Creation of Benue-Plateau State

Military Head of State Yakubu Gowon's restructuring of Nigeria into twelve states created Benue-Plateau State, uniting Tiv-majority Benue Province with Plateau Province under Governor Joseph Gomwalk.

On 27 May 1967, as part of General Yakubu Gowon's declaration of a twelve-state federal structure (replacing Nigeria's four regions), Benue-Plateau State was created from the Northern Region's Benue and Plateau Provinces. Joseph Gomwalk served as its first governor (May 1967 – July 1975). The state was subsequently split into separate Benue and Plateau States on 3 February 1976.

Federal military government response to regional minority agitation (including sustained Tiv/UMBC demands) for autonomy from Hausa-Fulani-dominated Northern Region government.

Gave Tiv-majority Benue Province its first distinct state-level administrative existence, a precursor to the standalone Benue State created in 1976.