What are the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria today?
In the 1980s, a prominent politician from Nigeria’s “former” Southern area was the first to propose the notion of dividing the country into six distinct geopolitical zones.
He was concerned about the continuous political dominance of the Hausa-Fulani, who were using the political gimmick of there being “one” North in the North in order to dominate other ethnic groups in the North and to the detriment of other sections of the country. This caused him to be disturbed.
On the other hand, the definitive establishment of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria may be dated back to the military dictatorship of Sani Abacha, one of the past Nigerian presidents, in the year 1995.
In Nigeria, there are a number of different geopolitical zones; let me tell you about them. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the largest country in Africa overall. It is also one of the most populous countries in the world.
It is difficult to ensure that everyone in the country lives in peace. Nevertheless, because Nigeria is divided into geopolitical zones, the possibility still exists. These zones are the most important to Nigeria’s construction efforts.
The administration of President Ibrahim Babangida is responsible for the establishment of this geographical zone structure and the states that fall under it.
The Six Geopolitical Zones In Nigeria
The various 36 states in Nigeria are divided up into several zones. There are around 400 distinct ethnic groups in Nigeria, and together they speak over 450 different languages.
As a result, it is essential to ensure that all individuals inside these zones maintain harmonious relationships with one another. There are six distinct geopolitical zones in Nigeria, each of which includes either the federal capital area or one of the 36 states. The economic, political, and ethnic inclinations of Nigeria are taken into account while dividing the country into zones.
Igbo inhabits the South-East region, whereas Yoruba is responsible for the South-West and Hausa for the North-East and North-West. There are people of many different ethnic groups living in Nigeria’s states, and it is essential that they be managed well.
On the map of Nigeria, you will find all six of the country’s geopolitical zones in clear sight. Let’s have a look at the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria!
The six geopolitical zones are:
- North-Central
- South-South
- North-East
- North-West
- South-West
- South-East
Now let us break each of these zones down.
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1. North Central Zone
The North Central region of Nigeria is the most diverse of all the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria while having a common name that refers to it as the Middle belt.
This region is home to a large number of linguistically distinct ethnic communities as a direct result of its rich cultural diversity.
In contrast to the other regions, North Central is populated by people of a variety of linguistic and cultural origins who are unable to communicate with one another.
The Six States In North Central Region
This geopolitical zone houses six states:
- Benue
- Plateau,
- Niger
- Kogi and
- Kwara state.
- The Federal capital territory (Abuja) is also included in this zone. The North Central Geopolitical zone is also regarded as the middle belt of Nigeria.
The prominent cities in the North Central zone are, Jos, Minna, Lokoja, Lafia, Ilorin, Makurdi, and Abuja. The ethnic groups presented in this zone are Tiv, Berom, Gbagy, Mangu, Nupe, Mada-Eggon, Yoruba, Gwandara, Idoma, and Idoma.
2. South-South Zone
This is the geopolitical zone in Nigeria that produces oil and is frequently referred to in a more general sense as the Niger Delta.
This is the region that accounts for less than seven per cent of Nigeria’s overall land area, but it is the region that is responsible for the production of the oil that is essential to the Nigerian economy.
States in the South-south Region
There are six states that make up the South-South geopolitical zone:
- Cross-River
- Rivers
- Bayelsa
- Akwa-Ibom, and
- Delta.
- Edo state is also included in this zone.
Yenagoa, Uyo, Asaba, Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Benin are some of the most important cities in this zone.
Ikwere, Annang, Efik, Ibibio, Ejagham, Ogoni, Itsekiri, Essan, Bini, Urhobo, and Ijaw are some of the people who live in the South-South region.
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3. North-East Zone
The majority of people who were born and raised in this geopolitical zone engage in agricultural practices and animal husbandry as their primary means of making a living.
According to the National Population Commission (NPC), Boko Haram is responsible for more than five thousand deaths, making the North East of Nigeria the most dangerous zone in the country. Also, it is believed that the North East is the most dangerous region in Nigeria.
States in the North-East Region
The North-East is one of the geopolitical zones in Nigeria that comprises of six states namely:
- Gombe
- Yobe
- Bauchi
- Borno,
- Adamawa.
