NIGERIA: GENERAL INFORMATION
Nigeria is a Federal Republic consisting of 36 states, the Mayoralty of Abuja, (the federal capital) and 774 local governments. It has a landmass of 932,768 square kilometers and is bounded on the west by the Republic of Benin, north by Niger and Chad Republics, west by Republic of Cameroon and south by the Atlantic Ocean.
It obtained independence from United Kingdom on October 1, 1960.
Time Zone
Nigeria is in the GMT + 1 time zone, i.e. one hour ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time.
Vegetation, Seasons and Climate
Nigeria lies between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer. Nigeria's climate varies from tropical (at the coastal areas) to subtropical (in the northern areas).
The south is covered mostly with tropical rain forests, and mangrove swamps towards the Niger Delta area. The vegetation thins towns the north, as it transitions from rain forest to Sahel savannah to the fringes of the Sahara desert.
There are two main seasons - the Dry season, lasting from November to March; and the Rainy season, from April to October. Temperatures at the coast rarely rise above 32ºC (89.6ºF), although humidity can be as high as 95%. The climate further north is drier with occasional sand storms, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (53.6ºF) to 36ºC (96.8ºF). During the rainy season, tropical thunderstorms are a periodic occurrence, especially in the coastal areas, but it is generally a period of cooler temperatures and climate.
People Groups/Ethnic Nationalities
Nigeria is the most populous Black Country in the world, with a population of more than 186 Million (2016 Census estimate). It is estimated that one out of every four blacks on the planet is a Nigerian. Nigeria is endowed with vast and abundant natural and human resources.
Nigerians belong to about 370 people/ethnic groups or tribes. Within these ethnic or language groups, there are different dialects. Members of each group are normally concentrated in one geographical area. Nigerians crisscross the country and live in different parts of the country and speak the language of their host.
Consequently, you find across different towns and cities across Nigeria, a fair representative of most of Nigerian tribes living there. They intermarry, learn the language of the host and ultimately adopt their place of abode as their permanent home. It is quite common to find these communities with their own chiefs and rulers, which are recognized by the host. No town more aptly demonstrates this than the city of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital and former political capital (until 1991). Virtually every Nigerian tribe is represented in Lagos, making it Nigeria's melting pot.
This is replicated in other towns and cities across Nigeria. Of all the Nigerian tribes or people groups, the Ibos are believed to be the most traveled. There is a joke that if you go to any village in Nigeria, and you find no Ibo there, then you better pack your bags and leave. An Ibo man must have been there before you, and had reasons to evacuate. So the modern Nigerian is a man or woman of many ethnic groups and speaks many languages. The lingua franca in Nigeria is English.
Below is is the list of the 36 states of Nigeria, who the names were derived and the ethnic groups in each state.
Nigeria Travel Information
Nigeria Geography
Nigeria Government
Nigeria General Information
Nigeria Population and Demographics
Nigeria Business and Economy
States of Nigeria
Nigeria is a Federal Republic consisting of 36 states, the Mayoralty of Abuja, (the federal capital) and 774 local governments. It has a landmass of 932,768 square kilometers and is bounded on the west by the Republic of Benin, north by Niger and Chad Republics, west by Republic of Cameroon and south by the Atlantic Ocean.
It obtained independence from United Kingdom on October 1, 1960.
Time Zone
Nigeria is in the GMT + 1 time zone, i.e. one hour ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time.
Vegetation, Seasons and Climate
Nigeria lies between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer. Nigeria's climate varies from tropical (at the coastal areas) to subtropical (in the northern areas).
The south is covered mostly with tropical rain forests, and mangrove swamps towards the Niger Delta area. The vegetation thins towns the north, as it transitions from rain forest to Sahel savannah to the fringes of the Sahara desert.
There are two main seasons - the Dry season, lasting from November to March; and the Rainy season, from April to October. Temperatures at the coast rarely rise above 32ºC (89.6ºF), although humidity can be as high as 95%. The climate further north is drier with occasional sand storms, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (53.6ºF) to 36ºC (96.8ºF). During the rainy season, tropical thunderstorms are a periodic occurrence, especially in the coastal areas, but it is generally a period of cooler temperatures and climate.
People Groups/Ethnic Nationalities
Nigeria is the most populous Black Country in the world, with a population of more than 186 Million (2016 Census estimate). It is estimated that one out of every four blacks on the planet is a Nigerian. Nigeria is endowed with vast and abundant natural and human resources.
Nigerians belong to about 370 people/ethnic groups or tribes. Within these ethnic or language groups, there are different dialects. Members of each group are normally concentrated in one geographical area. Nigerians crisscross the country and live in different parts of the country and speak the language of their host.
