States | Zikoko!

The 36 states and their slogans show how each part of Nigeria tells its own story. A state slogan is more than a catchy phrase. It is a short line that reflects identity, culture, and pride. It can highlight history, celebrate natural resources, or promote tourism by showing what makes a state stand out.

In this guide, you will find the complete list of all 36 Nigerian states and their slogans. Whether you are looking for quick information, cultural insight, or a refresher, this list is a clear and useful starting point.

What are State Slogans?

State slogans are short phrases that capture the identity of a place. They are designed to highlight what a state is proud of. A slogan works almost like a brand tagline, giving a quick snapshot of what the state stands for.

It is important to note the difference between an official slogan and a popular nickname. An official slogan is usually created and approved by the government. A popular nickname, on the other hand, grows naturally among the people. It may not be formally recognized, but it sticks because it reflects how citizens or outsiders view the state.

ALSO READ: The Nigerian Navy: A Breakdown of Their Ranks and Salary

Complete List of the 36 States, Their Capitals, Slogans and Year of Creation

STATE	CAPITAL	SLOGAN	YEAR OF CREATION
Abia	Umuahia	God’s Own State	1991
Adamawa	Yola	Land of Beauty	1991
Akwa Ibom	Uyo	Land of Promise	1987
Anambra	Awka	Light of the Nation	1991
Bauchi	Bauchi	Pearl of Tourism	1976
Bayelsa	Yenagoa	Glory of All Lands	1996
Benue	Makurdi	Food Basket of the Nation	1996
Borno	Maiduguri	Home of Peace	1976
Cross River	Calabar	The People’s Paradise	1967
Delta	Asaba	The Big Heart	1991
Ebonyi	Abakaliki	Salt of the Nation	1996
Edo	Benin City	Heartbeat of the Nation	1991
Ekiti	Ado-Ekiti	Fountain of Knowledge	1996
Enugu	Enugu	Coal City State	1991
Gombe	Gombe	Jewel in the Savannah	1996
Imo	Owerri	Eastern Heartland	1976
Jigawa	Dutse	The New World	1991
Kaduna	Kaduna	Centre of Learning	1967
Kano	Kano	Centre of Commerce	1967
Katsina	Katsina	Home of Hospitality	1987
Kebbi	Birnin Kebbi	Land of Equity	1991
Kogi	Lokoja	Confluence State	1991
Kwara	Ilorin	State of Harmony	1967
Lagos	Ikeja	Centre of Excellence	1967
Nasarawa	Lafia	Home of Solid Minerals	1996
Niger	Minna	The Power State	1976
Ogun	Abeokuta	Gateway State	1976
Ondo	Akure	Sunshine State	1976
Osun	Osogbo	Land of Virtue	1991
Oyo	Ibadan	Pace Setter State	1991
Plateau	Jos	Home of Peace and Tourism	1976
Rivers	Port Harcourt	Treasure Base of the Nation	1967
Sokoto	Sokoto	Seat of the Caliphate	1976
Taraba	Jalingo	Nature’s Gift to the Nation	1991
Yobe	Damaturu	Pride of the Sahel	1991
Zamfara	Gusau	Farming is Our Pride	1996
FCT (Abuja)	Abuja	Centre of Unity

How State Slogans Are Used

State slogans in Nigeria go beyond being catchy lines. They play an active role in different areas of public life and national identity.

1. Government Branding

Many state governments use slogans on official documents, websites, and campaigns. They appear on signboards, letterheads, and public projects to reinforce a sense of identity and continuity

2. Tourism Promotions

Slogans are central to attracting visitors. A state like Cross River promotes “The People’s Paradise” in tourism ads, while Plateau relies on “Home of Peace and Tourism.” These phrases serve as quick, memorable tags that sell the state’s unique attractions to Nigerians and foreigners alike.

3. Education and National Competitions

In schools, pupils learn the 36 states and their slogans as part of civic education. Slogans also appear in inter-school debates, quiz competitions, and even during events like NYSC orientation, where knowledge of Nigeria’s diversity is celebrated. This helps young people connect with national identity early on.

Through these uses, state slogans continue to shape how Nigerians view their states and how the states present themselves to the wider world.

ALSO READ: The Nigerian Air Force Ranks and Salary Structure

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4 Questions Nigerians ask about the 36 States and their Slogans

1. What’s the oldest state slogan?

The oldest widely recognized Nigerian state slogan is “Centre of Excellence,” adopted by Lagos State not long after its creation in 1967. Over time, other states followed with their own slogans, but Lagos remains the pioneer with one of the most enduring and popular slogans.

