Nigeria-Brief History

Nigeria christened after River Niger came into formal existence in 1914 when the British colonial government merged together the Lagos colony, the Northern and Southern Protectorates in what was known as the amalgamation, whose principle purpose was ease of governance. They then divided the new entity into four provinces. The Northern province, The Eastern province, Western province and the Lagos colony.
Prior to British colonization of the area now known as Nigeria, the people lived in their separate kingdoms and empires namely:
The Northern Empire, the Calabar Kingdom, the Oduduwa Empire and the Benin Empire.
The Northern empire was made up of the Borno empire and the Hausa states of Kano, Zazzau, Gobir, Katsina, Bironi and Daura. Other groups in this empire include Kebbi, Nupe, Gwari, and Yelwa.
The Calabar Kingdom, one of the oldest kingdoms, home to the first church built in Nigeria dating back to 1850, Calabar is said to have the oldest contact with the Europeans. It is said Calabar was founded by twins and had influence into present day Ibo lands of Abia and Imo states, as well as the Cameroons.
The Oduduwa empire was the home of the Yorubas. This empire consisted of two main groups. The one indigenous people whose central religious and cultural center was Ile Ife, and the invading Berbels who founded Borno and the Hausa states.
The Benin empire's influence reached what is today known as Ghana as far back as the 16th century. This empire was and still is second to none in its mastery of African sculpturing. This empire is arguably the home of the most sophisticated African antiques and artifacts. Following the amalgamation of 1914, in 1922 the British introduced the concept of direct election into the Lagos and Calabar legislative councils and in 1948 gave the provinces advisorial responsibility to the central government. In 1951, the provinces were accorded regional status and this was the beginning of party politics in Nigeria.
Under this dispensation, The National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) took control of the eastern regional government. The Northern region was controlled by the Northern Peoples Congress. The western region was controlled by the Action group.
In 1957, the east and the west began to govern themselves and in 1959 the Northern region embraced self governance.
All through this period, the British colonial government had administered the Northern and Southern Cameroon as part of Nigeria. However, in October 1960, prior to Nigeria's independence the Cameroonians were given the option to choose if they wanted to remain with Nigeria or not through a referendum. The Southern part of Cameroon opted to leave Nigeria while Northern Cameroon (present day Taraba state) stayed with Nigeria.
Geography: Today Nigeria is a country of approximately 100 million people (1995 est.), with a total area of 923,770 sq. km and comparatively twice the size of the state of California. It is bordered in the west by Republic of Benin with 773 Km, in the east by Cameroon with 1,690 Km, in the North by Niger with 1,497 Km and in the North east by Chad with 87 Km. with a total coastline of 853Km. The total land area being 910,770sq Km.
Climate: Nigeria lacks uniform climate with the northern part being arid, equatorial in the south
and tropical in the center.
Natural resources: Coal, Limestone, Lead, Zinc, Tin, Columbite, Iron ore, natural gas and
petroleum.
Government:
The Executive branch of the government of Nigeria is headed by President Olusegun Obasanjo of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) who came into power in May 29, 1999 succeeding Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar.
The Cabinet: 

Capital
:
Abuja replaced Lagos as the Capital on December 12 ,1993.

States: Nigeria has 36 states plus the federal capital territory. Abia, Abuja (Federal Capital Territory), Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambara, Bauchi, Borno, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe & Zamfara

Economy:
Oil exports accounts for 95% of Nigeria's revenues with cocoa and rubber accounting for the remainder of export revenues. Political instability and poor to bad management has reduced Nigeria to a country with an inflation rate of over 50% with unemployment at about 40% according to 93/94 estimates.

