What are the capitals of the list of States in Nigeria? How many states and capital do we have? How many states are in Nigeria and their names? How many states does Nigeria have in 2021? Who divided Nigeria into 36 states? What are the 36 states of Nigeria and their capital? What is the oldest state in Nigeria? Is Abuja a state or capital?
See Also: Names Of Presidents In Nigeria From 1960 Till Date
Creation Of States In Nigeria
Between 1960 and 1963 when Nigeria got her independence, the country was a Federal State of three Regions comprising the Northern, Western, and Eastern regions. Additionally, provinces, which were a legacy of colonial and protectorate times, remained extant until they were abolished in 1976.
And in 1963, a new region, the Mid-Western Region, was created from the Western Region.
By the year 1967, the regions were replaced with 12 states by military decree. Between 1967 to 1970 the Eastern Region attempted to secede, as a nation called Biafra during the Nigerian civil war.
And so by 1976, seven new states were created, making the list of States n Nigeria 19 altogether.
From 1987 to 1991, there were 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
And between 1991-1996, there were 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Federal Capital Territory was established in 1991.
In 1987 two new states were established, followed by another nine in 1991, bringing the total of States in Nigeria to 30.
The latest change in the States in Nigeria in 1996 resulted in the present number of 36 states.
Let’s now see the list of states in Nigeria, their capitals, population, slogan, mineral and natural resources and their present governors.
States In Nigeria And Their Capital Cities
1. Abia State
- Capital: Umuahia
- Population: 3,727,347
- Slogan: God’s Own State
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Gold, Lead/Zinc, Limestone, Oil/Gas & Salt
- Current Governor: Okezie Ikpeazu
2. Adamawa State
- Capital: Yola
- Population: 4,248,436
- Slogan: Land of Beauty
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Bentonite, Gypsum, Kaolin & Magnesite
- Current Governor: Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri
3. Akwa Ibom State
- Capital: Uyo
- Population: 5,482,177
- Slogan: Land of Promise
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Clay, Lead/Zinc, Lignite, Limestone, Oil/Gas, Salt & Uranium
- Current Governor: Udom Gabriel Emmanuel
4. Anambra State
- Capital: Awka
- Population: 5,527,809
- Slogan: Light of the Nation
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Clay, Glass-Sand, Gypsum, Iron-ore, Lead/Zinc, Lignite, Limestone, Phosphate & Salt
- Current Governor: Charles Soludo
5. Bauchi State
- Capital: Bauchi
- Population: 6,537,314
- Slogan: Pearl of Tourism
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Gold, Cassiterite (tine ore), Columbite, Gypsum, Wolfram, Coal, Limestone, Lignite, Iron-ore & Clay
- Current Governor: Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed
6. Bayelsa State
- Capital: Yenagoa
- Population: 2,277,961
- Slogan: Glory of all lands
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Clay, Gypsum, Lead/Zinc, Lignite, Limestone, Maganese, Oil/Gas & Uranium
- Current Governor: Douye Diri
7. Benue State
- Capital: Makurdi
- Population: 5,741,815
- Slogan: Food Basket of the Nation
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Barite, Clay, Coal, Gemstone, Gypsum, Iron-Ore, Lead/Zinc, Limestone, Marble & Salt
- Current Governor: Samuel Ortom
8. Borno State
- Capital: Maiduguri
- Population: 5,860,183
- Slogan: Home of Peace
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Bentonite, Clay, Diatomite, Gypsum, Hydro-carbon, Kaolin & Limestone
- Current Governor: Babagana Umara Zulum
9. Cross River State
- Capital: Calabar
- Population: 3,866,269
- Slogan: The People’s Paradise
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Barite, Lead/Zinc, Lignite, Limestone, Manganese, Oil/Gas, Salt & Uranium
- Current Governor: Benedict Ayade
10. Delta State
- Capital: Asaba
- Population: 5,663,362
- Slogan: The Big Heart
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Clay, Glass-sand, Gypsum, Iron-ore, Kaolin, Lignite, Marble & Oil/Gas
- Current Governor: Ifeanyi Okowa
11. Ebonyi State
- Capital: Abakaliki
- Population: 2,880,383
- Slogan: Salt of the Nation
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Gold, Lead/Zinc & Salt
- Current Governor: Dave Umahi
12. Edo State
- Capital: Benin City
- Population: 4,235,595
- Slogan: Heart Beat of Nigeria
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Bitumen, Clay Dolomite, Phosphate, Glass-sand, Gold, Gypsum, Iron-ore, Lignite, Limestone, Marble & Oil/Gas
- Current Governor: Godwin Obaseki
13. Ekiti State
- Capital: Ado – Ekiti
- Population: 3,270,798
- Slogan: Land of Honour and Integrity
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Feldspar, Granite, Kaolin, Syenite & Tatium
- Current Governor: John Olukayode Fayemi
14. Enugu State
- Capital: Enugu
- Population: 4,411,119
- Slogan: Coal City State
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Coal, Lead/Zinc & Limestone
- Current Governor: Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
15. Gombe State
- Capital: Gombe
- Population: 3,256,962
- Slogan: Jewel in the Savannah
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Gemstone & Gypsum
- Current Governor: Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya
16. Imo State
- Capital: Owerri
- Population: 5,408,756
- Slogan: Eastern Heartland
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Gypsum, Lead/Zinc, Lignite, Limestone, Marcasite, Oil/Gas, Phosphate & Salt
- Current Governor: Hope Odidika Uzodinma
17. Jigawa State