2. Why does Nigeria have 36 states?

Nigeria has 36 states because the country went through a series of state creations between 1967 and 1996. The military governments of the time divided the regions into smaller units to promote balance, reduce ethnic tensions, and bring governance closer to the people. What started as 3 main regions in 1960 grew into 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, making administration and representation more inclusive.

3. What is meant by slogan?

A slogan is a short, memorable phrase used to represent an idea, product, or identity. For Nigerian states, slogans act as identity markers that highlight a state’s culture, pride, natural resources, or values. For example, Benue is called “Food Basket of the Nation” to reflect its rich farmlands and agricultural output.

4. Who created 36 states in Nigeria and what year?

The creation of 36 states in Nigeria was carried out by different military leaders over time. General Yakubu Gowon started the process in 1967, when he replaced the 4 regions with 12 states. Later, General Murtala Mohammed, General Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Babangida, and General Sani Abacha added more. The final structure of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) was completed in 1996 under General Abacha.

Conclusion

State slogans may be short, but they carry a lot of meaning. They highlight identity, celebrate culture, and showcase what each state wants the world to remember it for. From tourism and government branding to school lessons and everyday conversations, these slogans remain part of Nigeria’s story.

Whether you are a student preparing for exams, a traveler exploring Nigeria, or someone who enjoys quizzes and trivia, having all 36 states and their slogans in one place makes it easier to learn and remember. They also serve as a reminder of the diversity and pride that hold the country together.

If you found this guide helpful, be sure to bookmark this page for quick reference anytime.

ALSO READ: National Anthem of Nigeria: Full Lyrics and Everything You Need to Know

President Bubu has 64 days left in office, and it seems he’s looking to go out with a bang, as on March 17, 2023, he signed 16 constitutional amendment bills.

But what might interest you the most is that a particular bill might permanently erase the phrase “Up nepa” from the Nigerian vocabulary.

This is the Fifth Alteration Bill No. 33, Devolution of Powers (National Grid System), which grants Nigerian states the power to generate, transmit and distribute electricity to areas covered by the national grid.

It’s no secret that Nigeria’s power sector is dilapidating, seeing as no one bats an eye anymore when the national grid collapses every Eke market day. And despite the fact we have the potential to generate 12,522 megawatts of electricity, our poor infrastructure has limited us to only around 4000.

According to the World Bank, around 43% of the Nigerian population doesn’t have access to electricity from the national grid, and about 22 million small-unit generators are in use by Nigerians. This explains why we’re ranked 171 out of 190 in electricity access.

But with the Devolution of Power Bill, we might be looking at a new dawn very soon.

How exactly will this bill help with power supply?

As we’ve already said, state governments now have autonomy over power generation and distribution which means they can take advantage of the state’s resources to provide a more diverse and sustainable means of power generation.

Nigeria is blessed with renewable energy that is unfortunately underutilised. In the North, solar and wind energy is abundant.

And the oil and gas in the South-South and South-East can drive electricity generation from thermal energy.

Lagos state already has plans to utilise its solar and gas energy to provide at least 18 hours of electricity by the end of this year.

Good morning Lagos.

A few days ago, President @MBuhari signed bills granting states more autonomy in key areas like electricity, railways, and the judiciary, empowering Lagos to take charge of our own growth.

Thank you, Mr. President.

The Constitutional Alteration Bill No. 33…
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) March 21, 2023

This bill is the first step in our journey to a stable power supply that hopefully doesn’t end in disappointment from the state governments.

These are the maps of 15 Nigerian states. Can you match each one to their name?

Take this quiz to find out:

There are 13 Nigerian states that start with vowels – A.E,I,O,U – and your job is to name them all. Just type in the state and you’re good to go.

Oh, you have just one minute to do this. Goodluck!

Name all the Nigerian States starting with a vowel:

First, we gave you the Nigerian states capital quiz and you ate it up. Now, it’s just the States alone. How do you think you’ll perform? In just 1 minute, unscramble at least 13/15 states before you run out of time.

Give it a try below:

Nigeria has many beautiful landmarks that are underappreciated. Even if you recognize them, do you remember what state they are in?

If you get more than 5/13 in this quiz, you deserve accolades.