1996 Budget:
Nigeria's budget for fiscal year 1996 is N41 billion as compared to N39 billion for 1995. The '96 budget is based on $16 per barrel with projected total revenue of N214 billion at an official exchange rate of N22 to $1. Non-oil revenue is projected at N126 billion bringing the total projected revenue to N340 billion .
According to the Administration, the expenditure budget will focus more on "development of the economy". For 1996, the budget allocation for capital expenditure has been budgeted at N48 billion while recurrent expenditure was put at N77 billion. N52 billion was set aside for external debt service.
1997 Budget: According to the government, the performance of the economy in 1996 was generally satisfactory. "The full impact of the various policies and programs of 1996 are yet to be felt given the lag that usually characterize such effects. Once these policies begin to bear fruit, the living conditions of Nigerians will improve".
The government claims that "during 1996, considerable progress was made in improving the investment climate by repealing, and in some cases removing, restrictive laws. In its view, the evidence of seriousness in the matter of accountability enunciated in 1995 continued throughout 1996.
1999 Budget:   " Fiscal 1998 was a year of mixed economic blessings. Our foreign reserves at the end of November 1998 stood at US$7.6billion. The year witnessed some measure of macro economic stability and consolidation of the economic gains attained in 1996 and 1997. Significant progress was also recorded in implementing economic reforms. These include the removal of restrictions on competition as well as private sector participation in various sectors of the economy. Additional measures to address financial sector distress were adopted.
However, the economy suffered some set-backs which adversely affected the implementation of the 1998 budget and the
realisation of the set targets. The global decline in the international crude oil prices, the reduction in our OPEC quota and the
temporary closure of oil wells in the Niger-Delta led to a sharp reduction in government foregin exchange earnings from crude
oil. Consequently, the budgeted 1998 revenue of N216.336 billion from oil could not be realised. Indeed, by October 31,
1998, actual receipts from crude oil amounted to only N134.44 billion." 

A look at the 36 States Of Nigeria

Below you will find a list of the 36 states of Nigeria, their capitals and number of local governments. Please note that the states are listed in alphabetical order and that work is still in progress on this page

States

Capital

# of
Local Governments

Abia Umuahia 17
Adamawa Yola 20
Akwa Ibom Uyo 31
Anambra Awka 21
Bauchi Bauchi 20
Bayelsa Yenegua 9
Benue Markurdi 22
Borno Maidugiri 27
Cross River Calabar 18
Delta Asaba 25
Ebonyi Abakaliki 12
Edo Benin City 18
Ekiti Ado-Ekiti 16
Enugu Enugu 17
Gombe Gombe 11
Imo Owerri 27
Jigawa Dutse 27
Kaduna Kaduna 23
Kano Kano 44
Katsina Katsina 34
Kebbi Birnin Kebbi 22
Kogi Lokoja 20
Kwara Ilorin 16
Lagos Ikeja 20
Nassarawa Lafia 13
Niger Minna 25
Ogun Abeokuta 19
Ondo Akure 18
Osun Oshogbo 28
Oyo Ibadan 32
Plateau Jos 17
Rivers Port-Harcourt 22
Sokoto Sokoto 22
Taraba Jalingo 15
Yobe Damaturu 17
Zamfara Gusau 14
( Updated April, 2000)

