20th century – 20th century
Nigeria
A sequence of Nigerian territorial reorganizations driven by demands from minorities seeking separation from dominant ethnic majorities within the three main regions. The creation of a Mid-West region in 1963 was followed by General Gowon’s division of Nigeria into 12 states in 1967, including three in the Eastern Region, and a further division into 19 states in 1976. The reforms responded to instability but left important ethnic groups dissatisfied.
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The Story
After independence, demands for new states became a major source of political instability in Nigeria. Minority groups sought separation from the ethnic majorities that dominated the three principal regions and their ruling parties. The Tiv, for example, demanded a “Middle Belt” state from non-Muslim areas of the Northern Region, arguing that local grievances could be addressed only through territorial reorganization.
In 1963, the Mid-West area of the Western Region was separated from its former region and constituted as a new region. This was the only such separation achieved before the military restructuring of 1967. The change demonstrated that federal boundaries could be altered politically, although wider demands remained unresolved.
On the eve of the civil war in 1967, General Gowon divided Nigeria into 12 states. Three were created in the Eastern Region, and two were intended to detach minorities from the dominant Ibo population, which formed the principal base of the rebellion. In 1976, the rest of Nigeria was divided into 19 states, but significant ethnic groups continued to express dissatisfaction.
The restructuring addressed the imbalance created by the Northern Region’s large territory and control of half the seats in the federal House of Representatives. Southern fears of permanent northern domination were matched by northern resistance to dividing the region. The unresolved territorial question thus threatened the viability of the federation itself.
20th century – 20th century
Nigeria
A sequence of Nigerian territorial reorganizations driven by demands from minorities seeking separation from dominant ethnic majorities within the three main regions. The creation of a Mid-West region in 1963 was followed by General Gowon’s division of Nigeria into 12 states in 1967, including three in the Eastern Region, and a further division into 19 states in 1976. The reforms responded to instability but left important ethnic groups dissatisfied.
Continue exploring
The Story
After independence, demands for new states became a major source of political instability in Nigeria. Minority groups sought separation from the ethnic majorities that dominated the three principal regions and their ruling parties. The Tiv, for example, demanded a “Middle Belt” state from non-Muslim areas of the Northern Region, arguing that local grievances could be addressed only through territorial reorganization.
In 1963, the Mid-West area of the Western Region was separated from its former region and constituted as a new region. This was the only such separation achieved before the military restructuring of 1967. The change demonstrated that federal boundaries could be altered politically, although wider demands remained unresolved.
On the eve of the civil war in 1967, General Gowon divided Nigeria into 12 states. Three were created in the Eastern Region, and two were intended to detach minorities from the dominant Ibo population, which formed the principal base of the rebellion. In 1976, the rest of Nigeria was divided into 19 states, but significant ethnic groups continued to express dissatisfaction.
The restructuring addressed the imbalance created by the Northern Region’s large territory and control of half the seats in the federal House of Representatives. Southern fears of permanent northern domination were matched by northern resistance to dividing the region. The unresolved territorial question thus threatened the viability of the federation itself.
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