A geopolitical zone is an administrative division of Nigeria that would allow for the rotation of authority among the country’s regions to promote equity and a sense of shared belonging. There are six geopolitical zones within the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which are frequently referred to as zones. They are a form of administrative division that President General Sani Abacha’s administration used to group the nation’s states.
Resources in Nigeria’s economy, politics, and education are frequently divided within the zones.
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The six zones were not wholly divided based on geography; rather, states with comparable ethnic populations and/or shared political histories were grouped. There are about 400 ethnic groups and 450 languages in Nigeria. For efficient resource distribution, the government needed to combine comparable groups.
Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau are states that are included in the North Central region, which also includes the Federal Capital Territory.
Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States make up the North East region of the country.
Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara are states that are included in the region in the North West.
States in the South East include Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States make up the South-South (often referred to as the Niger Delta region).
States in the South West include Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo state.
Taking a Closer Look at These Zones
North Central Geopolitical Zone
The North-Central Geopolitical Zone in Nigeria also referred to as the Middle Belt, is a collection of states that span central Nigeria longitudinally and serve as a bridge between northern and southern Nigeria.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as well as the states of Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa, Kwara, Niger, and Plateau are all located in this region.Â
The absence of a distinct main ethnic or religious group, as observed in other regions, is one of this region’s key characteristics. Thus, the area represents a nexus between the predominantly Christian South and the predominantly Islamic North.
Additionally, three of the major African language families—the Niger-Congo languages—are spoken there. Agriculture, however, dominates the local economy, particularly in states like Benue, which is referred to as the nation’s “food basket,” as well as Kwara, Nassarawa, and Kogi.
In the North Central, agricultural endeavours such as farming and fishing are common, and agricultural products including yam, guinea corn, cassava, rice, soya beans, etc. are also widely available.
The area is also endowed with material resources and Nasarawa, which is well known as the “home of solid minerals,” is a prime example of this wealth with its mineral resources of tin, marble, coal, barytes, aquamarine resources, semi-precious stones etc.
North East Geopolitical Zone
With an estimated population of 23,539,606 people as of 2021 or 13.5% of the nation’s overall population, this region makes up less than one-third of Nigeria’s total land area.
The principal tribes in this area are Hausa and Fulani, and Islam is the dominant religion, in contrast to the North-Central, where there is a clear majority of both groups.Â
Due to the region’s residents’ active involvement in the production of crops and cattle, the region’s ethnic and religious importance also has an impact on its economy.
States like Adamawa, Gombe, Yobe, and Bauchi, which produce large quantities of guinea corn, rice, millet, beans, maize and so on, frequently highlight the region’s agricultural ability.
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Northwest Geopolitical Zones
The Hausa people originally come from this region. Thus, the Hausa and Fulani make up the majority of the population, and Islam is the prevalent religion.
It displays the rich ethnic and religious legacy of its people by presenting a wide array of Islamic beauty and culture. Despite being relatively dry and arid, agriculture is the region’s main economic activity.
The state of Zamfara, one of the most agriculturally active in the area, has as its motto, “farming is our pride.”Cotton and peanuts (groundnuts) are produced in this region for export.
Shea nuts (for shea butter production), ginger, and peppers are additional income crops, along with vegetables cultivated in riverine floodplains, locally produced brown sugar made from sugarcane, onions, and soybeans. Additionally, Kaduna is home to an oil refinery in the area.
South-East Geopolitical Zone
South Eastern Nigeria, formerly one of the 12 states established during the civil war. Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi are the five member states that comprise one of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The region’s economy is highly diverse, with agriculture and crude oil production being its two main industries. The region’s oil-producing states, Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo, also actively engage in agriculture, supplying the country’s food supply with agricultural products including yam, maize, beans, rice, potatoes, etc.
Along with agriculture, the outstanding arts of bronze casting, ironwork, pottery, and others are also economically practised in the Anambra state.
South-South Geopolitical Zone
South-South Nigeria, which consists of 6 member states as Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Cross River, is ideally situated where the Niger River’s “Y” tail joins the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Guinea.
Due to its location as the country’s primary source of crude oil, it is the nation’s economic centre. As a result, the region’s primary economic activity is the production of crude oil. The main producers of crude oil in the nation are the states of Delta and Rivers, with Akwa Ibom reportedly producing more than any other state.
A rich mineral deposit and certain states that are actively engaged in agriculture can be found in the area in addition to crude oil.
South West Geopolitical Zone
South Western Nigeria, which consists of 6 member states (Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Lagos, and Ondo), is where the Yoruba-speaking population of the nation resides.
There are several reasons why this area is unique. First of all, Lagos State, the nation’s commercial hub, is located there. Additionally, it serves as the nation’s academic centre.
The University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s oldest university, and the University of Lagos are located in the state of Ekiti, which is considered to have generated the majority of the nation’s academics.
The main economic activities in the area are agriculture, tourism, and crude oil production. Nigeria’s South Western region is home to Lagos and Ondo, the former of which is a major tourist destination. Ogun, Ekiti, and Oyo all have active agricultural sectors.
Final Notes on Nigeria’s Geopolitical Zones
Nigeria, as a country, is blessed with diversification. This heterogeneity in customs, people and languages increases the dynamism of the country. I do hope this article has been able to shed light on the 6 geopolitical regions/zones in the country.
Before you go, check out The Local Governments in Nigeria.
