Niger State

Niger state is situated in the NorthCentral geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The capital of Niger state is Minna while other prominent towns include Suleja, Chanchaga, Kontagura and Lepai. Tribes found in Niger state include the Nupe, Kambari, Gbagyi, Dukaura, kamuku, Dukawa, Ura, Kanuri, Gwandara, Gade, Barba, Bassa, Baushi, Boko, Buduma, Dakarkari, Pulbe, Gurmana, Hausa, Koro, Kurama, Larawa, Lopa,Pongo, Reshe, Rubu, Yumu, Zabara and the Koro. Festivals held in Niger state include the Durbar and the Gani cultural festivals.

Niger state boasts an estimated population of 3,950,250 inhabitants spread over 25 Local government areas which include Agaie, Agwara, Bida, Borgu, Bosso, Chanchaga, Edati, Gbako, Gurara, Katcha, Kontagora, Lapai, Lavun, Magama, Mariga, Mashegu, Mokwa, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Rijau, Shiroro, Suleja, Tafa, and Wushishi. Islam is the predominant religious affiliation and the state has several landmarks which include the Gurara waterfalls and both the Kainji and Shiroro dams.

Popular cuisines in Niger state include the Ezowa soup popular among the Nupe inhabitants of the state. Tertiary institutions in Niger state include the Federal College of Education Kontagora, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger state College of Education, Niger state Polytechynic Zungeru, Center for Open distance and e-learning Minna, College of Legal and General studies Minna, College of Agriculture Mokwa, Federal College of wildlife Management New Bussa, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University Lapai, Institute of commercial and Secretarial studies Suleja, National Open University of Nigeria, and the Niger state College of Nursing Bida. Important landmarks in Niger state include the Kainji National Park, Ladi Kwali Pottery Center Suleja, Kainji Dam, Gurara waterfalls, Bina footprints, and the Lord Lugard Colonial Secretariat.  

NIGER STATE GOVERNOR

The Governor of Niger State is Abubakar Sani Bello.

NIGER STATE SLOGAN

The Power State

GEOGRAPHY OF NIGER STATE

Niger state boasts a total area of 76,363km squared and is the largest state in Nigeria by area. There are two distinct seasons in Niger state which are the rainy and dry seasons with average annual rainfall of 1100 mm.

The average temperature is 33 degrees centigrade while humidity is estimated at 32 percent. Niger state falls under the sudan savannah vegetation.

ECONOMY OF NIGER STATE

Agricultural and commercial activities are the bedrock of Niger state’s economic life. Crops cultivated in Niger state include grains, millet, sorghum and yam. Mineral resources found in Niger state include limestone, gold, gypsum, limestone, salt, silver, tin, uranium, Ball clay, kaolin, granite, glass sand, Iron ore, Feldspar, Graphite, Cyanite, Quartz, silica sand, Asbestos, Marble, Gemstone, and Talc 

Also, popular markets such as the IBB Market, Old Bida market, Labata market, New market Minna, Garatu Yam market Minna, Edati town Cattle market and the Madalla market are centers of trade which attract thousands of buyers and sellers whilst contributing immensely to the state's economic strength. 

HISTORY OF NIGER STATE

Niger state was created in 1976 following the disintegration of the then NorthWest state.Past governors of Niger state include

Murtala Nyako- 1976-1977

Ebitu Ukiwe- 1977-1978

Joseph Oni- 1978-1979

Awwal Ibrahim- 1979-1983

David Mark- 1984-1986

Garba Mohammed- 1986-1987

Lewan Gwadabe- 1987-1992

Musa Inuwa- 1992-1993

Cletus Emein- 1993-1996

Simeon Oduoye- 1996- 1998

Habibu Shiuaibu

Abdulkadir Kure- 1999-2007

Muazu Babangida Aliyu- 2007-2015

Abubakar Bello- 2015 to date.