From Imo to Abia, Oyo to Osun, Kano to Jigawa — The Story Behind Nigeria’s Changing Political Map
Nigeria has 36 states today, but the political map Nigerians know was not always this way.
Some of the states that now have their own governors, capitals, House of Assembly and distinct administrative identities were once parts of much larger states.
In fact, 10 familiar Nigerian states were created from older states during the major state-creation exercise of 1991, dramatically reshaping the country’s political map.
Here are the stories behind them:
1. ABIA — BORN FROM IMO
Abia State was carved out of the former Imo State in 1991.
Today, Abia is a major economic centre in the South-East, with Umuahia as its capital and Aba widely recognised for its commercial and manufacturing activities.
2. ADAMAWA — BORN FROM GONGOLA
Before Adamawa became a state in its present form, the territory was part of the former Gongola State.
Adamawa emerged in 1991, following the breakup of Gongola.
3. DELTA — BORN FROM BENDEL
The former Bendel State once covered territories that are today divided between Edo and Delta states.
In 1991, Delta State was created from Bendel, permanently changing the political map of the region.
4. EDO — BORN FROM BENDEL
Edo shares the same historical parent with Delta.
When Bendel State was split in 1991, Edo State emerged alongside Delta State.
Benin City became the capital of the new Edo State.
5. ENUGU — BORN FROM ANAMBRA
Enugu State was created from the former Anambra State in 1991.
The development gave the area a separate state administration, with Enugu retaining its historic importance as the state capital.
6. JIGAWA — BORN FROM KANO
What is now Jigawa State was once part of the enormous Kano State.
In 1991, Jigawa was created, giving the territory its own state government and administrative structure.
7. KEBBI — BORN FROM SOKOTO
Kebbi State also emerged in 1991, when part of the former Sokoto State was carved out to create a new state.
Birnin Kebbi became the capital of the new state.
8. KOGI — BORN FROM TWO STATES
Kogi has a particularly interesting origin.
Unlike states created entirely from one former state, Kogi was formed from parts of the old Kwara and Benue states in 1991.
Lokoja became the capital of the new state.
9. OSUN — BORN FROM OYO
Osun State was created from the former Oyo State in 1991.
The creation gave the Yoruba-speaking communities in the area a separate state structure, with Osogbo becoming the capital.
10. YOBE — BORN FROM BORNO
Yobe State was carved out of the former Borno State in 1991.
Damaturu became the capital of the new state, as the administrative map of the North-East was significantly reorganised.
THE BIG PICTURE
The creation of these states shows just how dramatically Nigeria’s political boundaries have changed.
Bendel disappeared. Gongola disappeared. Large portions of Oyo, Imo, Anambra, Kano, Sokoto, Kwara, Benue and Borno were reorganised to create new states.
What Nigerians now regard as established states were, in many cases, once simply parts of much larger political territories.
And that raises an interesting question:
HOW MANY NIGERIANS ACTUALLY KNOW THE STATE THEIR OWN STATE WAS CREATED FROM?
