Match each Nigerian military Head of State on the left with the correct state creation milestone achieved under their regime on the right.
- General Yakubu GowonDivided the country into 12 states in May 1967, replacing the four regions.
- General Murtala MohammedIncreased the number of states from 12 to 19 in February 1976 following the Irikefe Panel recommendations.
- General Ibrahim BabangidaRestructured Nigeria twice (1987 and 1991), increasing states first to 21 and then to 30.
- General Sani AbachaCreated 6 additional states in October 1996, establishing the current 36-state federation.
Answer
General Yakubu Gowon matches the creation of 12 states in 1967; General Murtala Mohammed matches the expansion to 19 states in 1976; General Ibrahim Babangida matches the restructuring to 21 and 30 states in 1987 and 1991; General Sani Abacha matches the creation of 6 states in 1996 resulting in the 36-state structure.
Each military Head of State presided over specific constitutional and administrative reorganizations of the Nigerian federation: General Gowon replaced the regions with 12 states in 1967; General Murtala Mohammed increased the total to 19 states in 1976; General Babangida reorganized the federation into 21 states in 1987 and 30 states in 1991; General Abacha finalized the present structure of 36 states in 1996.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Evolution of Nigerian Federalism and State Creation