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Name Positon Ministry
Prof. Tunde Adeniran Minister of Education Ministry of Education
Alh. L. Batagarawa Minister of State Ministry of Education
Dr. Segun Agagu Minister of Aviation Ministry of Aviation
Alhaji Mohammed Arzika Minister of Communications Ministry of Communications
Ibrahim Bunu Minister of Federal Capital Territory Federal Capital Territory
Mr. Solomon Ewugu Minister of State Federal Capital Territory
Engr. Mustapha Bello Minister of Commerce Ministry of Commerce
Mr. Damasi Sango Minister of Sports and Social Devt. Ministry of Sports & Soc. Dev.
Chief  T. Graham - Douglas Minister of Employment, Labour & Prod. Ministry of Emp, Labour& Prod.
Malam Adamu Ciroma Minister of Finance Ministry of Finance
Sen. Martin Kuye Minister of State Ministry of Finance
Alhaji Sule Lamido Minister of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Hon. Dubem Onyia Minister of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Chief S.M. Afolabi Minister of Internal Affairs Ministry of Internal Affiars
Kana Godwin Agabi Minister of Justice/Attorney-General Ministry of Justice
Dr. Tim Menakaye Minister of Health Ministry of Health
Dr. (Mrs.) Amina Ndalolo Minister of State Ministry of Health
Dr. Iyorchia Ayu Minister of Industries Ministry of Industries
Chief Dapo Sarumi Minister of Information Ministry of Information
Chief Bola Ige Minister of Power and Steel Ministry of Power and Steel
Alhaji Danjuma Goje Minister of State Ministry of Power and Steel
Chief  Ebitimi Banigo Minister of Science and Technology Ministry of Science/Technology
Alhaji Musa Gwadabe Minister of Solid Minerals Ministry of Solid Minerals
Dr. (Mrs.) Kema Chikwe Minister of Transport Ministry of Transport
Minister for Women & Youth Ministry of Women & Youth
Chief Tony Anenih Minister of Works and Housing Ministry of Works and Housing
Mr. Isah Balat Minister of State Ministry of Work and Housing
Rtd. Col. M. Bello Kaliel Minister of Water Resources Ministry of Water Resources
Chief  Precious Ngelale Minister of  State Ministry of  Water Resources
Alhaji S. Zango Daura Minister of Agriculture & Rural Devt. Ministry of Agriculture & Rural
Mr. Chris Agbobu Minister of State Ministry of Agriculture
Mr. Ojo Maduekwe Minister of Culture and Tourism Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Alhaji Haruna Elewi Minister of State Ministry of Communications
 

Nigerian Diplomatic Missions Abroad

Algeria Angola Australia Austria Belgium Botswana Brazil Burkina-
Faso
Cameroon Canada
Central
African
Republic
Chad China Congo Cote-D-
'Ivoire
Cuba Denmark Egypt Ethiopia Finland
France Gabon Ghana Gambia Germany Guinea Guinea
Bissau
Equatorial
Guinea
Hong
Kong
India
Iran Iraq Ireland Italy Jamaica Japan Kenya Lebanon Liberia Libya
Mali Mauritania Mozambique Niger Norway Pakistan Poland Portugal Romania Saudi
Arabia
Senegal Scotland Sierra-
Leone
Somalia Spain Sudan Sweden Switzerland United
Nations
Tanzania
Togo Trinidad
&
Tobago
Uganda United
Kingdom
United
States
Zaire Zambia      

DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN NIGERIA

 
ALGERIA
Embassy of the People's
Democratic Republic of Algeria
26, Maitama Sule Street
S.W Ikoyi,
P. O. Box 7288, Lagos.
Tel: 683155, 2690448

ANGOLA
Street 5, Kasunmu Ekemode
Street.
P. O. Box 50437
Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos
Trl:261139

ARGENTINA
93, Awolowo Road
S. W. Ikoyi
Box 51940, Lagos
Tel:  683508, 269003,
        2690117, 682797

AUSTRIA
FABA CENTER
3B Ligali Ayorinde Av.
Victoria Island
Box 1914, Lagos
Tel: 2616081, 2613124
Fax: 617639

AUSTRALIA
Street 2, Ozumba Mbadiwe Av.
Box 2427, Lagos.
Tel:613124, 618875

BELGIUM
1A, Murtala Mohammed Drive
Ikoyi
Box 146,Lagos
Tel: 2691507 - 11

BENIN
4, Abudu Smith Street
Victoria island
Box 5705, Lagos
Tel: 2614385

BRAZIL
Plot 257 Kofo Abayomi,
Victoria island.
Box 1913, Lagos
Tel: 2610177, 2610135/6

BRITAIN
11, Eleke Crescent,
Victoria Island
Lagos
Tel: 2619531, 2619537, 2619566, 2619588, 2619541, 2619543

BULGARIA
3, Eleke Crescent,
Victoria Island, Lagos
Tel: 2611931, 2611932

CENTRAL AFRICAN REP.
Plot 137, Ajao Estate,
New Airport Road,
Oshodi,  Lagos.
Tel: 682820