- Capital: Dutse
- Population: 5,828,163
- Slogan: The New World
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Butyles
- Current Governor: Badaru Abubakar
18. Kaduna State
- Capital: Kaduna
- Population: 8,252,366
- Slogan: Centre of Learning
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Amethyst, Aqua Marine, Asbestos, Clay, Flosper, Gemstone, Gold, Graphite, Kaolin, Kyanite, Mica, Rock Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, Sihnite, Superntinite, Tentalime, Topaz & Tourmaline
- Current Governor: Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai
19. Kano State
- Capital: Kano
- Population: 12,550,598
- Slogan: Centre of Commerce
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Gassiterite, Copper, Gemstone, Glass-sand, Lead/Zinc, Pyrochinre & Tantalite
- Current Governor: Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
20. Katsina State
- Capital: Katsina
- Population: 7,831,319
- Slogan: Home of Hospitality
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Kaolin, Marble & Salt
- Current Governor: Aminu Bello Masari
21. Kebbi State
- Capital: Birnin Kebbi
- Population: 4,440,050
- Slogan: Land of Equity
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Gold
- Current Governor: Abubakar Atiku Bagudu
22. Kogi State
- Capital: Lokoja
- Population: 4,473,490
- Slogan: The Confluence State
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Cole, Dolomite, Feldspar, Gypsum, Iron-ore, Kaolin, Marble, Talc & Tantalite
- Current Governor: Yahaya Adoza Bello
23. Kwara State
- Capital: Ilorin
- Population: 3,192,893
- Slogan: State of Harmony
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Cassiterite, Columbite, Feldspar, Gold, Iron-ore, Marble, Mica & Tantalite
- Current Governor: Abdul Rahman Abdul Razaq
24. Lagos State
- Capital: Ikeja
- Population: 21,000,000
- Slogan: Centre of Excellence
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Bitumen, Clay & Glass-sand
- Current Governor: Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu
25. Nasarawa State
- Capital: Lafia
- Population: 2,523,395
- Slogan: Home of Solid Minerals
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Amethyst (Topaz Garnet), Barytex, Barite, Cassirite, Chalcopyrite, Clay, Columbite, Coking Coal, Dolomite/Marble, Feldspar, Galena, Iron-ore, Limestone, Mica, Salt, Sapphire, Talc, Tantalite, Tourmaline Quartz& Zircon
- Current Governor: Abdullahi Sule
26. Niger State
- Capital: Minna
- Population: 5,556,247
- Slogan: The Power State
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Gold, Lead/Zinc & Talc
- Current Governor: Abubakar Sani Bello
27. Ogun State
- Capital: Abeokuta
- Population: 5,217,716
- Slogan: Gateway State
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Bitumen, Clay, Feldspar, Gemstone, Kaolin, Limestone & Phosphate
- Current Governor: Dapo Abiodun
28. Ondo State
- Capital: Akure
- Population: 4,671,695
- Slogan: Sunshine State
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Bitumen, Clay, Coal, Dimension Stones, Feldspar, Gemstone, Glass-Sand, Granite, Gypsum, Kaolin, Limestone & Oil/Gas
- Current Governor: Rotimi Akeredolu
29. Osun State
- Capital: Oshogbo
- Population: 4,705,589
- Slogan: Land of Virtue
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Columbite, Gold, Granite, Talc, Tantalite & Tourmaline
- Current Governor: Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola
30. Oyo State
- Capital: Ibadan
- Population: 7,840,864
- Slogan: Pace Setter State
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Aqua Marine, Cassiterite, Clay, Dolomite, Gemstone, Gold, Kaolin, Marble, Silimonite, Talc & Tantalite
- Current Governor: Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde
31. Plateau State
- Capital: Jos
- Population: 4,200,442
- Slogan: Home of Peace and Tourism
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Barite, Bauxite, Betonite, Bismuth, Cassiterite, Clay, Coal, Emeral, Fluoride, Gemstone, Granite, Iron-ore, Kaolin, Lead/Zinc, Marble, Molybdenite, Phrochlore, Salt, Tantalite/Columbite, Tin & Wolfram
- Current Governor: Simon Lalong
32. Rivers State
- Capital: Port Harcourt
- Population: 7,303,924
- Slogan: Treasure Base of the Nation
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Clay, Glass-Sand, Lignite, Marble & Oil/Gas
- Current Governor: Ezenwo Nyesom Wike
33. Sokoto State
- Capital: Sokoto
- Population: 4,998,090
- Slogan: Seat of the Caliphate
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Clay, Flakes, Gold, Granite, Gypsum, Kaolin, Laterite, Limestone, Phosphate, Potash, Silica Sand & Salt
- Current Governor: Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
34. Taraba State
- Capital: Jalingo
- Population: 3,066,834
- Slogan: Nature’s Gift to the Nation
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Lead/Zinc
- Current Governor: Darius Ishaku
35. Yobe State
- Capital: Damaturu
- Population: 3,294,137
- Slogan: Pride of the Sahel
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Soda Ash & Tintomite
- Current Governor: Mai Mala Buni
36. Zamfara State
- Capital: Gusau
- Population: 3,066,834
- Slogan: Farming is Our Pride
- Mineral/Natural Resources: Coal, Cotton & Gold
- Current Governor: Bello Muhammad Mutawalle
Wrap Up
That is the list of States in Nigeria. But aside from the 36 States, there is a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja that is being run by a Minister. The current FCT Minister is Muhammed Bello. The population of the city is put at 3,564,126. Cassiterite, Clay, Dolomite, Gold, Lead/Zinc, Marble & Tantalite are the mineral and natural resources found in the capital of Nigeria.
Article updated 1 day ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
