How this list was compiled: Items made on 2026-09-26; names, ids and accepted spellings are Natural Earth's. Licence: public domain (Natural Earth terms of use: https://www.naturalearthdata.com/about/terms-of-use/)
The drawing: Drawn for this site from Natural Earth 5.1.2, ne_10m_admin_1_states_provinces (scale 1:10,000,000), https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvkelso/natural-earth-vector/v5.1.2/geojson/ne_10m_admin_1_states_provinces.geojson, downloaded 2026-09-19. Surrounding land from Natural Earth 5.1.2, ne_10m_admin_0_countries (scale 1:10,000,000), https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvkelso/natural-earth-vector/v5.1.2/geojson/ne_10m_admin_0_countries.geojson, downloaded 2026-09-19. Capitals from Natural Earth 5.1.2, ne_10m_populated_places_simple (scale 1:10,000,000), https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvkelso/natural-earth-vector/v5.1.2/geojson/ne_10m_populated_places_simple.geojson, downloaded 2026-09-19. Lambert azimuthal equal-area projection centred on 8.4°N 7.3°E. Outlines simplified; small islands are left out. Licence: public domain (Natural Earth terms of use: https://www.naturalearthdata.com/about/terms-of-use/)
How it works
This Nigeria outline map shows its 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory around Abuja. Switch Borders off and it prints as a plain outline map of Nigeria with no state lines.
Read the full guide
Blank, numbered or named
The sheet opens blank. Choose Numbered to put a number on each of the 37 states and the capital territory of Nigeria, or Named for their names, then press Print this map; the answer key prints on its own sheet.
Six zones
The states are grouped into six geopolitical zones: North-West, North-East and North-Central, and South-West, South-East and South-South. Lagos is the smallest state by area. Borno, in the north-east by Lake Chad, and Niger State, in the north-central zone, are the two largest states.
Niger State shares its name with Niger, the country to the north. Remind students the country is not numbered on this map.
Questions and answers
How many states does Nigeria have?
Thirty-six, since 1996, plus the Federal Capital Territory, where Abuja stands. The map numbers all 37.
What are the six geopolitical zones?
North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South. They are a grouping used since the 1990s, not a level of government.
Is Lagos the capital of Nigeria?
No. Abuja has been the capital since 1991. Lagos, the largest city, is the capital of Lagos State on the coast.