How Each Nigerian State Got Its Name

By Michelle Mojisola Savage

If you paid attention during your primary school Civic Education lessons, you would be familiar with the fact that the name "Nigeria" was derived from the Niger River by Flora Shaw, a British Journalist who eventually became the wife of Frederick Lugard. Intriguingly, many Nigerian states also draw their names from rivers, however, each name  pays homage to cultural heritage, prominent individuals, geographical features, or historical event. Let’s explore the fascinating origins of  Nigerian state names. 
1. ABIA - Abbreviated from the state’s most populous areas: Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Afikpo.
2. ADAMAWA - Named after Modibo Adama, a Fulani warrior who founded the Adamawa Emirate.
3. AKWA IBOM - Named after the Kwa Ibo river, which flows through the state into the Bight of Bonny.
4. ANAMBRA - Derived from Omambala, a prominent river in the region.
5. BAUCHI - Named after a renowned hunter called Baushe.
6. BAYELSA - Derived from the state’s major local government areas: Brass LGA (BALGA), Yenagoa LGA (YELGA), and Sagbama LGA (SALGA).
7. BENUE - Named after the River Benue, which comes from the Batta word 'Binuwe' meaning 'Mother of Waters'.
8. BORNO - Named after the ancient Borno empire.
9. CROSS RIVER - Named after the River Cross or River Oyono, which originates from the Cameroon Mountains and flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
10. DELTA -  Named due to the formation of the Niger River delta as it meets the Atlantic Ocean.
11. EBONYI - Named after the anglicized version of Aboine, a river that flows through Abakaliki, the state capital.
12. EDO - Named after the primary inhabitants of the region's historical conglomeration, Benin City.
13. EKITI - Named after the Ekiti people, whose name originated from "Okiti," a term used to describe a settlement abundant in hills.
14. ENUGU - Derived from the Igbo words Enu Ugwu, meaning "hill top." 
15. GOMBE - Named after the Gombe Emirate and inspired by the Fulani dialect predominant in the area.
16. IMO - Named after Imo River, the largest river in the state, flowing along its eastern border. 
17. JIGAWA - Derived from the Hausa word for a vast loamy soil, reflecting the state's golden-colored soil.
18. KADUNA - A corruption of the Hausa word for "crocodile," referencing the significant crocodile population in the Kaduna River.
19. KANO - Named after a blacksmith named Kano from the Gaya tribe, who settled in the area while searching for iron.
20. KATSINA - Believed to come from the Tamashek language, with possible meanings such as "son" or "blood."
21. KEBBI - Named after the Kebbawa, a subgroup of the Hausa people who settled in the area. 
22. KOGI - Named after the Hausa word for river, "Kogi," due to the state's location near the popular confluence in Nigeria.
23. KWARA - Named after the local name of the River Niger. It means “Sea” or “Lake” in Nupe. 
24. LAGOS - Named after the Portuguese word for “lakes”, due to its numerous lagoons and rivers. 
25. NASSARAWA - Named after the historic Nasarawa Emirate, with "Nasarawa" meaning "victorious" in their native language.
26.  NIGER - Named after the River Niger, a major river in West Africa. The name "Niger" is derived from the Latin word meaning "black."
27. OGUN - Named after the Ogun River, a significant watercourse in the region. The name "Ogun" is derived from the Yoruba deity associated with iron and war.
28. ONDO - Named after the Ondo Kingdom, an ancient Yoruba kingdom in the region. The name "Ondo" is believed to originate from the Yoruba word meaning "the settlers."
29. OSUN - Named after the Osun River. The name "Osun" is derived from the Yoruba goddess of fertility, love, wealth, and rivers.
30. OYO - Named after the historic Oyo Empire, one of the prominent kingdoms in West Africa.
31. PLATEAU - Named after the Jos Plateau, a significant elevated flatland in the region known for its cool climate and scenic landscapes.
32. RIVERS  - Named after the abundance of rivers and waterways in the state.
33. SOKOTO - Named after the ancient Sokoto Caliphate, derived from the Arabic word “suk” meaning “market.”
34. TARABA - Named after the Taraba River, a prominent watercourse in the southern part of the state.
35. YOBE - Named after River Yobe, which in Fulfulde is called “Komadougou Yobe.”
36. ZAMFARA - Named after the ancient kingdom of Zamfara.

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