Nigeria is currently categorized into 36 states and Abuja, the federal capital territory. The states are further divided into 774 Local Government Areas.
Before and after independence in 1960, Nigeria was a federation of three Regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern. In 1963, two provinces were detached from the Western Region to form the new Mid-Western Region. 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. In 1976, seven new states were created, making 19 altogether; the Federal Capital Territory (now called Abuja) was established also. There are currently 36 states in the country.