How many states are in Nigeria? Is FCT a state? In this article, we’ll share with you a comprehensive list of Nigerian 36 states and capital and their slogans. Also, you’ll find information about the current governors of each state, and links to universities in each state.
There are 36 states in addition to the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, which makes Nigeria a sovereign state. It is home to around 250 distinct cultural groups, the most prominent of which are the Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo.
When the British Protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria were combined in 1914, the area that is now known as Nigeria became a colony of the United Kingdom. Independence was achieved in 1960, and republic status was attained in 1963.
The nation is located in Africa on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, and its capital and political center is the city of Abuja. Nigeria is home to a great number of natural attractions and animal sanctuaries.
Waterfalls, deep rain forests, savannas, and unique primate habitats may be found in national parks and other protected places such as Cross River National Park and Yankari National Park.
The country of Nigeria is home to a wealth of natural resources, most notably significant reserves of petroleum and natural gas. Niger is to the north of Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon are to the east, the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean is to the south, and Benin is to the west. Nigeria has a total land area of 356,669 square miles (923,768 sq km).
In terms of government, Nigeria is divided into six geopolitical zones. Each zone is made up of at least six states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is the center of government. Nigeria is a federation of 36 states and capitals and one Federal Capital Territory in West Africa.
Related: The 9 Provinces in South Africa and Their Capital Cities
What are the Nigerian 36 states and capital and their slogan?
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says that each of Nigeria’s 36 states is a semi-autonomous political unit that shares power with the federal government. Each state has its own government and constitution.
Before it gained its independence, Nigeria was divided into only three areas: the northern, the eastern, and the southern divisions. The nation is home to three main ethnic groups and languages: the Hausa, the Igbo, and the Yoruba, with English serving as the country’s official language.
The most important nation Christianity (Protestant, other Christians, and Roman Catholic), Islam, and traditional beliefs are the many forms of the faith.
For the sake of our conversation, we are going to zero in on the many slogans that are associated with her states and capital, as well as the names of her states and capital.
You will have a better understanding of the names of Nigeria’s 36 states, as well as its capital and slogan, after you have finished reading this page. You will also find out the year when each of Nigeria’s states came into existence.
Nigerian 36 States and Capital and Their Slogans With Current Governors
S. No | State | Capital | Slogan | Current Governor |
01 | Abia State | Umuahia | God’s Own State | Alex Otti |
02 | Adamawa State | Yola | Land of Beauty | Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri |
03 | Akwa Ibom State | Uyo | Land of Promise | Umo Eno |
04 | Anambra State | Awka | Light of the Nation | Charles Soludo |
05 | Bauchi State | Bauchi | Pearl of Tourism | Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed |
06 | Bayelsa State | Yenagoa | Glory of all lands | Douye Diri |
07 | Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia | Makurdi | Food Basket of the Nation | Samuel Ortom |
08 | Borno State | Maiduguri | Home of Peace | Babagana Umara Zulum |
09 | Cross River State | Calabar | The People’s Paradise | Bassey Otu |
10 | Delta State | Asaba | The Big Heart | Sheriff Oborevwori |
11 | Ebonyi State | Abakaliki | Salt of the Nation | Francis Nwifuru |
12 | Edo State | Benin City | Heart Beat of Nigeria | Godwin Obaseki |
13 | Ekiti State | Ado – Ekiti | Land of Honour and Integrity | Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji |
