Nigeria, the Giant of Africa, is a land of vast resources and hospitable people. The West African country has a vast network of waterways which include the two biggest rivers (Niger and Benue) and the Niger Delta. From North to South, these rivers journey through Nigeria’s 36 states, meandering through savannas, forests, and swamps. And they finally empty themselves into the Atlantic Ocean.
Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa – at over 220 million as of 2023. It is also a nexus of over 300 distinct ethnic groups with ancient origins and history. Suffice it to say that both the subterranean parts and topsoil of the Nigerian landscape are richly endowed. Join us as we take a brief journey through Nigeria’s 36 states and what makes each of them unique.
The Political Structure and Governance of Nigeria
Nigeria’s 36 states altogether make up a federal entity. The country has a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) located at roughly the center of the country, namely Abuja. It runs a democratically-elected presidential system of government with a supporting cabinet of ministers. Its lawmakers are structured as members of the National Assembly; along with national and state House of Representatives who uphold and restructure the Constitution. Every constitutional amendment must be approved by no less than two-thirds of the lawmakers representing Nigeria’s 36 states.
Each state also runs a semi-autonomous government, thus sharing powers with the Presidency. Additionally, each of Nigeria’s 36 states is organized into Local Government Areas (LGAs). Altogether, there are 774 Local Government Areas in the country (as of 2023).
Below is a quick brief of each of Nigeria’s 36 states, their capitals, slogans, mineral resources, notable monuments, and tourist sites.
ABIA STATE
Capital: Umuahia
Slogan: God’s Own State
Mineral Resources: Gold, Lead/Zinc, Limestone, Oil/Gas & Salt
Notable Tourist Sites: Chief Okoroji’s House; Arochukwu; Obu House (Elu Ohafia); Chief Ochu Kalu’s House (Ndi Okereke Abam); Omo Ukwu of Ndi Nzera Clan (Asaga-Ohafia)
ADAMAWA STATE
Capital: Yola
Slogan: Highest Peak of the Nation
Mineral Resources: Bentonite, Gypsum, Kaolin & Magnesite
Notable Tourist Sites: Sukur Cultural Landscape (Madagali)
AKWA IBOM STATE
Capital: Uyo
Slogan: Land of Promise
Mineral resources: Clay, Lead/Zinc, Lignite, Limestone, Oil/Gas, Salt & Uranium
Notable Tourist sites: Amalgamation House, King Otuo of Unyeada monument, Oron National Museum & Beach, Uyo Museum, Cenotaph of the Women War (1929), The Slave Dungeons, Bridge of no Return, Mary Slessor’s House, Jaja Palace Ruins, Ibeno beach, Iko Island beach
ANAMBRA STATE
Capital: Awka
Slogan: Light of the Nation
Mineral Resources: Clay, Glass-Sand, Gypsum, Iron-ore, Lead/Zinc, Lignite, Limestone, Phosphate & Salt
Notable Tourist Sites: Eze Nri monument, Igbo-Ukwu town, Ogbunike caves, Agulu lake, Owerre Ezukala waterfall, Nzam waterfall, National Museum of Colonial History, Rojenny Tourist Village
BAUCHI STATE
Capital: Bauchi
Slogan: Pearl of Tourism
Mineral Resources: Gold, Cassiterite (tine ore), Columbite, Gypsum, Wolfram, Coal, Limestone, Lignite, Iron-ore & Clay
Notable Tourist Sites: Gidan Madaki (Kafin Madaki), Dutsen Damisa Rock Painting (around Gumje), Dutsen Zane Geji Rock Paintings (Toro), Shadawanka Rock Paintings, Shira Rock Paintings, The Cairn Of Stones (Kwandonkaya road, Toro), First Mining Beacon (Tilden Fulani) Bauchi State
BAYELSA STATE
Capital: Yenagoa
Slogan: The Glory of All Lands
Mineral Resources: Clay, Gypsum, Lead/Zinc, Lignite, Limestone, Manganese, Oil/Gas & Uranium
Notable Tourist Sites: Akassa Wildlife Forest, Okpoama-Brass Beach, Oxbow Lake, Ibeno Beach, Christopher Iwowari Monument (Bassambiri), Oloibiri Oil Museum
BENUE STATE
Capital: Makurdi
Slogan: Food Basket of the Nation
Mineral Resources: Barite, Clay, Coal, Gemstone, Gypsum, Iron-Ore, Lead/Zinc, Limestone, Marble & Salt
Notable Tourist Sites: Ogbiloko Statue, Open Fire Furnace, Andibilla Hills, Uwokwu Hills, Ikyogen Hills, Dajo Pottery (Makurdi), Anwase-Abande Ranges, Enemabia Warm Spring, Montane Games Reserve.
