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Welcome to our blog post on the state and capital of Nigeria (and their slogans). Nigeria is a country located in West Africa and is the most populous nation on the continent. There are a total of 36 States in the Nigerian Federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which is the Capital and political centre of Nigeria.
Each of the 36 states, which by the Constitution are co-equal, has its own unique culture, history, and economic significance. To provide more structure and political decentralization, each state is further divided into local government areas.
In this blog post, we will provide you with a list of the 36 states and capitals in Nigeria, and their slogan. So, keep reading to learn more about the beautiful and diverse states of Nigeria and their capitals.
States, Capital and Slogans: 10 Fun Facts
- Lagos state’s slogan as “Centre of Excellence” is mostly due to its large population which is 3 times more than the largest state in Nigeria – Niger state.
- Niger State houses Nigeria’s three major hydroelectric power stations. Its slogan is “The Power State”
- The Ekiti’s former slogan was “The Fountain of Knowledge”. It was changed in April 2019 to “Land of Honour”.
- Cross River is the only state that has a tourist attraction in nearly most of its LGA – that’s why its slogan is “The People’s Paradise”.
- Ibadan, a city in Oyo state, is larger in size than Ekiti, Abia, Lagos, Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi
- The slogan of Bornu state is, ironically, “The Home of Peace”.
- Nasarawa is blessed with at least known 20 natural resources. Little wonder, its slogan is “Home of Solid Minerals”.
- Oyo state is tagged “Pace Setter State” as it is home to some of Nigeria’s FIRST. For instance, Liberty Stadium is the first stadium in Nigeria and Africa; The first television station in Nigeria Western Nigerian Television (later NTA) is located in Ibadan.
- Over 80 per cent of the people in Zamfara are farmers, hence the slogan “Farming is Our Pride”.
- “The confluence state” is named so because it is situated at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF NIGERIA IN 3-MINS.
Nigerian 36 States and Capital and their Slogan
Here’s a table that highlights it.
S/N | STATES | CAPITAL | SLOGAN |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ABIA | UMUAHIA | God’s own state. |
2 | ADAMAWA | YOLA | Land of Beauty |
3 | AKWA-IBOM | UYO | Land of Promise |
4 | ANAMBRA | AWKA | Light of the Nation |
5 | BAUCHI | BAUCHI | Pearl of Tourism |
6 | BAYELSA | YENOGOA | Glory of all lands |
7 | BENUE | MAKURDI | Food Basket of the Nation |
8 | BORNO | MAIDUGURI | Home of Peace |
9 | CROSSRIVER | CALABAR | The People’s Paradise |
10 | DELTA | ASABA | The Big Heart |
11 | EBONYI | ABAKALIKI | Salt of the Nation |
12 | EDO | BENIN | Heart Beat of Nigeria |
13 | EKITI | ADO-EKITI | Land of Honour and Integrity |
14 | ENUGU | ENUGU | Coal City State |
15 | GOMBE | GOMBE | Jewel in the Savannah |
16 | IMO | OWERRI | Eastern Heartland |
17 | JIGAWA | DUTSE | The New World |
18 | KADUNA | KADUNA | Centre of Learning |
19 | KANO | KANO | Centre of Commerce |
20 | KATSINA | KATSINA | Home of Hospitality |
21 | KEBBI | BIRNIN-KEBBI | Land of Equity |
22 | KOGI | LOKOJA | The Confluence State |
23 | KWARA | ILORIN | State of Harmony |
24 | LAGOS | IKEJA | Centre of Excellence |
25 | NASSARAWA | LAFIA | Home of Solid Minerals |
26 | NIGER | MINNA | The Power State |
27 | OGUN | ABEOKUTA | The Gateway State |
28 | ONDO | AKURE | The Sunshine State |
29 | OSUN | OSHOGBO | The State of the Living Spring |
30 | OYO | IBADAN | Pacesetter State |
31 | PLATEAU | JOS | Home of Peace and Tourism |
32 | RIVERS | PORT HARCOURT | Treasure Base of the Nation |
33 | SOKOTO | SOKOTO | Seat of the Caliphate |
34 | TARABA | JALINGO | Nature’s Gift to the Nation |
35 | YOBE | DAMATURU | Pride of the Sahel |
36 | ZAMFARA | GUSAU | Farming is our Pride |
37 | FCT | ABUJA | Centre of Unity. |
Recommended (NEW!): 36 States and their Governors in Nigeria
Location Of Nigeria
Nigeria is located in West Africa, sharing a border with Benin in the West, Niger in the North, and Chad and Cameroon in the North-East and East respectively. To the south, it borders the Gulf of Guinea, part of the Atlantic Ocean.
Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria
Depending on location, each state falls under any of these six geopolitical zones.
- North Central: Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
- North East: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States.
- North West: Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
- South East: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.
- South-South/Niger Delta: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States.
- South West: Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States.
Ibadan is the country’s largest capital and city by geographical area. It is the most populous city of Oyo State, in Nigeria. It is the third-largest city by population in Nigeria after Lagos and Kano.
Abuja. The city replaced Lagos as the capital on 12 December 1991
Nigeria has a total of 36 states plus the FCT, each with its own capital and unique slogan. Lagos state, for instance, is dubbed “the Centre of Excellence.”
Over to You…
Without an iota of doubt, each slogan represents something unique about the state. Tell us which state you’re from in the comment section.
Abdulbasit Toriola is an emerging voice in Nigerian cultural commentary and social analysis. From his corner in Lagos, he documents Nigerian history, current affairs, and explores the extraordinary journeys of Nigerians beating the odds. His works have been published on Africa Prime News and Opinion Nigeria. Connect with Abdulbasit on Twitter @blackboymusings for daily insights into Nigerian life and culture.
12 Comments
Knowledge is power
From Anambra State, it’s a home for all. And so it’s light shines unto everyone and everything.
The state’s people are very accommodating
I love this
Seat of the caliphate
Nice! That’s the city of Usman Dan Fodio!
I am from ondo state sunshine state
I am from kaduna state centre of leaning
Katsina people show hospitality
Hmmnn…. Nice
I am from Ondo state of sunshine
I’m from akwa-ibom state the land of promise and cross-river state the people’s PARADISE!
Definitely two beautiful states. Would love to visit.