Federal Capital Territory State
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) hosts Nigeria's capital, Abuja, in the North Central geopolitical zone.
- Capital
- Abuja
- Population
- 3.8M
- Total area
- 7,574 km²
- LGAs
- 6
- House Reps (total)
- 2
- IGR (2024)
- ₦282.4B
- Capital
- Abuja
- Population
- 3.8M
- 2023 estimate
- Land area
- 7,574 km²
- LGAs
- 6
- Senate seats
- 1
- IGR (2024)
- ₦282.4B
- internally generated revenue
Sub-national administrative units
Local government areas (6)
6 constitutional tier-3 units
Geopolitical synthesis
Federal Capital Territory in the federation
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) hosts Nigeria's capital, Abuja, in the North Central geopolitical zone.
Bordering territories & maritime boundaries
- Land bordersKaduna, Nassarawa, Niger
Quick facts
- Date created
- 1976
- Known as
- Centre of Unity
- Population
- ~3,800,000
- Climate classification
- Tropical Wet & Dry / Savanna
- LGAs
- 6
Languages, stories and places to explore
Languages spoken
Major cities
Abuja · Gwagwalada · Kuje
What to explore · learn
The Federal Capital Territory's nickname reflects the deliberate choice of a centrally located, ethnically neutral site for Nigeria's capital.
Abuja was purpose-built starting in 1976 and officially replaced Lagos as Nigeria's federal capital in 1991.
A 725-metre granite monolith just outside the FCT along the Kaduna expressway has become an unofficial national symbol, once featured on the 100-naira note.
Abuja stages a national carnival showcasing performances from across Nigeria; the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy lists the 2024 edition.
annualAbujaThe Ona of Abaji heads the Abaji Emirate, an Ebira-Koto (Egbura) traditional state in the FCT.
Abaji
Cultural groups & homelands
FCT indigenous peoples
6 LGAsThe original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory, who lived in the area long before Abuja was built.
Major celebrations
- annualAbuja
Cultural institutions
The Ona of Abaji heads the Abaji Emirate, an Ebira-Koto (Egbura) traditional state in the FCT.
Abaji
Metro areas
Abuja Metropolis (FCT)
The urbanised core area councils of the Federal Capital Territory surrounding Nigeria's purpose-built federal capital.