14 | Enugu State | Enugu | Coal City State | Peter Mbah |
15 | Gombe State | Gombe | Jewel in the Savannah | Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya |
16 | Imo State | Owerri | Eastern Heartland | Hope Odidika Uzodinma |
17 | Jigawa State | Dutse | The New World | Umar Namadi |
18 | Kaduna State | Kaduna | Centre of Learning | Uba Sani |
19 | Kano State | Kano | Centre of Commerce | Abba Yusuf |
20 | Katsina State | Katsina | Home of Hospitality | Dikko Radda |
21 | Kebbi State | Birnin Kebbi | Land of Equity | Nasir Idris |
22 | Kogi State | Lokoja | The Confluence State | Ahmed Usman-Ododo |
23 | Kwara State | Ilorin | State of Harmony | Abdul Rahman Abdul Razaq |
24 | Lagos State | Ikeja | Centre of Excellence | Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu |
25 | Nasarawa State | Lafia | Home of Solid Minerals | Abdullahi Sule |
26 | Niger State | Minna | The Power State | Umar Bago |
27 | Ogun State | Abeokuta | Gateway State | Dapo Abiodun |
28 | Ondo State | Akure | Sunshine State | Rotimi Akeredolu |
29 | Osun State | Oshogbo | The State of the Living Spring | Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke |
30 | Oyo State | Ibadan | Pace Setter State | Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde |
31 | Plateau State | Jos | Home of Peace and Tourism | Caleb Mutfwang |
32 | Rivers State | Port Harcourt | Treasure Base of the Nation | Siminalayi Fubara |
33 | Sokoto State | Sokoto | Seat of the Caliphate | Ahmad Aliyu |
34 | Taraba State | Jalingo | Nature’s Gift to the Nation | Kefas Agbu |
35 | Yobe State | Damaturu | Pride of the Sahel | Mai Mala Buni |
36 | Zamfara State | Gusau | Farming is Our Pride | Dauda Lawal |
Did You Know?: The elected governors in the march 18, 2023 governorship elections comprises 18 newcomers and 10 returning members. Eight states – Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun – were excluded from the transformative events. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will hold off-cycle elections at different periods over the upcoming three years for these states to establish their respective governors.
Related: Top 10 Richest States in Nigeria
NOTE: Kogi State, Bayelsa State, and Imo State, experienced an off-cycle election on 11th of November 2023, and the outcome are as follow:
- Ahmed Usman-Ododo – New Kogi State Governor (Re-elected)
Douye Diri – Bayelsa State Governor (Re-elected) - Hope Odidika Uzodinma – Imo State (Re-elected)
Now, we have an updated list of Nigerian 36 states and capitals and their governors.
Fun Facts About States in Nigeria
- The motto “Centre of Excellence” is mostly due to Lagos state’s massive population, which is three times that of Nigeria’s largest state, Niger state.
- Niger State is home to three of Nigeria’s main hydroelectric power plants. “The Power State” is its slogan.
- “The Fountain of Knowledge” was Ekiti’s previous slogan. It was renamed “Land of Honour” in April 2019.
- Cross River is the only state with a tourist destination in nearly every LGA, which is why the state’s slogan is “The People’s Paradise.”
- Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state, is greater than Ekiti, Abia, Lagos, Imo, Anambra, and Ebonyi combined.
- Bornu state’s tagline, strangely, is “The Home of Peace”.
- Nasarawa has at least 20 identified natural resources. It’s no surprise that its slogan is “Home of Solid Minerals”.
- Oyo state is known as the “Pace Setter State” since it is the home to some of Nigeria’s FIRST. For example, Liberty Stadium was the first stadium in Nigeria and Africa, and Western Nigerian Television (later NTA) was the first television station in Nigeria.
- The tagline “Farming is Our Pride” refers to the fact that over 80% of the population in Zamfara are farmers.
- Niger state is known as “the confluence state” since it is located at the junction of the Niger and Benue rivers.
Geography and Location of Nigeria With Map
Let’s take a fantastic voyage through the geography and location of our beautiful Nigeria. Imagine the map of Africa; Nigeria is like a heart, beating in the western section of the continent. It is a country with various landscapes and an extensive heritage of culture, making it a really unique location on our lovely planet.
