The Federal Republic of Nigeria is divided into six regions, commonly referred to as geopolitical zones. These administrative regions were created during General Sani Abacha's regime. The six geopolitical zones and their states form the basis for the distribution of economic, educational, and political resources among Nigerians. Sati Umaru Fwatshak, a Professor of History at the University of Jos, provides insights into how Nigeria's geopolitical zones impact the distribution of power and governance structures at federal and regional levels.
Nigeria's states are spread across six geopolitical zones, each possessing unique characteristics and governance structures. These zones play a crucial role in the economic and political landscape of the nation, ensuring that resources are distributed fairly among the diverse population. Understanding these zones is essential for grasping the complexities of Nigeria’s governance and socio-economic dynamics.
As we delve deeper into these geopolitical zones, we will explore their individual characteristics, including the number of states they encompass, their population distributions, and their economic significance. This exploration will shed light on how these regions contribute to the overall governance and political representation in Nigeria.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How many geopolitical zones are in Nigeria?
- Nigeria's geopolitical zones and its influence on political representation
- How many states are in Nigeria?
- How many geopolitical zones are there in Nigeria?
- Which geopolitical zone has the highest number of states?
- Which geopolitical zone has the least number of states?
- Which geopolitical zone is the largest?
- What is the smallest geopolitical zone?
- Which zone has the highest population?
How many geopolitical zones are in Nigeria?
There are six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. These zones were created for administrative purposes and to foster equitable development nationwide. Each geopolitical zone has several states with unique characteristics and cultural diversity. Here is a look at the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria and their states.
1. North-East
The North-East region is among the largest geopolitical zones in Nigeria in terms of physical size and population. The region covers nearly a third of the entire Nigerian landmass. This zone has two major ecological regions, the tropical savanna in the west and the semi-desert ecological region in the east.
Population-wise, the North-East region has about 26 million people, which is about 12% of the Nigerian population. The region's most populous cities are Bauchi and Maiduguri.
Here is a look at the North East states in Nigeria.
- Adamawa
- Bauchi
- Borno
- Gombe
- Taraba
- Yobe
2. North-West
The North-West region, as its name suggests, is located in northwest Nigeria. It is among Nigeria's largest geographical zones and is primarily comprised of the savanna ecological region. Much of the region is the indigenous homeland of the Hausa people, who make up the largest ethnic group in northwest Nigeria.
Economy-wise, the North-West zone is home to Kano City, which is a major contributor to Nigeria's economy. Most of the region's rural areas lag in terms of resource allocation, literacy levels, and security. States in North West Nigeria include:
- Zamfara
- Sokoto
- Kebbi
- Katsina
- Kano
- Kaduna
- Jigawa
3. North-Central (Middle Belt)
The Middle Belt Zone is home to Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory. This zone stretches across the country's width, from its border with Benin to where it borders Cameroon. The region's primary ecological zone is the Guinean forest-savanna mosaic, with a small western portion falling in the savanna ecoregion.
This zone is home to about 20 million people, comprising around 11% of the country's population. Abuja, the country's capital, is the largest city in this zone. The populous cities of Jos and Ilorin are also part of the Middle Belt. Here are the North Central states in Nigeria.
- Plateau
- Niger
- Nasarawa
- Kwara
- Kogi
- Federal Capital Territory
- Benue
4. South-East
The South-East region is bounded by the Cross River to the east, the flat North Central to the north, the riverine Niger Delta to the south, and the river Niger to the west. The main ecological regions include the forest-savanna mosaic in the north and the tropical forest to the south.
Culturally, the South-East region falls within the indigenous homeland of the Igbo people, often known as Igboland. The Igbo people comprise the largest ethnic group in southeast Nigeria, accounting for close to 90% of the region's population.
While this region is the smallest in terms of landmass, it is among the largest contributors to the country's economy. The region has vast natural gas and oil reserves and a remarkably industrialised economy.
- Imo
- Enugu
- Ebonyi
- Anambra
- Abia
5. South-South (Niger Delta)
The Niger Delta region stretches across the Atlantic seaboard from the Bight of Bonny coast in the east to the Bight of Benin coast in the west. Geographically, this region occupies a mere 5% of the country's landmass.
The Niger Delta is home to some of Nigeria's largest oil and natural gas deposits