BORNO STATE
Capital: Maiduguri
Slogan: Home of Peace
Mineral Resources: Bentonite, Clay, Diatomite, Gypsum, Hydrocarbon, Kaolin & Limestone
Notable Tourist Sites: Gwoza Hills, Indimi Jumma’a Mosque, Sanda Kyarimi Park, Chingurmi-Dugoma Game Reserve, Lake Tilla, Rabeh’s Fort, Borno State Museum, Chad Basin National Park, Shehu of Borno Palace
EDO STATE
Capital: Benin City
Slogan: The Heartbeat of the Nation
Mineral Resources: Bitumen, Clay Dolomite, Phosphate, Glass-sand, Gold, Gypsum, Iron-ore, Lignite, Limestone, Marble & Oil/Gas
Notable Tourist Sites: Benin National Museum, Chief Ogiamen’s House (Benin City), Chief Aikoriogie’s House (Enogie of Obazagbon), Oba of Benin Palace, Benin City Walls and Moat (Benin City), Somorika Hills, Benin brass works
DELTA STATE
Capital: Asaba
Slogan: The Finger of God
Mineral Resources: Clay, Glass-sand, Gypsum, Iron-ore, Kaolin, Lignite, Marble & Oil/Gas
Notable Tourist Sites: Palace of Chief Nanna Of Koko, Araya Bible Site, Oghara Beach, Eku Beach, Effurun Garden Park, Mungo Park House
EBONYI STATE
Capital: Abakaliki
Slogan: The Salt of the Nation
Mineral Resources: Gold, Lead/Zinc & Salt Ekiti Feldspar, Granite, Kaolin, Syenite & Tatium
Notable Tourist Sites: Abakaliki Green Lake, Uburu Salt Lake, Unwana and Ikwo Beaches, Golden Sand Beaches, Mkpuma Ekwa Oku Rocks, Isinweze Water-falls, MacGregor Hill, Achiogba Water Falls, (Ekoli-Edda), Achiogba Waterfalls
CROSS RIVER STATE
Capital: Calabar
Slogan: The People’s Paradise
Mineral Resources: Barite, Lead/Zinc, Lignite, Limestone, Manganese, Oil/Gas, Salt & Uranium
Notable Tourist Sites: The Old Consulate (Calabar), Chief Egbo Bassey’s House (Calabar), Carved Stone Monoliths (Alok & Emaghabe), Tinapa Resort, Obudu Mountain Resort, Kwa Falls
EKITI STATE
Capital: Ado-Ekiti
Slogan: Land of Honor and Integrity
Mineral Resources:
Notable Tourist Sites: Olosunta & Orole Hills (Ikere), Ikogosi Warm Springs, Adekunle Fajuyi Park, Ero Water Dam, Egbe Dam, Erinta Waterfalls, Esa Cave
ENUGU STATE
Capital: Enugu
Slogan: Coal City State
Mineral Resources: Coal, Lead/Zinc & Limestone
Notable Tourist Sites: Ani Ozalla Lake & Shrine, Awhum Waterfall & Cave, Akwuke-Atakwu Beach, Ngwo Pine Forest, Akirike Hills, Udi Hills
GOMBE STATE
Capital: Gombe
Slogan: Jewel in the Savannah
Mineral Resources: Gemstone & Gypsum
Notable Tourist Sites: Bima Hills, Tangale Peak Hill, Bubayero’s Tomb, Lake Dadin Kowa, Emir of Gombe Palace, Kaltungo Warm Springs
IMO STATE
Capital: Owerri
Slogan: Eastern Heartland
Mineral Resources: Gypsum, Lead/Zinc, Lignite, Limestone, Marcasite, Oil/Gas, Phosphate & Salt
Notable Tourist Sites: Oguta Blue Lake, Ngwu Natural Spring, Nekede Zoo, Imo Palm Plantation
JIGAWA STATE
Capital: Dutse
Slogan: The New World
Mineral Resources: Butyles
Notable Tourist Sites: Rock paintings at Dutsen Habude, Dutsen Zango & Dutsen Murufu (Birnin Kudu); Rock Inscriptions, Gong and Shelter (Dutsen Mesa in Birnin Kudu)
KADUNA STATE
Capital: Kaduna
Slogan: Centre of Learning
Mineral Resources: Amethyst, Aqua Marine, Asbestos, Clay, Flosper, Gemstone, Gold, Graphite, Kaolin, Hyanite, Mica, Rock Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, Sihnite, Superntinite, Tentalime, Topaz & Tourmaline
