State Creation in Nigeria: History & Significance

Subject: History

Topic: State Creation in Nigeria 1976

Class: Primary 4

Term: First Term

Week: Week 4 and 5

Instructional Materials:

• Political map of Nigeria showing 19 states
• Political map of Nigeria showing 36 states
• Photograph of various state governors and the Nigerian Military Head of State who created these states

Reference Materials:

• Scheme of Work
• Online Information
• Textbooks
• Workbooks
• 9 Year Basic Education Curriculum
• Map of Nigeria
• Charts or diagrams showing the division of the country into regions and states
• Whiteboard and markers or an overhead projector

Previous Knowledge:

The pupils have previous knowledge of the 36 states and capitals of Nigeria.

Behavioral Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the pupils should be able to:

• List the various states in Nigeria during these periods, their year of creation, and who created them.
• List the governors of these states.
• Explain why these states were created.

Learning Activities:

• Pupils are guided to list states created in Nigeria and under whose regimes they were created.
• Pupils are guided to list the governors of the states that were created.
• Pupils in groups, discuss why these states were created.
• Pupils in pairs discuss the effects of the state creation.
• Pupils are guided to name the state created from the four regions.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Digital Literacy
• Leadership and Personal Development
• Citizenship
• Critical thinking and problem-solving

Content:

Nigeria is made up of 36 states and one Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Each state has its leader and government, but they work together with the federal government. This structure is governed by Nigeria’s constitution.

Historically, Nigeria was divided into four regions, but in 1967, the government of General Yakubu Gowon reorganized the country into 12 states. Later, the number of states increased, primarily during military regimes. These changes were aimed at improving governance, addressing regional imbalances, and promoting political stability.

State Creation Timeline:

• 1967: 12 states created by General Yakubu Gowon (from the four regions).
• 1976: 7 new states created by General Murtala Mohammed.
• 1987: 2 states created by General Ibrahim Babangida.
• 1991: 9 states created by General Ibrahim Babangida.
• 1996: 6 states created by General Sani Abacha.

List of States Created in Nigeria:

Evaluation:

1. When did state creation in Nigeria begin?
   A. 1967
   B. 1976
   C. 1987
   D. 1991

   Answer: A. 1967

2. What was the reason for state creation in Nigeria?
   A. To increase the number of political units in the country
   B. To improve governance and administration
   C. To address regional imbalances
   D. All of the above

   Answer: D. All of the above

3. What was the total number of states in Nigeria in 1976?
   A. 12
   B. 19
   C. 21
   D. 30

   Answer: B. 19

4. Who created the Federal Capital Territory in 1976?
   A. Gen. Murtala Mohammed
   B. General Ibrahim Babangida
   C. General Yakubu Gowon
   D. Sani Abacha

   Answer: A. Gen. Murtala Mohammed

5. When was the last state created in Nigeria?
   A. 1991
   B. 1993
   C. 1996
   D. 2002

   Answer: C. 1996

6. Who increased the number of states in Nigeria to 30 in 1991?
   A. Gen. Murtala Mohammed
   B. General Ibrahim Babangida
   C. General Yakubu Gowon
   D. Sani Abacha

   Answer: B. General Ibrahim Babangida

7. Who created the six states in 1996?
   A. Gen. Murtala Mohammed
   B. General Ibrahim Babangida
   C. General Yakubu Gowon
   D. Sani Abacha

   Answer: D. Sani Abacha

8. What was the outcome of the former Eastern Region’s attempt to secede from Nigeria?
   A. Successful secession
   B. Integration with the rest of Nigeria
   C. The infamous Biafran Civil War
   D. None of the above

   Answer: C. The infamous Biafran Civil War

9. What was the recommendation from the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) in 1993?
   A. To create more states in Nigeria
   B. To reduce the number of states
   C. To merge some states
   D. None of the above

   Answer: A. To create more states in Nigeria

10. Who created the first 12 states in Nigeria in 1967?
    A. Gen. Murtala Mohammed
    B. General Ibrahim Babangida
    C. General Yakubu Gowon
    D. Sani Abacha

    Answer: C. General Yakubu Gowon

Lesson Presentation:

Introduction (10 minutes):

• Ask students if they know what a federation is.
• Explain that a federation is a political system in which a central government shares powers with smaller political units such as states or provinces.
• Tell the students that Nigeria is a federation and has 36 states and one federal capital territory (FCT).
• Ask students to think of a few examples of federations in the world and list them on the board.

Direct Instruction (25 minutes):

• Using the whiteboard or blackboard, write out the brief history of state creation in Nigeria.
• Explain the changes from regions to 12 states in 1967, the subsequent creation of more states, and the military regimes involved.
• Show the students a list of the 36 states in Nigeria, their year of creation, and under whose regime they were created.

Guided Practice (20 minutes):

• Hand out a student handout with ten multiple-choice questions on the topic.
• Ask students to work in pairs or small groups to complete the questions.
• After students have finished, review the answers together as a class.

Independent Practice (15 minutes):

• Provide students with white paper and ask them to summarize what they have learned.
• Encourage them to include the history of state creation, the number of states, the year of creation, and the military regimes involved.
• Collect the summaries and provide feedback.

Closure (10 minutes):

• Review the key points of the lesson on state creation.
• Ask students what they learned and what more they would like to know.
• End the class by emphasizing the importance of understanding the history of state creation in Nigeria.

Assessment:

• Student handout with multiple-choice questions
• Student summaries
• Class participation and discussion