
| Edo | Benin City |
| Rivers | Port Harcourt |
The South South comprises Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers. Five of the six states have a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Edo is inland but remains part of the South South geopolitical zone and the Niger Delta region.
South West States and Capitals
The South West consists of six states.
| State | Capital |
| Ekiti | Ado-Ekiti |
| Lagos | Ikeja |
| Ogun | Abeokuta |
| Ondo | Akure |
| Osun | Osogbo |
| Oyo | Ibadan |
Lagos was Nigeria’s federal capital until the government formally moved the capital to Abuja in 1991. Today, Ikeja remains the capital of Lagos State.
Federal Capital Territory, State Creation and Facts About Nigeria’s 36 States
Abuja is the capital of Nigeria and the country’s only Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It operates under the Federal Capital Territory Administration instead of a state government. For that reason, Abuja does not appear on the list of Nigeria’s 36 states.
Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960 with three regions: Northern, Western and Eastern. A fourth region, the Mid-Western Region, followed in 1963. The military government replaced the regional structure with 12 states in 1967. Another round of restructuring increased the number to 19 states in 1976, 21 in 1987, 30 in 1991 and 36 in 1996. Nigeria has kept the same number of states since then.
Quick Facts About the 36 States in Nigeria
| Fact | State |
| Largest state by land area | Niger |
| Smallest state by land area | Lagos |
| Most populous state (2006 census) | Kano |
| Commercial centre | Lagos |
| Largest city by population | Lagos |
| The first capital of Nigeria | Lagos |
| Current capital of Nigeria | Abuja (FCT) |
| State with the most local government areas | Kano (44 LGAs) |
| State with the fewest local government areas | Bayelsa (8 LGAs) |
| Newest states | Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nasarawa and Zamfara (1996) |
Nigeria has 774 local government areas spread across its 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Kano has the highest number with 44, while Bayelsa has eight.
Lagos is Nigeria’s smallest state by land area. Even so, it remains the country’s largest urban economy and one of Africa’s biggest metropolitan areas.
Borno covers the largest land area in Nigeria. It stretches across the country’s north-eastern border and shares boundaries with Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
FAQs About the 36 States and Capitals in Nigeria
What are the 36 states and capitals in Nigeria?
Nigeria has 36 states. Each state has a capital city, while Abuja serves as the Federal Capital Territory. The full alphabetical list appears in the table above.
Are there 36 states in Nigeria?
Yes. Nigeria has maintained 36 states since General Sani Abacha created Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nasarawa and Zamfara states on 1 October 1996.
What is the capital of Nigeria?
Abuja is the capital of Nigeria. It replaced Lagos as the country’s federal capital in December 1991.
Is Abuja one of the 36 states?
No. Abuja is the Federal Capital Territory. It has a different administrative structure from Nigeria’s 36 states.
Which state is the largest in Nigeria?
Borno is the largest state by land area. Lagos is the smallest by land area.
Which state has the highest population?
According to the 2006 Population and Housing Census, Kano was Nigeria’s most populous state. Newer figures published by government agencies are population estimates because Nigeria has not conducted another national population census since 2006.
Which geopolitical zone has the most states?
The North West has seven states: Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara. The remaining zones have either five or six states.
Which state has the most local government areas?
Kano has 44 local government areas, the highest number among Nigeria’s states. Bayelsa has the fewest with eight.
Which state is the oldest in Nigeria?
Nigeria’s current states emerged through different phases of state creation. None of the present-day 36 states predates the regional system that existed before 1967. Cross River, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Lagos and Rivers are among the states created during the first nationwide restructuring in 1967.
Which states were created in 1996?
The Federal Government created Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nasarawa and Zamfara on 1 October 1996. That exercise increased the number of states from 30 to 36.
Is Lagos the capital of Nigeria?
No. Abuja is Nigeria’s capital. Lagos served as the federal capital until the seat of government moved to Abuja in December 1991.
What is the difference between a state and the Federal Capital Territory?
Each state has an elected governor and a state government. The Federal Capital Territory is administered by the Federal Capital Territory Administration under a minister appointed by the President of Nigeria.
Conclusion
Nigeria has 36 states and one Federal Capital Territory. The states are spread across six geopolitical zones, while Abuja serves as the country’s capital. The table in this guide lists every state alongside its capital, official slogan, geopolitical zone and year of creation.
