Why we broke Nigeria into 12 states — Gowon

The Context of the Nigerian Civil War

The decision to split Nigeria into 12 states came at a particularly tumultuous time in the country’s history. The nation had recently emerged from the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), which had been triggered by the secession of the southeastern region under the leadership of Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu. This secession led to the formation of the Republic of Biafra, which resulted in a brutal conflict that lasted for over three years. The war, often referred to as one of the bloodiest in Africa, caused widespread devastation and loss of life.

The primary issue at the heart of the conflict was the demand for political autonomy by various ethnic groups. The southeastern region, dominated by the Igbo ethnic group, felt marginalized in the political structure dominated by the northern and western regions. The Biafran secession was largely seen as a response to perceived political exclusion, economic inequality, and ethnic discrimination.

After the civil war ended with the surrender of Biafra in January 1970, one of the key challenges faced by the Nigerian government was how to ensure lasting peace and unity in a deeply divided country. Gowon, who led the country during the civil war, recognized that the existing structure of Nigeria’s regions was no longer tenable and needed reform to avoid future conflict.

The Decision to Create 12 States

In his recent remarks, Gowon explained that the decision to divide Nigeria into 12 states was driven by the need to address the ethnic and regional imbalances that had played a major role in the civil war. Before 1967, Nigeria was divided into four regions—Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southern Cameroons (which was a British mandate territory until its reunification with Nigeria in 1961). This regional arrangement, based on historical colonial boundaries and ethnic considerations, was seen as contributing to the political and ethnic tensions that fueled the civil war.

Gowon believed that creating smaller administrative units would help decentralize power and reduce the dominance of any single ethnic or regional group. By increasing the number of states, the government hoped to create a more balanced federal system that would allow for greater regional autonomy and better representation of the country’s diverse ethnic groups. This restructuring was intended to foster national integration and prevent any group from feeling excluded or oppressed.

The creation of 12 states in 1967 also marked the beginning of Nigeria’s ongoing state-creation process, which has resulted in the country currently having 36 states and one Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The reorganization in 1967 involved splitting the existing regions into smaller states: the Eastern Region was divided into three new states—East Central, Rivers, and Southeast; the Western Region gave birth to two new states—Oyo and Ondo; and the Northern Region was split into four new states—Benue-Plateau, North Central, Kano, and Sokoto. Additionally, the Southern Cameroons were incorporated into the Eastern Region.

The Goals of the Restructuring

The primary objective of the 12-state creation, according to Gowon, was to create a more cohesive and harmonious country, post-civil war. By reducing the power of the old regional elites, it was hoped that ethnic divisions could be mitigated and a more inclusive government could emerge. The restructuring also aimed to promote a more equitable distribution of resources and encourage regional development. Nigeria’s vast natural resources, including oil, were primarily located in the south and southeastern regions, and the creation of new states allowed for a more equitable distribution of power and wealth across the country.

Furthermore, Gowon emphasized that the state creation was designed to prevent the dominance of any single ethnic group or region, which had been a significant issue before the Civil War. The new system allowed for better local governance and the management of resources at the grassroots level, empowering regional leaders and ensuring that smaller groups had a greater say in the country’s governance.

Controversies and Criticisms

While the creation of 12 states was initially viewed as a positive step toward national unity, it was not without its criticisms. Some political analysts argue that the restructuring may have deepened Nigeria’s ethnic and regional divisions. By creating more states, ethnic groups were further fragmented, potentially leading to competition over resources and political power. Smaller ethnic groups within each state also sought greater recognition, which sometimes led to demands for the creation of even more states.

In the years that followed, the calls for the creation of additional states grew louder. Many Nigerians believed that the 12-state structure had not done enough to address the country’s political and economic challenges, particularly concerning regional disparities and resource allocation. This resulted in a continued process of state creation, with more states being added during subsequent administrations.

The Impact on National Unity

Despite the criticisms, the creation of 12 states in 1967 is widely considered a turning point in Nigeria’s political history. It helped stabilize the country in the aftermath of the civil war, giving rise to a more balanced and decentralized federal system. The restructuring laid the foundation for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to manage its diverse ethnic groups and ensure that each region had a voice in the country’s decision-making processes.

Today, Nigeria’s 36-state system is seen by some as a necessary structure to accommodate the country’s vast ethnic diversity, while others argue that it has led to inefficiency and resource waste due to the high cost of governance. Nevertheless, the decision to create 12 states remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s quest for unity and national integration.

General Gowon’s recent comments on the creation of 12 states in 1967 provide valuable insight into the motivations behind one of the most significant political decisions in Nigeria’s history. The restructuring was intended to promote national unity, address regional imbalances, and prevent future ethnic conflicts. While it was not a perfect solution, it played a pivotal role in stabilizing Nigeria after the civil war. The debate over state creation continues to shape Nigeria’s political landscape today, with the quest for a truly equitable and representative system of governance ongoing.