Lesson on State Creation in Nigeria – Meaning, Reasons, Names & Number of States Created in 1967 for Primary 4

Hi, students! Welcome back to Primary 4 History. In our previous lesson, we learned about The Four Early Regions In Nigeria – States In Each Of The Four Early Regions. Today, we’re going to learn about State Creation in Nigeria.

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Define state creation.
• Explain two reasons for state creation in Nigeria.
• Identify the number of states created in 1967.
• List the names of the states created in 1967.

State Creation in Nigeria

State creation is a significant event in the history of Nigeria. It refers to the process of dividing a country into smaller administrative units called states. Each state has its own government and is responsible for managing its own affairs.

What is State Creation?

State creation is the process of establishing new administrative regions within a country. It involves dividing a larger territory into smaller units, each with its own government and boundaries.

Reasons for State Creation

There are several reasons why states are created. Some of these reasons include:

• Population Growth: As a country’s population grows, it becomes increasingly difficult for a single government to effectively manage all the people and resources. Creating new states can help to distribute power and resources more evenly.
• Geographical Size: Large countries often have diverse geographical features and populations. Creating new states can help to ensure that all regions have access to government services and resources.
• Cultural or Ethnic Diversity: Countries with diverse cultural or ethnic groups may create new states to give these groups more autonomy and representation.
• Economic Development: Creating new states can help to stimulate economic growth in specific regions by providing them with more resources and control over their own development.

State Creation in 1967

In 1967, Nigeria was reorganized into 12 states by General Yakubu Gowon. This was a significant event in the country’s history, as it marked a shift from a federal system with four regions to a more decentralized system with multiple states.

The Twelve States Created in 1967

The twelve states created in Nigeria in 1967 are:

1. North-Western State (Later divided into states including Kano and Kaduna)
2. North-Eastern State
3. Kano State
4. North-Central State
5. Benue-Plateau State
6. Kwara State
7. Western State (Later divided into Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, and Bendel states)
8. Lagos State
9. Mid-Western State (Later divided into Edo and Delta states)
10. Rivers State
11. South-Eastern State (Later divided into states including Cross River and Akwa Ibom)
12. East-Central State (Later divided into states including Anambra, Imo, and Enugu)

Evaluation Questions

Now that you’ve learned about state creation in Nigeria, let’s see if you can answer these questions:

1. What is the meaning of state creation?
2. Can you explain two reasons for creating new states in Nigeria?
3. How many states were created in Nigeria in 1967?
4. Name three states that were created in 1967.

Conclusion

Today, we learned about state creation in Nigeria, its significance, and the reasons behind it. We also explored the twelve states created in 1967. Remember, understanding state creation is crucial for understanding Nigeria’s history and governance structure. Don’t forget to check the comments section if you have any questions, and use the navigation to move to the next lesson. See you in the next lesson!