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Difficulty: MediumEvolution of Nigerian Federalism and State Creation

Arrange the following historical milestones in the structural evolution of Nigerian federalism and state creation in correct chronological order, from the earliest to the latest event.

  1. 1Creation of the Mid-Western Region, expanding Nigeria from three to four regions.
  2. 2Promulgation of Decree No. 14 dividing the federation into twelve states under military rule.
  3. 3Restructuring of Nigeria into nineteen states following the recommendations of the Justice Irikefe Panel.
  4. 4Creation of nine additional states, increasing the federating units from twenty-one to thirty states.

Answer

The correct chronological sequence is: first, the creation of the Mid-Western Region (1963); second, the division of Nigeria into twelve states (1967); third, the restructuring into nineteen states (1976); and fourth, the expansion into thirty states (1991).
The correct sequence begins with the constitutional creation of the Mid-Western Region in 1963 (expanding Nigeria to 4 regions), followed by General Gowon's creation of 12 states in May 1967, then General Murtala Muhammed's expansion to 19 states in February 1976, and finally General Ibrahim Babangida's expansion to 30 states in August 1991.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the date for the creation of the Mid-Western Region.
The Mid-Western Region was created in August 1963, making it the first milestone in this sequence.
It expanded the original 1954 three-region federal structure into four regions during the First Republic.
2
Identify the date for the creation of twelve states under General Yakubu Gowon.
Decree No. 14 of May 1967 abolished the regional system and created twelve states.
This replaced the four regions prior to the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War.
3
Identify the date for the creation of nineteen states under General Murtala Muhammed.
In February 1976, seven new states were created to bring the total to nineteen states.
This restructuring was based on the recommendations of the Justice Ayo Irikefe Panel.
4
Identify the date for the expansion to thirty states under General Ibrahim Babangida.
In August 1991, nine states were created to increase the total number of states from twenty-one to thirty.
This marked Babangida's second state creation exercise following the 1987 exercise.

Key Concept

Chronological evolution of state creation exercises and federal restructuring in post-independence Nigeria.
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Evolution of Nigerian Federalism and State Creation