CHILE
9, Ademola Street, Ikoyi, lagos
Tel: 683455

NAMIBIA
24, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: 2618606

PORTUGAL
PLot 1677 Olakunle Bakare Close, Victoria Island,
Lagos.
Tel: 2619037

SENEGAL
12/14 Kofo Abayomi Street,
Victoria Island.
Tel: 2611722

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
2, Eleke Crescent,
Victoria Island
Lagos
Tel:  2610050, 2610139, 2610097

    EGYPT
Kofo Abayomi Street,
V/I, Lagos. Box 538
Tel: 2612922, 2618029

EQUATORIAL GUINEA
7, Murtala Muhammed Drive,
Lagos.
Box 4162, Lagos

FINLAND
Plot 13, Eleke Crescent,
V/I Lagos. Box 4433, Lagos.
Tel: 2610916, 2610524, 613158

FRANCE
1, Olayinka Abayomi drive
Ikoyi, Lagos
Tel: 2693427 -30

GABON
6, Norman Williams Street
Ikoyi
Box 5989, Lagos
Tel; 684673, 684566

GAMBIA
162, Awolowo Road,
Box 8073, Lagos.
Tel: 681018

GERMANY
15, Eleke Crescent, V/I, Lagos.
Tel: 2611011, 2611082

GHANA
21/23 King George V Road,
Onikan
Box 2390, 1889
Tel: 2630015, 2630934

GREECE
Plot 164 Oko Awo Close
Victoria Island
Box 1199, Lagos
Tel: 2611412, 2610165

JAPAN
24/25 Apese Street,
Victoria Island.
Tel: 2614929, 2613797
Fax: 682768, 685531

P. O. Box 2111, Lagos.

KENYA
52, Oyinkan Abayomi Drive,
Box 6464, Ikoyi, Lagos
Tel: 682768, 685531

DEMOCRATIC REP. (KOREA)
Plot 20C, Road 203, V/I Annexe
Box64256, Maroko, Lagos.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA
2, Alhaji Masha Close, Ikoyi
Box 1009, Lagos
Tel: 2690424,  683207

DENMARK
4, Eleke Crescent, V/I, Lagos
Tel: 2610660, 2610841

COTE"D" IVORIE
3, Abudu Smith Street, 
V.I, .Lagos
Box 7786, Lagos
Tel: 2610936

PHILIPPINES
Plot 152, Prince Ade Odedina Street,
Victoria Island,
Lagos:
Tel: 261404

SOUTH AFRICA
Madulke Street,
Off Raymond Njoku Street,
Ikoyi

TANZANIA
8, Agoro Odiyan Street,
Victoria Island.
Tel: 2613594, 2613604

    LEBANON
Plot 18, Eleke Crescent,
Victoria Island,
P. O. Box 651, Lagos
Tel: 2614511

LIBERIA
Plot 162, Idejo Street,
Victoria Island,
Box 70841, Lagos.

LIBYA
Plot C11,Ligali Ayorinde Av.
V/I Annexe
GPO Box 2860,
Lagos

MAURITANIA
4A, 304 Road,
V/I Annexe
Box 53569, Falomo
Ikoyi, Lagos.

MOROCCO
Plot 1318, 27 Karimu kotun Str.
Victoria Island.
Tel: 2611682
Fax: 2690101
Lagos.

NETHERLANDS
24, Ozumba Mbadiwe Av.
V/I Avenue,
Victoria Island.
Tel: 2612330
PMB 2425, Lagos.


NORWAY
3, Anifowoshe Street,
Victoria Island,
Box2431, Lagos
Tel: 2618467, 2618468

SWITZERLAND
7, Anifowoshe Street,
Victoria Island,
Box 536, Lagos.
Tel: 2613918, 26138848

ZIMBABWE
6, Kasumu Ekemode Street,
P. O. Box 50247,
Lagos.


