Special Features

Cross River State: List of LGAs, population, capital, government, other key facts

Published

2 months ago

August 21, 2026

Cross River State is one of Nigeria’s 36 states and is located in the South-South geopolitical zone. The state is widely known by its official slogan, “The People’s Paradise,” and its capital is Calabar.

Created on May 27, 1967, during the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon, Cross River is one of Nigeria’s older states. It is also known for its rich cultural heritage, tourism attractions, forests and diverse communities.

Key Facts About Cross River State

Category	Information
Capital	Calabar
Slogan	The People’s Paradise
Geopolitical Zone	South-South
Date Created	May 27, 1967
Created By	General Yakubu Gowon
Local Government Areas	18
Population	About 4,406,204
Land Area	20,156 km²
Governor	Bassey Edet Otu
State Government	Government of Cross River State

The population figure is based on a projection and may differ from figures obtained from other official population exercises.

Who Is the Governor of Cross River State?

The current governor of Cross River State is Bassey Edet Otu.

Otu became governor in 2023 after winning the governorship election and succeeding former Governor Ben Ayade.

Cross River State Senators

Cross River State has three senatorial districts represented in the National Assembly.

The senators listed for the state are:

Agom Jarigbe
Ekpeyong Asuquo
Williams Eteng Jonah

The state also has eight members representing its federal constituencies in the House of Representatives.

Local Government Areas in Cross River State

Cross River State has 18 local government areas (LGAs). Their administrative headquarters are:

No.	Local Government Area	Headquarters
1	Abi	Itigidi
2	Akamkpa	Akamkpa
3	Akpabuyo	Ikot Nakanda
4	Bakassi	Abana
5	Bekwarra	Abuochiche
6	Biase	Akpet Central
7	Boki	Boki
8	Calabar Municipal	Calabar
9	Calabar South	Calabar
10	Etung	Effraya
11	Ikom	Ikom
12	Obanliku	Sankwala
13	Obubra	Obubra
14	Obudu	Obudu
15	Odukpani	Odukpani
16	Ogoja	Ogoja
17	Yakurr	Ugep
18	Yala	Okpoma

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Cross River State?

The capital of Cross River State is Calabar.

What is the slogan of Cross River State?

The official slogan of Cross River State is “The People’s Paradise.”

When was Cross River State created?

Cross River State was created on May 27, 1967, during the administration of General Yakubu Gowon.

Which geopolitical zone is Cross River State in?

Cross River State is located in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone.

How many local government areas are in Cross River State?

Cross River State has 18 local government areas.

What is the population of Cross River State?

Cross River State has an estimated population of about 4,406,204 people, based on projections.

Who is the current governor of Cross River State?

The current governor of Cross River State is Bassey Edet Otu.

Why Cross River State Is Important

Cross River State occupies an important position in Nigeria’s South-South region and shares an international boundary with Cameroon. The state is particularly notable for its tourism potential, forests, wildlife and cultural festivals.

Calabar, the state capital, is also widely associated with the annual Calabar Carnival, which has become one of Nigeria’s major cultural and tourism events.

With its combination of natural attractions, cultural diversity and historical significance, Cross River remains one of Nigeria’s notable tourist destinations.