How Many States are in Nigeria? The Complete List of 36 States and Capitals

If you have ever wondered, "how many states do Nigeria have?" or needed a quick Nigerian states list for a school project or travel guide, you are in the right place.

Nigeria, often referred to as the "Giant of Africa," is a diverse federal republic. To ensure effective governance and representation, the country is divided into several administrative units. Currently, there are 36 states in Nigeria plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

How Many States are in Nigeria?

Nigeria officially consists of 36 states. While Abuja is the capital city of the entire nation, it is not classified as a state but rather a Federal Capital Territory. These 36 states were created at different times in Nigeria's history to bring government closer to the people.

Full List: 36 States in Nigeria and Capital

For those looking for a quick reference, here is the complete 36 states and capital list, arranged in alphabetical order:

S/N	State	Capital
1	Abia	Umuahia
2	Adamawa	Yola
3	Akwa Ibom	Uyo
4	Anambra	Awka
5	Bauchi	Bauchi
6	Bayelsa	Yenagoa
7	Benue	Makurdi
8	Borno	Maiduguri
9	Cross River	Calabar
10	Delta	Asaba
11	Ebonyi	Abakaliki
12	Edo	Benin City
13	Ekiti	Ado Ekiti
14	Enugu	Enugu
15	Gombe	Gombe
16	Imo	Owerri
17	Jigawa	Dutse
18	Kaduna	Kaduna
19	Kano	Kano
20	Katsina	Katsina
21	Kebbi	Birnin Kebbi
22	Kogi	Lokoja
23	Kwara	Ilorin
24	Lagos	Ikeja
25	Nasarawa	Lafia
26	Niger	Minna
27	Ogun	Abeokuta
28	Ondo	Akure
29	Osun	Osogbo
30	Oyo	Ibadan
31	Plateau	Jos
32	Rivers	Port Harcourt
33	Sokoto	Sokoto
34	Taraba	Jalingo
35	Yobe	Damaturu
36	Zamfara	Gusau

36 States in Nigeria in Alphabetical Order

The list above is already arranged alphabetically. For quick reference, here is a simple Nigerian states list in alphabetical order without their capitals:

Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara. The Federal Capital Territory is Abuja.

The 6 Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria

For administrative and political purposes, the 36 states in Nigeria are grouped into six geopolitical zones. This grouping is often used in the real estate sector to analyze regional market trends and economic growth.

1. North Central (Middle Belt)

Includes: Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the FCT (Abuja).

2. North East

Includes: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe.

3. North West

Includes: Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

4. South East

Includes: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

5. South South (Niger Delta)

Includes: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers.

6. South West

Includes: Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo.

Spotlight: Five States in Nigeria to Know

To give you a better feel for the country's diversity, let's look at five states in Nigeria that stand out for their economic and housing market significance:

1. Lagos State: The economic heartbeat of Nigeria. It has the most vibrant real estate market in Africa.

2. Kano State: A major commercial hub in Northern Nigeria with a rich history.

3. Rivers State: Known as the "Treasure Base of the Nation," it is a key player in the oil and gas industry.

4. Enugu State: The "Coal City" serves as a major cultural and educational hub for the Southeast.

5. Ogun State: A fast-growing industrial hub, serving as the main expansion point for Lagos residents.

Conclusion

Understanding the 36 states in Nigeria is essential for anyone looking to invest in or navigate the country. Whether you are searching for a Nigerian states list for academic purposes or analyzing the housing market in a specific geopolitical zone, we hope this guide provided the clarity you needed.