BURKINA FASO
15, Norman Williams
Ikoyi
Box 12605,
Victoria Island, lagos
Tel: 681001

CAMEROON
5, Elsie Femi Pearse Street, V.I.
Box 2476, Lagos
Tel: 2612226, 2614386

CANADA
4, Idowu Taylor Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos
Box 54506, Ikoyi Station, Lagos.
Tel: 2612915-8,
Fax: 2692919

CHAD
2, Goriola Street, V.I. Lagos.
PMB 70662, Lagos.
Tel: 613116

MALI
Represented by 
Sengalese Embassy

RUSSIA
5, Eleke Crescent, V. I.
Tel: 2612267, 2613359

SWEDEN
PLot 17 Eleke Crescent,
Victoria Island.
Tel: 2610240, 2618801

ZIMBABWE
8, Kasumu Ekemode Street,
(Off Saka Tinubu Street) V. I. 
Tel: 2619328

  GUINEA
8 Abudu smith Street,
Hopewell, V/I
Box 2859, Lagos.
Tel:616961

HOLY SEE
14, kofo Abayomi Street
9, Anifowoshe Street,
Victoria island,
Box 2470, Lagos.
Tel: 614441, 613744, 613410

HUNGARY
Alakija 9, Louis Solomon Close,
V/I, Lagos
Box 3168, Lagos.

INDIA
8A, Eleke Crescent,
Victoria Island,
PMB 2322, Lagos
Tel: 2613668, 2615905

INDONESIA

5B, Anifowoshe Street,
Box 3473, Lagos
2614601, 2610508
Fax: 613301

IRAN
1A/B, Alexander Avenue,
Box 964,
Lagos.
Tel: 2693821, 681601

IRAQ
Plot 708A, Adeola Street, V/I
Box 28826,
:Lagos.
Tel:2610389

IRELAND
Embassy of Ireland
Box 2421, Lagos.
Tel: 2615224, 2617567

ISRAEL
Plot 636, Adeyemo Alakija Street,
Victoria island.
Tel: 2690909
Fax: 2690341

ITALY
2, Eleke Crescent, V/I,
Box 2161, Lagos
Tel: 2614066, 2619881

JAMAICA
Plot 77, 303 Road,
Victoria Island Annexe
Box 75368, Lagos
Tel: 2611085

REP. OF KOREA
Plot 934, Idejo Street V/I
P. O. Box 4668, Lagos

CUBA
Plot 935, Idejo Street,
V/I. Box 328, Lagos.
Tel: 614836


CHINA
Plot 161A Idejo Street, V.I.
Lagos
Tel: 2619531, 2612400

ETHIOPIA
Plot 97 Ahmadu Bello Way,
Victoria Island
Lagos.
Tel: 2613198

SPAIN
31C Kofo Abayomi Street,
Victoria Island
Lagos
Tel: 2615215, 2614918

VENEZUELA
3B Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: 2618150

 

Federal Government Institutions


Institutions

                   Address   Phone Number
  Central Bank of Nigeria     Tinubu Square, P.M.B.12194,
    Lagos
   01-2660100
   01-2660647
  Co-Operative Development
  Bank Nigeria Limited
   105 Oron Rd, P.M.B.1203, Uyo    085-202 833
   085-202 781
  Federal Department of Antiquities    Director's Office,
   Nigerian Museum, Lagos.
   01-263 4704
  Federal Environmental Protection Agency    Eric Moore Rd, Surulere, Lagos  
  Federal Housing Authority    Badagry Rd, Festac Town
   P.M.B.3200 Surulere, Lagos.
 
  Federal Institute of Industrial Research    FIIRO, Oshodi, P.M.B.1023
   Ikeja, Lagos
   01-900121-2
   01-962162-4
   01-963404
  Federal Institute of Oceanography & Marine
  Research
   Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island,
   Lagos
   01-2660647
  Federal Mortgage Bank    Mamman Katangora House,
   23 Marina,P.O.Box 2078, Lagos
   01-2647371-3
   01-2646242-4
  Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria    Broadcasting House, Ikoyi
   P.M.B.12504, Lagos.
   01-603010-14
  Federal Road Safety Commission    Off Michael Okpara St.,P.M.B.125
   Wuse, Abuja, Nigeria
 
