Creation of 30 States

On August 27, 1991, General Ibrahim Babangida created nine additional states, bringing Nigeria’s total from 21 to 30. The new states were Abia, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Osun, Taraba, and Yobe. Babangida also created the Federal Capital Territory administration and over 300 new local government areas.

The exercise was part of Babangida’s endless political restructuring during his eight-year rule. Critics argued that state creation had become a patronage tool — each new state meant new government houses, civil services, and allocation from the federation account, enriching political elites while fragmenting governance.