Give it a try:

All 36 states in Nigeria have a slogan they are known for (some more popular than others). A few have changed over time, but they exist to represent the spirit of the state. So, we made this quiz to see if you can match slogans to their states.

Go ahead:

Most of us can probably sketch a pretty accurate outline of the Nigerian map, but how many of us can honestly claim to know where all the states are located? Well, this quiz is here to test just how well you know your own country.

Try and get at least 18 states:

Nigerian Twitter is so live!

There’s always a trending topic – whose relevance is debatable – that will cause an uproar and generally upend the normal affairs.

Today, it’s #IfStatesWereWomen, where they give the 36 states – or less, we forget some states – of Nigeria womanly attributes. These are the best tweets of the trend for some states:

Abia

#IfStateswerewomen Abia would be that woman who leaves her door open to various men to come do as they wish.

— Davidson (@TheSomadina) July 10, 2015

Adamawa

#IfStatesWereWomen Adamawa state will be that babe that gets heartbroken by all her boyfriends

— Gimba Abubakar (@AS_Gimba) July 10, 2015

Akwa-Ibom

https://twitter.com/Rhodymite_/status/619484293367209984

Anambra

#IfStatesWereWomen Anambra will be that babe that's into all kinds of business. She dey import export. Many shops and stuff. No husband sha

— Friendly Neighborhood Doctor (@Okizle) July 10, 2015

Bauchi

#IfStatesWereWomen Bauchi will be Sleeping Beauty waiting for prince charming to come to her rescue…

— Abdul S. Abdul (@Abdul003) July 10, 2015

Bayelsa

#ifstateswerewomen Bayelsa once got married to a goat that does not eat peoples yam but encourage others to do so!

— Awwal Salisu (@MrAwwal_) July 10, 2015

Benue

#IfStatesWereWomen Benue will be that wife material that just has bad luck with all the men she dates.

— Davina Owombre (@dee_owombre) July 10, 2015

Borno

#IfStatesWereWomen Borno will be that lady that only the bravest men approach & women befriend.

— Mark Amaza (@amasonic) July 10, 2015

Cross River

https://twitter.com/datGuyKOFO/status/619449357121757184

Delta

#IfStatesWereWomen Delta will poison her husband just to answer 'Landlady' http://t.co/50Q8uoJhm1

— collette (@diethealth29) July 10, 2015

Ebonyi

#IfStatesWereWomen Ebonyi state will be the shy sidechic we only hear about when she doesn't get child support

— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) July 10, 2015

Edo

#IfStatesWereWomen Edo State will be Rihanna, unhappy inside, but always on fleek

— Akenzua (@IAmSizzla) July 10, 2015

Ekiti

#IfStatesWereWomen Ekiti will be that feminist whose ego won't get her a husband.

— Dams. (@damisiabijo) July 10, 2015

Enugu

Lmaoo "@Lyricalwizzy: #IfStatesWereWomen Enugu will be dat woman who is always sexually defrauded."

— Qizai 🐼 🇬🇭 (@i_tweet_cray) July 10, 2015

Abuja

https://twitter.com/datGuyKOFO/status/619449091433611265

Gombe

#IfStatesWereWomen Gombe state will be that lucky babe that gets the rich right guys

— Gimba Abubakar (@AS_Gimba) July 10, 2015

Imo

https://twitter.com/DeraaRed__L/status/619450076247781376

Jigawa

#IfStatesWereWomen Jigawa is that woman whose immediate ex is about to embark on a long vacation to kirikiri prison.

— A b d u l (@Zuby215) July 10, 2015

Kaduna

#ifstateswerewomen Kaduna wil be that lucky babe that just had a rethink about her life and fall in love with the right guy!

— Awwal Salisu (@MrAwwal_) July 10, 2015

Kano

#IfStatesWereWomen Kano would've been that woman with multitudinous children capable of confusing a gentleman like Orubebe.

— BELLO MOHAMMED BELLO (@GeneralBMB) July 10, 2015

Katsina

https://twitter.com/Kb_shema/status/619488829347643393

Kebbi

https://twitter.com/safdchick/status/619486431392739328

Kogi

https://twitter.com/smugdisguise/status/619442858588774400

Kwara

#IfStatesWereWomen kwara will be that babe who is passed among brothers of the same family and she doesn't even know 🙁 🙁

— Friendly Neighborhood Doctor (@Okizle) July 10, 2015

Lagos

#IfStatesWereWomen. Lagos would still be that runs girls everybody wants to have a taste of…

— . (@UcheKl) July 10, 2015

Nasarawa

https://twitter.com/UnilagAmeboR/status/619459495358504960

Niger

#IfStatesWereWomen Niger would be that babe with famous uncles who's forever lamenting that her uncles have never done anything for her.

