The History of Regions' and States' Creation In Nigeria.

Before 1914.

Nigeria was a creation of British imperial system, before 1914, nationalities that formed the modern Nigeria were either kingdoms or empires with little or no cultural and political affirnity. However, events in mid 19th century Europe, and Africa changed the dynamics that ultimately affected Africa-the second largest- geo-political confine on Earth.

Trans-Atlantic slave trade was abolished in 1806 by British Parliament, on March 3, 1807, United States Congress took a similar step to "prohibit the importation of slaves into any part or place within the jurisdiction of the United States."

With the actions of the two western hemisphere nations-both the merchants and end users of slaves received a fatal blow, which they never recovered; regardless, the criminal activities of African middle men and powerful economic interests in Europe and America continued.

Shortly, thereafter, the Royal Navy established British West Africa Squadron to prevent, suppress, and to arrest slaves ship and their merchants; following the Webster-Ashburton treaty that resolved border issues between United States and British North American Colonies, United States contributed to the Squadron; by 1860,  1,600 slaves ships had been arrested, over 150,000 slaves set free.

This development created stronger British footing in West Africa, gradually, occupation and annexation of West African lands became chief mission of British; more so, since Europe was going through economic and political crises-new territories were needed to support home governments.

By 1861, British annexed Lagos, using the power tussle between Oba Akintoye and Prince Kosoko as a pretext.

Twenty-three years after in 1884, a Southern Protectorate and Lagos Colony was created; a charter was issued granting this vast land to the British Commercial interest- the Royal Niger Company for unlimited trading activities.

After several wars and humiliating defeats between British and different nationalities-two protectorates and a colony were in place by 1904, Northern and Southern Protectorates and the Colony of Lagos.

On January 1, 1914, these Protectorates (North and South) and the Colony of Lagos gave birth to Nigeria.

Nigeria After  1914

From 1914 to 1946,  Nigeria was a federation of two divisions, Northern and Southern Divisions

From 1946 Onward:

With the introduction of Richard Constitution in 1946, Nigeria became a federation of three regions: North, East, and West; this political structure or arrangement continued for another seventeen years, till 1963, three years after independence, when Mid-Western Region was carved out of defunct Western Region.

Between 1963 and 1967- Nigeria had four regions, later renamed  states: North, East, West, and the Mid-West with capitals in Kaduna, Enugu, Ibadan, and Benin City.

The twelve state structural arrangement was created by the Military Government during the civil war to limit the power of the break-away region-the East; tpolitical arrangement continued till February 11, 1976,  when seven new states were created, bring Nigeria to a federation of 19 states.

The political and constitutional dilemma the 19-state-structure created during  the 1979 12 2/3 presidential elections resulted in demanding for boundary adjustment; even though, another eight years passed before a structural adjustment was effected.  In 1987, two new states, Delta and Zamfara were created, Nigeria became a 21-state-federal system.

By 1991, four new states emerged,  making Nigeria a 24-state federal structure; and five years later in 1996, six new states created,  which resulted in a 30-state-federal-system in  Nigeria.