A state is a political group of people who live in a geographical area and have a well-functioning government.
The Northern, Western, and Eastern regions of Nigeria were created during the period 1960-1963.
Between the years 1963 and 1967, there were four regions: the Northern, Western, Mid-Western, and Eastern.
Between 1967 and 1976, General Yakubu Gowon established the following states: Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, and Benue-Plateau in the Northern Region. Lagos (cut out of the Western Locale), Western State. Mid Western district was renamed Bendel. East Central State, Cross River, and Rivers formed the Eastern Region.
From 1976 to September 23, 1987, General Murtala Mohammed established the following states: Abuja (FCT) and Niger State. The North Eastern State was split into Borno, Gongola, and Bauchi, and the North Western State was split into Sokoto and Niger. Benue and Plateau were separated from Benue-Pleateau. Oyo, Ogun, and Ondo were the three divisions of Western State. Anambra and Imo were divided into East Central State.
General Ibrahim Babangida Made The Accompanying States
23 September, 1987 – 27 August, 1991 => Katisna was cut out of Kaduna. Additionally, Akwa Ibom emerged.
Between August 27, 1991 and October 26, 1996, Abia was established. Adamawa and Taraba were created from Gongola. Enugu was born. Edo and Delta were the divisions of Bendel. Kano and Yobe, both in Borno, were combined to form Jigawa. Osun came from Oyo, and Kebbi came from Sokoto. Additionally, Kogi emerged.
From 1996 to 1998, General Sani Abacha established the following states: Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Gombe, and Ekiti.
This is the Nigerian state-building timeline.
Note:
In 1967, the administration of Gen. Yakubu Gowon established twelve (12) new states; in 1976, the administration of Gen. Murtala Muhammed established seven (7) new states; in 1987 and 1991, the administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida established eleven (11) new states; and in 1996, the administration of Gen. Sani Abacha established six (6) new states.