How many states were created in Nigeria in 1967?

Analyze the question: The question asks how many states were created in Nigeria in 1967. This is a question on Nigerian constitutional and political history.

Explain the concept: Before 1967, Nigeria operated as a federation of four regions: Northern, Western, Eastern, and Mid-Western (created in 1963). The structure was criticized for being unbalanced because the Northern Region was larger than the other regions combined. After the 1966 coups and the crisis that followed, the need to restructure the country became urgent.

Step-by-step solution:

1. On 27 May 1967, General Yakubu Gowon, then Head of State, issued a decree that abolished the four regions.
2. In their place, he created 12 states: • Northern Region split into 6: North-Western, North-Central, North-Eastern, Kano, Benue-Plateau, Kwara • Eastern Region split into 3: East-Central, South-Eastern, Rivers • Western Region became 1: Western State • Mid-Western Region became 1: Mid-Western State • Lagos became 1: Lagos State
3. The total: 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 12 states.

Check the other options:

• A (4): the number of regions before 1967.
• C (19): the number of states after the 1976 creation by Murtala Mohammed's government.
• D (21): the number of states after the 1987 creation under Babangida (the 1987 creation brought the total to 21).

Answer: The correct option is B (12).

Tip: Remember the state creation sequence: 1967 → 12, 1976 → 19, 1987 → 21, 1991 → 30, 1996 → 36. A quick memory aid is "Gowon 12, Murtala 19, Babangida 21 and 30, Abacha 36." Many JAMB questions test this exact sequence.