Notable Tourist Sites: Zaria City Walls, Kufena Hills, Steel foot Bridge (Built by Lord Lugard), Habe Mosque (Maigana), Nok settlement, Mastirga Falls, Kajuru Castle
KANO STATE
Capital: Kano
Slogan: Centre of Commerce
Mineral Resources: Cassiterite, Copper, Gemstone, Glass-sand, Lead/Zinc, Pyrochinre & Tantalite
Notable Tourist Sites: Habe Mosque (Bebeji), Gidan Makama Museum, Kano City Walls and Gate, Emir of Kano Palace, Gidan Dan Musa Museum, Kano Waje Central Mosque, Dala Hill, Murtala Mohammed Library
KATSINA STATE
Capital: Katsina
Slogan: State of Hospitality
Mineral Resources: Kaolin, Marble & Salt
Notable Tourist Sites: Gobarau minaret, Tumuli and Baobab Tree (aka Durbi-Takusheyi), Gidan Korau, Ganuwar Amina, The Seven City Gates of Katsina, Kusugu Well, Tomb of Saint Dan-Marna
KEBBI STATE
Capital: Birnin Kebbi
Slogan: Land of Equity
Mineral Resources: Gold
Notable Tourist Sites: Argungu Fishing sites/festival, Karishi Traditional Settlement, Kanta Museum. Girmache Shrine (Zulu), Kainji Lake National Park, Yelwa Warm Springs, Kamuku National Park, Jega’a Rick paintings
KOGI STATE
Capital: Lokoja
Slogan: The Confluence State
Mineral Resources: Coal, Dolomite, Feldspar, Gypsium, Iron-ore, Kaolin, Marble, Talc & Tantalite
Notable Tourist Sites: Niger-Benue confluence, Ojogwu Atogwu Tumulus (near the Palace of the Attah of Idah), Ofejijij Falls, Iron of Liberty, National Museum of Colonial History, Mount Patti, Awo Tunnel, Koton-Karfe Cave, Lord Lugard’s Residence
KWARA STATE
Capital: Ilorin
Slogan: The State of Harmony
Mineral Resources: Cassiterite, Columbite, Feldspar, Gold, Iron-ore, Marble, Mica & Tantalite
Notable Tourist Sites: Relics of the Steamer “Dayspring” (Jebba Station), Old West African Frontier Force Forts (Okuta & Yashikera), Stone Figures (Ofaro & Ijara), Owu Falls
LAGOS STATE
Capital: Ikeja
Slogan: Centre of Excellence
Mineral Resources: Bitumen, Clay & Glass-sand
Notable Tourist Sites: Ilojo Bar (Lagos Island), Iga Idunganran (Lagos Island), Water House (Lagos Island), Freedom Park (Lagos Island), Nike Art Gallery (Lekki), National Museum Lagos, Tarkwa Bay Beach, Lufasi Nature Park, National Theatre (Iganmu), Lekki Conservation Center, Elegushi Royal Beach
NASARAWA STATE
Capital: Lafia
Slogan: The Home of Solid Minerals
Mineral Resources: Amethyst, Barytex, Barite, Cassirite, Chalcopyrite, Clay, Columbite, Coking Coal, Dolomite/Marble, Feldspar, Galena, Iron-ore, Limestone, Mica, Salt, Sapphire, Talc, Tantalite, Tourmaline Quartz & Zireon
Notable Tourist Sites: Farin Ruwa Falls, Eggon Hills and Caves, Keana Salt Processing centre (Akwanga), Hunku Lake (Akwanga), Akuriwari warm spring and crocodile Lake (Akwanga)
NIGER STATE
Capital: Minna
Slogan: The Power State
Mineral Resources: Gold, Lead/Zinc & Talc
Notable Tourist Sites: Tsoede’s Tomb (Gwagwade), Mai Jimina’s House (Wushishi), Ruins and Site of colonial Government House at (Zungeru), The Katamba of the Palace of Etsu Nupe (Bida), Gurara Falls
OGUN STATE
Capital: Abeokuta
Slogan: The Gateway State
Mineral Resources: Bitumen, Clay, Feldspar, Gemstone, Kaolin, Limestone & Phosphate
