| States of Nigeria | |
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| Category | Federated states |
| Location | Federal Republic of Nigeria |
| Number | 36 |
| Populations | 1,704,358 (Bayelsa State) – 9,401,288 (Lagos State) Mean: 5,300,000 |
| Areas | 3,580 km2 (1,381 sq mi) (Lagos State) – 76,360 km2 (29,484 sq mi) (Niger State) Mean: 25,660 km2 (9,907 sq mi) |
| Government | |
| Subdivisions |
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 Nigeria portal |
Nigeria is a federation of 36 states, each of which is a semi-autonomous political unit that shares powers with the federal government as enumerated under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In addition to the states, there is the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in which the capital city of Abuja is located.[1] The FCT is not a state, but a territory of the federal government, governed by an administration headed by a minister. Each state is subdivided into local government areas (LGAs). There are 774 local governments in Nigeria.[2] Under the Nigerian Constitution, the 36 states enjoy substantial autonomy but are not sovereign entities, as ultimate authority lies with the federal government. Amendments to the constitution can be proposed by the National Assembly, but for an amendment to be valid, it must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the 36 state legislatures, as required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.[3]
- ^ "Federal Capital Territory (FCT) | Location & Geography | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "USAID Nigeria mission: Nigeria administrative divisions" Archived 2007-01-13 at the Wayback Machine United States Agency for International Development, October 2004, last accessed 21 April 2010
- ^ "1999 Constitution of Nigeria" (PDF). Retrieved 20 September 2024.