Consequently, you find across different towns and cities across Nigeria, a fair representative of most of Nigerian tribes living there. They intermarry, learn the language of the host and ultimately adopt their place of abode as their permanent home. It is quite common to find these communities with their own chiefs and rulers, which are recognized by the host. No town more aptly demonstrates this than the city of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital and former political capital (until 1991). Virtually every Nigerian tribe is represented in Lagos, making it Nigeria's melting pot.
This is replicated in other towns and cities across Nigeria. Of all the Nigerian tribes or people groups, the Ibos are believed to be the most traveled. There is a joke that if you go to any village in Nigeria, and you find no Ibo there, then you better pack your bags and leave. An Ibo man must have been there before you, and had reasons to evacuate. So the modern Nigerian is a man or woman of many ethnic groups and speaks many languages. The lingua franca in Nigeria is English.
Below is is the list of the 36 states of Nigeria, who the names were derived and the ethnic groups in each state.
State | How it derived it's name | Ethnic Nationalities | |
1 | Abia State | Abia is an acronym from the four main groups of people in the state as at the time it was formed in 1991: Aba Bende Isuikwuato Afikpo. | Igbo |
2 | Adamawa State | Adamawa was named after a warrior, Modibbo Adama Bin Ardo Hassan, that conquered the region in the beginning of the 19th century. | Palli, Ga’anda, Gira, Gizigz, Gombi, Gude, Gudu, Gwa (Gurawa), Holma, Hona, Ichen, Jibu, Jirai, Kaka, Kambu, Kilba, Kurdul, Lakka, Lala, Ubbo, Mambilla, Matakarn, Bachama, Mbol, Mbula, Muchaila, Mundang, Njayi, Pire, Sukur, Teme, Tigon, Tur, Vemgo, Verre, Wagga, Wula, Wurbo, Banso (Panso), Yungur, Batta, Baya, Bilei, Bille, Botlere, Bura, Bwatiye, Bwazza, Daba, Daka, Gwamba, Longuda (Lunguda), Babur, Kanakuru (Dera), Margi (Marghi), Ngweshe (Ndhang Ngoshe-Ndhang), Shuwa, Higi (Hig), Kanuri |
3 | Akwa Ibom State | Akwa Ibom is named after the Qua Iboe (or Kwa Iboe) River. | Eket, Anang, Ibeno, Ibibio, Okobo (Okkobor), Oron, Andoni |
4 | Anambra State | The state got its name from the corrupted version of Oma Mbala (Ànyịm Ọma Mbala), a popular river in the area. | Igbo |
5 | Bauchi State | Bauchi was named for a hunter known as Baushe, who settled in the region before the arrival of Yakubu, the first traditional ruler of Bauchi emirate (founded 1800–10) | Galambi, Geji, Gera (Gere, Gerawa), Geruma (Gerumawa), Gingwak, Gubi (Gubawa), Gururntum, Gyem, Jaku, Jara (Jaar Jarawa Jarawa-Dutse), Jimbin (Jimbinawa), Kamo, Kariya, Kirfi (Kirfawa), Kubi (Kubawa), Kudachano (Kudawa), Kushi, Kwami (Kwom), Miya (Miyawa), Ningi (Ningawa), Pa’a (Pa’awa Afawa), Pero, Polchi Habe, Rebina (Rebinawa), Sanga, Saya (Sayawa Za’ar), Segidi (Sigidawa), Bambora (Bambarawa), Siri (Sirawa), Tangale, Tula, Waja, Banka (Bankalawa), Warji, Zaranda, Bara (Barawa), Zayam (Zeam), Zul (Zulawa) , Barke, Bele (Buli, Belewa), Boma (Bomawa, Burmano), Bomboro, Buli, Burak, Buta (Butawa), Chama (Chamawa Fitilai), Chamo, Dadiya, Daza (Dere, Derewa), Deno (Denawa), Ouguri, Duma (Dumawa), Longuda (Lunguda), Jukun, Tera (Terawa), Fulani (Pulbe), Hausa, Angas, Jere (Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa), Kwanka (Kwankwa), Limono, Karekare (Karaikarai), Ngamo, Bole (Bolewa) |
6 | Bayelsa State | Bayelsa is a combination of the acronyms of three local government areas which were pulled out of old Rivers state — Brass LGA known as BALGA, Yenegoa LGA known as YELGA and Sagbama LGA known as SALGA. The mathematics involved in the formation of their names is BA + YEL + SA = BAYELSA | lzondjo (Ijaw), Isoko, Urhobo |
