The high-spin level structures of the 96,97 Nb isotopes have been studied. The isotopes were produced in the fission of the compound systems formed in two heavy-ion-induced reactions, 24 Mg (134.5 MeV) + 173 Yb and 23 Na (129 MeV) + 176 Yb. Gamma-ray spectroscopy was accomplished with the Gammasphere array. High-spin states are observed for the first time in both isotopes with excitation energies up to 5.2 and 6.6 MeV in 96,97 Nb, respectively. The coupling of the odd proton occupying the g 9/2 orbital to the yrast states in the subshell closure nucleus of 96 Zr can account for the first excited states of 97 Nb. A comparison with the first excited states in 95 Zr is also attempted. The addition of a neutron hole in 96 Nb results in a much more fragmented level scheme.