  Industrial Research Council of Nigeria    Matori Industrial Avenue
   P.M.B.1283, Ikeja, Lagos.
   01-9652418
  National Electric Power Plc    24-25, Marina, PMB 12030, Lagos.    01-651370-84
  National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria    Onne Fertilizer Complex,
   Onne, River State.
   084-820480-95
  National Institute for Policy and Strategic
  Studies
   P.M.B.2024, Bukuru, Plateau State    073-80744
  National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria    5 Customs Street, Lagos, Nigeria    01-2666012
   01-2666020-4
  National Library of Nigeria    4 Wesley Street, P.M.B.12626
   Lagos, Nigeria
   01-2656590
   01-2610657
  National Maritime Authority    Maritime House, 41 Burma Rd, Apapa, 
   Lagos
   01-5804800-9
  National Provident Fund    Engineering Close, Off Idowu
   Taylor St, Victoria Island
   01-2664930
   01-2664957
   01-2664989
  National Universities Commission    Idowu Taylor St, Victoria Island Lagos    01-2635501
  National Youth Service Corps    Garki, Abuja  
  Nigerdock    Snake Island, Apapa, Lagos    01-872283
  Nigeria Agricultural & Co-operative Bank
  Limited
   Hospital Road, P.M.B.2155
   Kaduna, Nigeria
   062-201000-2
  Nigeria Bank of Commercs & Industies 
  Limited
   20 Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.    01-2614972
   01-2617665
  Nigeria Airways    Airways House, Ikeja, Lagos.
   01-9003470-88
   01-900553
  Nigeria Airport Authority    P.M.B. 4532, P.M.B.21607
   Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
   01-901170-7
   01-900800
  Nigerian Deposit Insurance Co-operation    41/45 Broad St, P.M.B.12881
   Lagos, Nigeria
 
  Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Board    15-19 Keffi St, S.W. Ikoyi, Lagos    01-2680929
  Nigerian Export Import Bank (NIXEM) 
  Limited
   Allied House, 155/161 Broad Street,
   Lagos, Nigeria
   01-2641041-50
  Nigerian Industrial Development Bank    (Head Office) NIDB House,63/71
   Broad St, P.O.Box 2357, Lagos.
   01-2663470
   01-2663495
   01-2663515
   01-2663539
   01-2663563
   01-2662534
   01-2663575
  Nigerian Institute of International Affairs    13/15 Kofo Abayomi Road,
   Victoria Island, Box 1727, Lagos
   01-2614309
  Nigerian National Petroleum Company    Awolowo Road, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos.    01-2603100-1
   01-2681146-49
  The Nigerian National Shipping Line    Development House,21 Wharf Road
   P.O.Box 326, Apapa, Lagos.Nigeria
   01-877121
   01-877262
  Nigerian Petroleum Refinery Corporation    Investment House,
   21-25 Broad Street, Lagos.Nigeria
   01-2660621
   01-2664862
  Nigerian Ports Plc    26/28 Marina, Lagos.    01-2600629-9
  Nigerian Postal Services    Ministry of Communications Building,
   Lafiaji, Lagos.Nigeria
   01-2634091
  Nigerian Prisons Service    Alagbon Close, P.M.B.12522
   Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
   01-2681209
   01-2603400
  Nigerian Railway Corporation    Ebute-Metta, Lagos    01-802001-10
  Nigerian Reinsurance Cooperation    46 Marina, P.M.B.12766
   Lagos.Nigeria
   01-2666007
   01-2666013
   01-2666019
  Nigerian Telecommunications Limited    15 Marina, P.O.Box 173, Lagos.    01-2635010
  Nigerian Television Authority    Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island,
   Lagos.Nigeria
 
  People's Bank    33 Balogun St,
   P.M.B.12914,Lagos , Nigeria
   01-2664241
   01-2637857
   01-2667571
  The Police Service Commission    Force Headquarters, Kam Salem House,
   Moloney Street, Lagos.
   01-664911
  Price Promotion Council    12 Latunde Labinjo St, Ikorodu Rd,
   Lagos.
   01-900121-2
  Urban Development Bank of Nigeria Plc    New Nigerian Bank Building,
   Zone 6, Wuse, P.M.B.272, Abuja.
 
EDO STATE OF NIGERIA