Nigeria is located between latitudes 4° and 14° N and longitudes 3° and 15° E. This means we’re nestled just above the equator, which adds to our warm and tropical environment. To the west, we have in common borders with Benin, while to the east, we share borders with Cameroon. We are bounded to the north by the enormous expanses of Niger and Chad, and to the south by the blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean. This strategic standing not only provides us with a diverse range of landscapes, but also places us at a cultural crossroads.
The Nigerian Map Showing All 36 States & FCT
Nigeria is enormous! In actuality, it is Africa’s 14th largest country, having an area of around 923,768 square kilometers. Because of its size, it is home to a wide range of landscapes, from the Sahel savannah in the far north to the lush rainforests in the south. Plateaus and hills characterize the central area, with the famed Jos Plateau standing proudly as a natural fortress in the heart of our country.
Finally, Nigeria is not only geographically diverse; it is also culturally diverse. From ancient trade routes to imperial influences, our strategic location has played an important part in defining our history.
Nigerian 36 States and Capital and Their slogans (summary)
Nigeria has more than 220 million people, which is about the same as Brazil’s population. Areas that make up the Nigerian 36 states and capital were all made at different times, but not always in the same order.
In alphabetical order, here are the Nigerian 36 states and capital and their slogans (old and new):
- Abia State – Umuahia : God’s own State
- Adamawa State – Yola: Highest peak of the nation
- Akwa Ibom State – Uyo : Land of promise
- State – Awka: Light of the nation
- Bauchi State – Bauchi : Pearl of Tourism
- Bayelsa State – Yenagoa: The Glory of All Lands
- Benue State – Makurdi : Food basket of the Nation
- Borno State – Maiduguri : Home of Peace
- Edo State – Benin City : The Heart Beat of the Nation
- Delta State – Asaba : The Finger of God
- Ebonyi State – Abakaliki : The salt of the nation
- Cross River State – Calabar : The people’s paradise
- Ekiti State: – Ado – Ekiti : Former slogan: Fountain of Knowledge New slogan: Land of honour and integrity
- Enugu State: – Enugu : Coal City State
- Gombe State: – Gombe : Jewel in the Savannah
- Imo State:- Owerri : Old slogan: Land of Hope New slogan: Eastern heartland
- Jigawa State: – Dutse : The New World
- Kaduna State: – Kaduna: Former slogan: Liberal State new slogan: Centre of learning
- Kano State: Kano : Centre of Commerce
- Katsina State:– Katsina : State of Hospitality
- Kebbi State :- Birnin Kebbi : Land of Equity
- Kogi State:– Lokoja :The Confluence State
- Kwara State:- Ilorin : The state of Harmony
- Lagos State:- Ikeja: Centre of Excellence
- Nasarawa State:– Lafia : The home of Solid Minerals
- Niger State:– Minna: The power State
- Ogun State:– Abeokuta: The Gateway State
- Ondo State:- Akure: The sunshine State
- Osun State :- Oshogbo : Old slogan: State of living spring New slogan: Land of virtue
- Oyo State:- Ibadan : The pace setter State
- Plateau State:– Jos : Home of peace and tourism
- Rivers State :- Port Harcourt : Treasure base of the Nation
- Sokoto State :– Sokoto : Seat of the Caliphate
- Taraba State:- Jalingo : Nature’s gift to the Nation
- Yobe State:- Damaturu : Old slogan: The young shall grow New slogan: Pride of the Sahel
- Zamfara State:– Gusau :Old slogan: Home of Agricultural Products, New slogan: Farming is our pride
Abuja has been the capital of Nigeria since 1991, but prior to that, there have been other official and unofficial capitals.
There’s no doubt that each state has the qualities written in its motto. So, if you’re Nigerian, tell us which state you’re from.
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thank you this was very useful
Thanks for your comment, it means a lot
Anambra here I go.
Light of the nation. We always light the nation anywhere we go.
I am from The Big Heart ❤️
Thanks for your comment
I am from gateway state
BTW very good information
I am from the Eastern Heartland
Very good and very important information’s,
Finally, very Good work .
I am from SALT of the Nation.