7 | Benue State | The state was named after the "europeanised" corruption of 'Binuwe', the Batta word for ‘Mother of Waters’. | Egede (lgedde), Akweya-Yachi, Etolu (Etilo), Ufia, Utonkong, Yalla, lgbo, Jukun, Tiv, Idoma |
8 | Borno State | The alternative name of the Kanuris, the predominant ethnic group in the state, is 'Borno' which gave inspiration for the naming of the state. | Dghwede, Gamergu-Mulgwa, Gavako, Gwoza (Waha), Kanembu, Mandara (Wandala), Mobber, Chinine, Babur, Kanakuru (Dera), Margi (Marghi), Ngweshe (Ndhang Ngoshe-Ndhang), Shuwa, Tera (Terawa), Fulani (Pulbe), Hausa, Higi (Hig), Buduma, Kanuri |
9 | Cross River State | Cross River State derives its name from the Cross River which passes through the state | Abayon, Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk), Efik, Ejagham, Ekajuk, Ekoi, Etung, Ikorn, lyala (lyalla), Anyima, Mbube, Bachere, Nkim, Nkum, Olulumo, Bahumono, Qua, Ukelle, Uyanga, Yache, Yakurr (Yako), Adim, Bekwarra, Bette, Adun, Boki (Nki), Agbo, Ododop, Mbembe |
State | How it derived it's name | Ethnic Nationalities | |
10 | Delta State | Delta State is named after the delta region of the River Niger. | Isoko, lsekiri (Itsekiri), Ukwani (Kwale), Urhobo, Isoko, lgbo, lzondjo (Ijaw) |
11 | Ebonyi State | Ebonyi is the anglicised version of 'Aboine', a river that cuts through Abakaliki, the state capital. | lgbo |
12 | Edo State | The Bini people who dwell in the area had always referred to themselves as Edo or Iduu. This inspired the name of the state. | Esan (Ishan), Etsako, Etuno, Okpamheri, Owan, Uneme (Ineme), Bini, Ebu, Ebirra (lgbirra) |
13 | Ekiti State | ‘Okiti’ is a term that is said to denote a settlement of many hills. It later became 'Ekiti'. | Yoruba |
14 | Enugu State | Due to the many hills and rocky terrain in the area, the people named it in igbo, "Enu Ugwu" meaning "top of the hill". The state is named after the anglicised version, Enugu. | lgbo, Mbembe |
15 | Gombe State | Gombe is the dialect of Fulani language (Fulfulde) spoken in the area. | Fulani, Bolewa, Tera (Terawa), Tangale, Hausa, Kanuri, Waja (Wajawa), Tula |
16 | Imo State | The state is named after the Imo River which bears the name of a prominent Nigerian family with that family name, who were the chiefs of Imo State before the ratification of a more formal government. | lgbo |
17 | Jigawa State | The name Jigawa is a Hausa word meaning dunes of sand which is scattered across the state. | Auyoka (Auyokawa), Warja (Warja), Fulani (Pulbe), Hausa, Angas, Kurama, Kanuri |
18 | Kaduna State | Kadunas' is the plural form of crocodile in Hausa. The state therefore got its name from the many crocodiles in Kaduna River. | Gure, Jaba, Kafanchan, Kagoro, Kaje (Kache), Kajuru (Kajurawa), Kanikon, Attakar (ataka), Katab (Kataf), Kiballo (Kiwollo), Ayu, Manchok, Moruwa (Moro’a, Morwa), Rishuwa, Rumada, Rumaya, Srubu (Surubu), Bina (Binawa), Fulani (Pulbe), Hausa, Kurama, Kanuri, Kamaku (Karnukawa), Uncinda, Bassa, Koro (Kwaro), Gwari (Gbari), Gwandara, Mada, Ninzam (Ninzo), Nunku |
State | How it derived it's name | Ethnic Nationalities | |
19 | Kano State | Kano was the name of a blacksmith from the Gaya tribe who settled in the area while sourcing for ironstone. The state was named after him. | Shira (Shirawa), Teshena (Teshenawa), Fulani (Pulbe), Hausa, Kanuri |
20 | Katsina State | The state was named after the wife of a popular local ruler known as Janzama. Her name was Katsina. | Fulani (Pulbe), Hausa |
21 | Kebbi State | It is said that Kebbi was named after the Ka’abba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. | Achipa (Achipawa), Zarma (Zarmawa), Danda (Dandawa), Duka (Dukawa), Fulani (Pulbe), Hausa, Kamaku (Karnukawa), Uncinda, Kambari, Reshe, Dakarkari |
22 | Kogi State | Kebbi state derived its name from the 14th century "KEBBI KINGDOM" which was a province of the former Songhai Empire | Gbedde, Igalla, ljumu, Bunu, Ebu, Ebirra (lgbirra), Bassa, Yoruba |
