Geopolitical zones of Nigeria explained

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is divided into six geopolitical zones, commonly just called zones. They are a type of administrative division grouping the country's states, created during the regime of president General Sani Abacha. Nigerian economic, political, and educational resources are often shared across the zones.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

The six zones were not entirely carved out based on geographic location, but rather states with similar ethnic groups, and/or common political history were classified in the same zone. Nigeria is made up of approximately 400 ethnic groups and 525 languages. There was a need for the government to merge similar groups for effective allocation of resources.

Agitations for constitutional recognition

See also: Federalism in Nigeria.

Many groups and individuals in Nigeria including the Afenifere Renewal Movement through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Ohaneze Ndigbo, its late Secretary General, Chief Ralph Uwechue and Ijaw National Congress through its National President, Mr. Joshua Benameisigha have canvassed that the current six zonal divisions be recognized in Nigeria's constitution and be strengthened to function as federating units in the new structure for Nigeria.

According to Chief Nengi James, a Niger Delta activist, "for all sections of the country to become one entity, the geopolitical zones must be recognized in the constitution." These groups are pushing for devolution of powers so that the geopolitical zones become autonomous and manage the resources within their territories in a federal Nigeria.^[7]

List of zones

• North Central (also known as Middle Belt):
  • Consisting of Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
• North East:
  • Consisting of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States.
• North West:
  • Consisting of Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
• South East:
  • Consisting of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.
• South South (also known as Niger Delta region)
  • Consisting of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States.
• South West:
  • Consisting of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States.

Notes and References

1. Book: Federal Republic of, Nigeria. Nigeria at 50: A Compadium. Author. 2010.
2. Web site: Constitution: Six geopolitical zones divide North, South . 2015-07-27 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141227144218/http://www.punchng.com/news/constitution-six-geopolitical-zones-divide-north-south/ . 2014-12-27 .
3. Web site: Is The Niger Delta Region The 'Epicentre Of Electoral Fraud' In Nigeria?-AFRICA CHECK - Sahara Reporters. 17 July 2014.
4. Web site: Ethnic groups and geo-political regions in Nigeria . 2014-08-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140111185851/http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/01/ethnic-groups-geo-political-regions-nigeria/ . 2014-01-11 .
5. Web site: 2015: Nigerian presidential election and the North-South political divide . 2014-08-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140903042914/http://risenetworks.org/2013/04/08/2015-nigerian-presidential-election-and-the-north-south-political-divide/ . 2014-09-03 .
6. Web site: Nigeria MDG Acceleration Framework: A commitment to Improved Maternal Health. August 2013. Federal Republic of Nigeria and UNDP. www.undp.org. 2015-09-20. 2022-03-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20220305112912/https://www1.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/MDG/MDG%20Acceleration%20Framework/MAF%20Reports/RBA/Nigeria%20september%2015pm.pdf. dead.
7. Web site: Constitution: Six geopolitical zones divide North, South . punchng.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141227144218/http://www.punchng.com/news/constitution-six-geopolitical-zones-divide-north-south/ . 2014-12-27 .