— Davina Owombre (@dee_owombre) July 10, 2015

Ogun

https://twitter.com/zebbook/status/619444207015591936

Ondo

#IfStatesWereWomen Ondo, Sunshine. Dont break an ilaje woman's heart. Afta cussin u out, shes havin u in a calabash, donatin it to d sun god

— GCFR (@Pr8nz) July 10, 2015

Osun

https://twitter.com/Rhodymite_/status/619483768374579200

Oyo

😂😂😢"@Yo_itzPboy: #IfStatesWereWomen OYO would be that babe who will swallow magnets just to become attractive 😂😂😂"

— sonia (@sonia__xoxo) July 10, 2015

Plateau

#IfStatesWereWomen Plateau will be the woman with the beautiful face,curves and heart but doesnt get the attention she deserves

— Rachel Garba (@TeedeeOh) July 10, 2015

Rivers

#IfStatesWereWomen , Rivers will be that woman whose husbands have always been touts and street urchins pic.twitter.com/IBAMQb10EQ

— Edmonton Harvey Specter (@oddy4real) July 10, 2015

Sokoto

#IfStatesWereWomen Sokoto will be too hot to handle. Literally.

— Mark Amaza (@amasonic) July 10, 2015

Taraba

#IfStatesWereWomen Taraba is that babe who likes women,but too scared of what the society would think about her sexuality!

— Iyiolainukan (@Iyiolainukan) July 10, 2015

Yobe

https://twitter.com/UnilagAmeboR/status/619470369024557056

Zamfara

#IfStatesWereWomen Zamfara would be that woman we never hear about until she's getting a new husband.

— Akinola Oyewobi (@theakinmore) July 10, 2015

Of course, not everyone likes this twitter thread, some people find the trend sexist:

I find this if States were women thing kind of sexist. But that's just me o, don't let it disturb you.

— Elizabeth Gaskell stan account (@Ms_Ojo) July 10, 2015

Because some of the tweets were a little pointed:

#IfStatesWereWomen , Imo will be that woman whose husbands have always bn loud-mouthed-good-for-nothing conmen pic.twitter.com/0QNBAnoczN

— Edmonton Harvey Specter (@oddy4real) July 10, 2015

Don’t ask me where they go these comparisons from, I couldn’t possibly know. But one thing is sure, you have NEVER seen your states – or women – so graphically described.

Photo Credit : Instagram – Asoebi Bella

Table of contents

What are State Slogans?

Complete List of the 36 States, Their Capitals, Slogans and Year of Creation

Get More Zikoko Goodness in Your Mail

How State Slogans Are Used

1. Government Branding

2. Tourism Promotions

3. Education and National Competitions

4 Questions Nigerians ask about the 36 States and their Slogans

1. What’s the oldest state slogan?

2. Why does Nigeria have 36 states?

3. What is meant by slogan?

4. Who created 36 states in Nigeria and what year?

Conclusion

How exactly will this bill help with power supply?

Questions

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Name all the Nigerian States starting with a vowel:

You got #{score}/#{total}

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Nigerian Twitter is so live!

There’s always a trending topic – whose relevance is debatable – that will cause an uproar and generally upend the normal affairs.

Today, it’s #IfStatesWereWomen, where they give the 36 states – or less, we forget some states – of Nigeria womanly attributes. These are the best tweets of the trend for some states:

Abia

Adamawa

Akwa-Ibom

Anambra

Bauchi

Bayelsa

Benue

Borno

Cross River

Delta

Ebonyi

Edo

Ekiti

Enugu

Abuja

Gombe

Imo

Jigawa

Kaduna

Kano

Katsina

Kebbi

Kogi

Kwara

Lagos

Nasarawa

Niger

Ogun

Ondo

Osun

Oyo

Plateau

Rivers

Sokoto

Taraba

Yobe

Zamfara

Of course, not everyone likes this twitter thread, some people find the trend sexist:

Because some of the tweets were a little pointed:

Don’t ask me where they go these comparisons from, I couldn’t possibly know. But one thing is sure, you have NEVER seen your states – or women – so graphically described.