23 | Kwara State | River Niger used to be called River Kwara by the Nupes | Ogori, Owe, Oworo, Yagba, Yoruba |
24 | Lagos State | Lagos is Portuguese for lakes. It was named by the Portuguese who were first set of Europeans to arrive that part of the country. | Yoruba, Egun (Gu), Awori |
25 | Nasarawa State | Nasarawa is a native word for 'victorious'. The state was named by the founder of Nasarawa kingdom, Makama Dogo. | Aguta, Alago, Basa, Ebira, Eggon, Gbagyi, Gwandara, Kanuri and Tiv |
26 | Niger State | This was named after the River Niger. | Gade, Gurmana, Laaru (Larawa), Lopa (Lupa, Lopawa), Nupe, Pongo (Pongu), Rubu, Ura (Ula), Yumu, Zabara, Baruba (Barba), Baushi, Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa), Fulani (Pulbe), Hausa, Buduma, Kurama, Kanuri, Kamaku (Karnukawa), Uncinda, Bassa, Koro (Kwaro), Gwari (Gbari), Gwandara, Kambari, Reshe, Dakarkari |
27 | Ogun State | This state was also named after a river — Ogun River. | Yoruba, Egun (Gu), Awori |
State | How it derived it's name | Ethnic Nationalities | |
28 | Ondo State | Ondo is a word used for settlers. The state was named after the settlers of the old Ondo Kingdom. | lzondjo (Ijaw), Ebirra (lgbirra), Yoruba |
29 | Osun State | This state was also named after a river — the River Osun. | Yoruba |
30 | Oyo State | The state was named after the Old Oyo empire. | Yoruba |
31 | Plateau State | The state was named after the Jos plateau. Jos got its name from the mispronunciation of the town 'Gwosh'. | Alago (Arago), Eggon, Fyam (Fyem), Fyer(Fer), Qanawuri, Amo, Geruma (Gerumawa), Goernai, Anaguta, Gusu, Irigwe, Ankwei, Jidda-Abu, Kantana, Kenern (Koenoem), Kulere (Kaler), Kwalla, Kwaro, Kwato, Mabo, Mama, Memyang (Meryan), Miango, Miligili (Migili), Montol, Munga (Mupang), Mushere, Mwahavul (Mwaghavul), Bada, Nokere (Nakere), Pai, Pyapun (Piapung), Rindire (Rendre), Ron, Rukuba, Shangawa (Shangau), Shan-Shan, Sikdi, Sura, Yergan (Yergum), Yuom, Bashiri (Bashirawa), Birom, Bkkos, Buji, Burma (Burmawa), Afizere, Bwall, Challa, Afo, Chip, Chokobo, Doemak (Dumuk), Jukun, Angas, Jere (Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa), Kwanka (Kwankwa), Limono, Tiv, Kurama, Kanuri, Bassa, Gwari (Gbari), Gwandara, Mada, Ninzam (Ninzo), Nunku, Tarok |
32 | Rivers State | Rivers State was named after the many rivers that border its territory | Egbema, Engenni (Ngene), Epie, Etche, Gokana (Kana), Abua (Odual), Degema, Ebana (Ebani), lgbo, Andoni, lzondjo |
33 | Sokoto State | Sokoto is the anglicized version of the Arabic word ‘suk’ meaning ‘market’ or ‘place of commerce’. The state itself was named after the defunct Sokoto Caliphate. | Kyenga (Kengawa), Shanga (Shangawa), Fulani (Pulbe), Hausa, Uncinda |
34 | Taraba State | Taraba state got its name from the Taraba River. | Gengle, Gornun (Gmun), Gonia, Gwom, Jahuna (Jahunawa), Jero, Jonjo (Jenjo), Kaba(Kabawa), Kadara, Karimjo, Kenton, Koma, Kona, Kugama, Kunini, Kuteb, Kutin, Kwanchi, Lama, Lamja, Lau, Mbum, Mumuye, Ndoro, Nyandang, Panyam, Pkanzom, Poll, Potopo, Bakulung, Bali, Sakbe, Sate, Shomo, Bambuko, Tikar, Banda (Bandawa), Vommi, Waka, Wurkun, Yandang, Yott, Betso (Bete), Bobua, Chamba, Chukkol, Dangsa, Diba, Babur, Jukun, Fulani (Pulbe), Hausa, Tiv, Idoma, Kanuri, Tarok |
35 | Yobe State | The state is named after River Yobe or Komadugu Yobe (Waube or Ouobe) | Manga (Mangawa), Ngizim, Bade, Affade, Buru, Chibok (Chibbak), Babur, Fulani (Pulbe), Karekare (Karaikarai), Ngamo, Bole (Bolewa), Kanuri |
36 | Zamfara State | This state was named after Zamfarawa, one of the subdialects of the Eastern Hausa group. | Hausa, Fulani people, Gwari, Kamuku, Kambari, Dukawa, Bussawa, Zabarma |
List of States in Nigeria, how their names were derived and ethnic groups/tribes in each state
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