What are the Geopolitical Zones and their States?
Nigeria is divided into six geopolitical zones, which are designed to group the country’s states by geography, culture, and political considerations. Each zone includes states with similar ethnic groups, languages, and historical backgrounds. These geopolitical zones play a crucial role in political representation and resource distribution.
Here is a breakdown of the six geopolitical zones and the states within each:
1. North Central (Middle Belt)
| States in North Central |
|---|
| 1. Benue |
| 2. Kogi |
| 3. Kwara |
| 4. Nasarawa |
| 5. Niger |
| 6. Plateau |
| 7. Federal Capital Territory (FCT) |
This zone is also referred to as the Middle Belt and is known for its ethnic and religious diversity.
2. North East
| States in North East |
|---|
| 1. Adamawa |
| 2. Bauchi |
| 3. Borno |
| 4. Gombe |
| 5. Taraba |
| 6. Yobe |
This zone is largely characterized by a semi-arid climate and has experienced significant insurgency activities in recent years, particularly in Borno.
3. North West
| States in North West |
|---|
| 1. Jigawa |
| 2. Kaduna |
| 3. Kano |
| 4. Katsina |
| 5. Kebbi |
| 6. Sokoto |
| 7. Zamfara |
The North West is the most populous geopolitical zone and is predominantly Hausa-Fulani. Kano is the most populous state in the zone and Nigeria as a whole.
4. South East
| States in South East |
|---|
| 1. Abia |
| 2. Anambra |
| 3. Ebonyi |
| 4. Enugu |
| 5. Imo |
This zone is predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group, and it is known for its industrious spirit and rich cultural heritage.
5. South South (Niger Delta)
| States in South South |
|---|
| 1. Akwa Ibom |
| 2. Bayelsa |
| 3. Cross River |
| 4. Delta |
| 5. Edo |
| 6. Rivers |
The South South zone is home to Nigeria’s oil-producing region, commonly referred to as the Niger Delta. It is rich in natural resources, particularly crude oil.
6. South West
| States in South West |
|---|
| 1. Ekiti |
| 2. Lagos |
| 3. Ogun |
| 4. Ondo |
| 5. Osun |
| 6. Oyo |
The South West is predominantly inhabited by the Yoruba ethnic group and is home to Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, which is the economic hub of the country.
Summary of Nigeria’s Geopolitical Zones:
| Zone | States |
|---|---|
| North Central | Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, FCT |
| North East | Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe |
| North West | Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara |
| South East | Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo |
| South South | Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers |
| South West | Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo |
These geopolitical zones are vital for balancing political representation and resource distribution across the country, and they also reflect Nigeria’s ethnic and cultural diversity.