States of Nigeria

== Evolution of Nigerian administrative divisions ==
{| class="wikitable"
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! Date !! Events !! Map
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| '''1960–1963'''|| At the time of independence in 1960, Nigeria was a [[federal state]] of three regions: [[Northern Region, Nigeria|Northern]], [[Western Region, Nigeria|Western]], and [[Eastern Region, Nigeria|Eastern]]. Additionally, [[Provinces of Nigeria|provinces]], which were a legacy of [[Colonial Nigeria|colonial and protectorate times]], remained extant until they were abolished in 1976.|| [[File:Nigeria 1960-1963.png|300px|right]]
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| '''1963–1967'''|| In 1963, a new region, the [[Mid-Western Region (Nigeria)|Mid-Western Region]], was created from the Western Region. 
|| [[File:Nigeria 1963-1967.png|300px|right]]
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| '''1967–1976'''|| In 1967, the regions were replaced by 12 states by military decree. From 1967 to 1970 the Eastern Region attempted to secede, as a nation called [[Biafra]] during the [[Nigerian Civil War|Nigerian civil war]]. || [[File:Nigeria states-1967-1976.png|300px|right]]
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| '''1976–1987'''|| In 1976, seven new states were created, making 19 altogether.<ref name="Kraxberger">Kraxberger, Brennan (2005) "Strangers, Indigenes and Settlers: Contested Geographies of Citizenship in Nigeria" ''Space and Polity'' 9(1): pp. 9–27, pages 10, 11, & 15</ref>|| [[File:Nigeria states-1976-1987.png|300px|right]]
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| '''1987–1991'''|| During this period, there were 21 states and the [[Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)|Federal Capital Territory]]. || [[File:Nigeria states 1987-1991.png|300px|right]]
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| '''1991–1996'''|| During this period, there were 30 states and the [[Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)|Federal Capital Territory]]. The Federal Capital Territory was established in 1991. In 1987 two new states were established, followed by another nine in 1991, bringing the total to 30. The latest change, in 1996, resulted in the present number of 36 states. || [[File:Nigeria 1991-1996.png|300px|right]]
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