<Tr> <Th_colspan="3"> Territory </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="3"> Federal Capital Territory (FCT) </Td> </Tr> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Date </Th> <Th> Events </Th> <Th> Map </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1960 - 1963 </Td> <Td> At the time of independence in 1960, Nigeria was a Federal State of three Regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern . Additionally, provinces, which were a legacy of colonial times, remained extant until they were abolished in 1976 . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1963 - 1967 </Td> <Td> In 1963, two provinces were detached from the Western Region to form the new Mid-Western Region . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1967 - 1976 </Td> <Td> In 1967, the regions were replaced by 12 states due to a military decree; only the former Mid-Western Region escaped division, and formed a single state following the restructuring . From 1967 to 1970 the areas of Mid-Western State and the Eastern Region attempted to secede, as a nation called Biafra during the Nigerian civil war . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1976 - 1987 </Td> <Td> In 1976, seven new states were created, making 19 altogether . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1987 - 1991 </Td> <Td> During this period, there were 21 states and later, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1991 - 1996 </Td> <Td> During this period, there were 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory . The Federal Capital Territory was established in 1991 . In 1987 two new states were established, followed by another nine in 1991, bringing the total to 30 . The latest change, in 1996, resulted in the present number of 36 states . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Date </Th> <Th> Events </Th> <Th> Map </Th> </Tr>

Nigeria became a federation of 19 states in