Notable Tourist Sites: Olumo Rock, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library & Wildlife Park, Sungbo’s ShrIne (Oke-Eri near Ijebu-Ode), Oyan River Dam, Ogunde Museum, Kuti Heritage Museum, Lisabi Forest, Oronna Statue
ONDO STATE
Capital: Akure
Slogan: The Sunshine State
Mineral Resources: Bitumen, Clay, Coal, Dimension Stones, Feldspar, Gemstone, Glass-Sand, Granite, Gypsum, Kaolin, Limestone & Oil/Gas
Notable Tourist Sites: Igbara Oke Petroglyphs, Iwo Eleru Cave, (Near Owo), The Old Palace of The Deji Of Akure
OSUN STATE
Capital: Oshogbo
Slogan: Land of Virtue
Mineral Resources: Columbite, Gold, Granite, Talc, Tantalite & Tourmaline
Notable Tourist Sites: Sacred Grove Of Osun (Osogbo), Shrines of Osun in the King’s Market & Palace (Oshogbo), Erin-Ijesa waterfalls, Ita Yemoo (Ile-Ife), Carved Stone Figure (Igbajo)
OYO STATE
Capital: Ibadan
Slogan: The Pace Setter State
Mineral Resources: Aquamarine, Cassiterite, Clay, Dolomite, Gemstone, Gold, Kaolin, Marble, Sillimanite, Talc & Tantalite
Notable Tourist Sites: Mapo Hills, Odu’a Museum, Bowers Tower, University of Ibadan Zoological Garden, Iyake Suspended Lake, Eleyele Lake, Old Oyo National Park
PLATEAU STATE
Capital: Jos
Slogan: Home of Peace and Tourism
Mineral Resources: Barite, Bauxite, Bentonite, Bismuth, Cassiterite, Clay, Coal, Emerald, Fluoride, Gemstone, Granite, Iron-ore, Kaolin, Lead/Zinc, Marble, Molybdenite, Pyrochlore, Salt, Tantalite/Columbite, Tin & Wolfram
Notable Tourist Sites: Stone Causeways at Batura, Tading & Forof (Bokkos), Riyom Hills
RIVERS STATE
Capital: Port Harcourt
Slogan: Treasure Base of the Nation
Mineral Resources: Clay, Glass-Sand, Lignite, Marble & Oil/Gas
Notable Tourist Sites: King Jaja’s Statue (Opobo), Finima Nature Park, Port Harcourt Zoo, Port Harcourt Nature Park, Cultural Center (Port Harcourt)
SOKOTO STATE
Capital: Sokoto
Slogan: Seat of the Caliphate
Mineral Resources: Clay, Flakes, Gold, Granite, Gypsum, Kaolin, Laterite, Limestone, Phosphate, Potash, Silica Sand & Salt
Notable Tourist Sites: Surame Cultural Landscape, Goronyo Dam, Sultan Palace Hall, Waziri Junaidu History and Culture Museum, Tomb of Usman Dan Fodio, Sokoto Museum
TARABA STATE
Capital: Jalingo
Slogan: Nature’s Gift to the Nation
Mineral Resources: Lead/Zinc
Notable Tourist Sites: Shebshi Mountains, Mambilla Plateau, Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Barup Waterfalls, Donga River Basin Forest, Ngel-Nyaki Forest Reserve
YOBE STATE
Capital: Damaturu
Slogan: Pride of the Sahel
Mineral Resources: Soda Ash & Tintomite
Notable Tourist Sites: Dofarga Spring Water, Dogana Birds Sanctuary, Birnin Ngazargamu, Tulo-Tulowa Desert, Old Diniski Settlement, Graveyard of Emir of Fika, Fika Emirate Museum, Twin mouth well, Kadi (Goya) Valley, Gudi Settlement
ZAMFARA STATE
Capital: Gusau
Slogan: Farming is our Pride
Mineral Resources: Iron ore, Gold, Chromate, Granite, Clay, Limestone, Chamovite, Quartz, Copper, Manganese, Silica, Kaolin.
Notable Tourist Sites: Kwartakwashi Rock/Natural spring, Kanoma Hills, Dashi Natural Tunnels, Kiyawa rock paintings, Gidan Makama Museum, Kuyambana Game Reserve