- Taraba is also included in this zone.
The cities of Damaturu, Gombe, Jalingo, Maiduguri, and Yola are among the most important in the zone.
The Fulani, Tangalawaja, Kanuri, Fulfulde, Babur, and Tiv peoples along with the Mumuye make up the region’s diverse collection of ethnic groups.
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4. North-West Zone
Of all the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, the population of the northwestern region, which covers an area of more than 90 million square kilometres, is the region with the highest density of inhabitants.
According to the numbers obtained from Nigeria’s census in 2006, the National Population Commission has claimed that the North-West geo-political zone is the most populous zone in the entirety of the country of Nigeria.
8 States In the North Western Region
The following are the states that makeup Nigeria’s North-West geopolitical zone.
- Zamfara
- Kano
- Katsina
- Kebbi
- Kaduna
- Jagawa, and
- Sokoto
- Zamfara
The cities Birnin-Kebbi, Gusau, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Dutse, Zaria, and Sokoto are considered to be the most important in the North-West geopolitical zone.
This region is home to more than a quarter of the country’s total population, making it the most populous in Nigeria.
Maguzawa, Kanuri, Zara, Baju, Gbagyi, Zuru, Hausa-Fulani, and Jabba are some of the people who contribute to the racial and cultural variety.
5. South-West Region
The Yoruba-speaking ethnic groups make up the vast majority of the population in Nigeria’s South-West geopolitical zone, with only a small number of members coming from other ethnic groups.
Because it is the commercial nerve center of Nigeria and is home to more than half of the country’s industrial investments, it is commonly referred to as the “centre of excellence.”
The Yoruba language is spoken in this region, which is located in the southwest, although the state’s population includes people from every tribe in the country as well as many foreign nationalities.
Six States in the South Western Region
- Ekiti
- Ondo
- Osun
- Oyo
- Ogun
- Lagos
- Ekiti
The cities of Ado-Ekiti, Osgbo, Ogbmoso, Abeokuta, Akure, Ibadan, and Lagos are among the most important in the zone.
Yorubas make up the majority of the region’s population in the southwest.
6. South-East Zone
The Igbo language is spoken by the vast majority of native people who live in the South-East geopolitical zone of the country. This region is controlled by the Igbo people.
Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Anambra are the five states that make up the South-East geopolitical zone in Nigeria.
Other states in the region include Anambra. Aba, Owerri, Enugu, Onitsha, and Abakaliki are the zone’s five most populous cities, respectively.
The Igbo people make up the majority of the region’s population in the southeast.
By now, it is no gainsaying that the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria are intricately entwined with the country’s many economic endeavors.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the 6 Geopolitical Zones In Nigeria
What were the reasons for dividing Nigeria into geopolitical zones?
In 1993, former Head of State General Sani Abacha of Nigeria divided Nigeria into geopolitical zones in order to accurately mitigate and distribute wealth to every region of the country while demanding oversight from the zones with absolute ease.
This was done in order to manage and allocate resources in a more equitable manner.
Who was it that established the six geopolitical zones that make up Nigeria?
There are six geopolitical zones that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but they are more usually referred to as mere zones.
During the administration of former president General Sani Abacha, they were established as a form of administrative division that groups the country’s states together.
Six Geopolitical Zones In Nigeria (Summary)
Now you know the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
- The geopolitical zones in the north are excellent for a variety of economic activities, including oil extraction, agriculture, and the raising of cattle.
- Activities such as the production of oil and gas, farming, rubber, nut shells, textile production, periwinkle shells, granite, palm wine, herbal medicine, and industrialization are carried out in the geopolitical zones of the South.
- Coal, tin, and semi-precious stones can be found in abundance in the northern zones.
- The South zones have a plethora of resources, including crude oil, silver nitrate, ceramics, iron ore, natural gas, tin, and rock.
- Onions, Tomatoes, potatoes, flax, and groundnuts are all products that can be sourced from the Northern region.
- Rice, cashews, breadfruit, biter-kola, yam, and cassava are all products that can be sourced from the South.
In which of these zones do you reside? Let’s have your comments in the box provided below.
