Which of the following Nigerian heads of state did NOT create states? General

Analyze the question: We need the head of state who did NOT create any states in Nigeria's history.

Concept: State creation in Nigeria

Nigeria's states were created by military rulers in these exercises:

• 1967: Yakubu Gowon created 12 states, breaking up the four regions.
• 1976: Murtala Mohammed created 7 more states, bringing the total to 19. (The announcement came under Murtala, and the exercise was completed under Obasanjo.)
• 1987: Ibrahim Babangida created Akwa Ibom and Katsina, making 21 states.
• 1991: Ibrahim Babangida created 9 more states, making 30.
• 1996: Sani Abacha created 6 states (Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Gombe, Ekiti), making 36 states.

Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999) ruled for about a year and handed over to civilian rule. He created no states. His main task was the transition to democracy.

Check each option:

• A. Abdulsalami Abubakar: created no states ✔
• B. Babangida: created states in 1987 and 1991
• C. Murtala Mohammed: created states in 1976
• D. Abacha: created states in 1996
• E. Gowon: created states in 1967

Answer: The correct option is A.

Tip: Remember the state counts as a sequence: Gowon 12 → Murtala 19 → Babangida 21 → 30 → Abacha 36. Any head of state not in this chain, such as Abdulsalami Abubakar, Shagari, or Buhari (1983-85), created no states. Short-tenure transition leaders rarely create states.