15/10/2025
DEVOLUTION OF POWER TO THE STATES: NIGERIAN METAMORPHOSIS ‼️
by Ayoade Davidson Ojeniyi FCA 13 10 2025.
1. Nigeria started as a country in 1914 with the unification of the Northern Protectorate with the Southern Protectorate to form a country called Nigeria. So, we had the Northern Region and the Southern Region. Benue and Taraba areas were part of the Southern Protectorate!!!!
2. The Protectorares were later further divided into the Northern Region, Lagos FCT, Western Region and the Eastern Region. But Benue and Taraba areas were moved to the Northern Region. But Oyinbos refused to move Kwara and Kogi Areas to the Western Region.
3. Later after Independence, the NPC/NCNC Coalition government, trying to punish Awo, further divided Nigeria into Northern Region, Lagos FCT, Western Region, Middle Western Region and the Eastern Region.
4. On 27 05 1967, as the Civil War was about to start, the then Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon divided Nigeria into 12 States. So, States creation started in Nigeria and every areas started asking for their own State. Gowon created 6 States in the North and 6 States in the South.
5. In 1976, Gen Murtala Ramat Mohammed added 7 States and Nigeria had 19 States Structure.
6. In 1987, Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida added two States Katsina and Akwa Ibom and Nigeria had 21 States Structure.
7. In 1991, again Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida added 9 States and Nigeria had 30 States Structure plus Abuja FCT.
8. Finally, in 1996, Gen Sani Abacha added 6 States and Nigeria had 36 States plus Abuja FCT. Abacha wanted to add 7 States by giving Ijebu Province a State because it was only the Colonial Province yet to become a State but Diya, Abacha's deputy wanted the capital to be in Odogbolu but the rest of the Ijebus and Remo wanted the Capital to be in Ijebu Ode. The dispute made Abacha to step down the Ijebu State during the recording of the State Creation Speech. Like NW, SW should have gotten 7 States today. Also, Diya wanted Ondo Coa
