Ado, Benue

Last updated

Ado
LGA
Ado, Benue
Coordinates: 07°48′N07°39′E / 7.800°N 7.650°E / 7.800; 7.650 [1]
CountryFlag of Nigeria.svg Nigeria
State Benue State
HeadquartersIgumale
Government
  Local Government Chairman and the Head of the Local Government CouncilSunday Oche [2]
Area
  Total
383.0 sq mi (991.9 km2)
Population
 (2022) [3]
  Total
266,200
  Density700/sq mi (270/km2)
Time zone UTC+1 (WAT)
Ado, Benue

Ado is a Local Government Area of Benue State, in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria and was created in 1989. It is one of the 9 Local Government Areas in the southern senatorial zone of Benue State bordered by Cross River State to the south and Ebonyi State to the southeast. [4] [5] [6]

Contents

History and culture

Early contact with the Europeans

The area was one of the earliest in Idoma to have interactions with European missionaries. Hence it had the first missionary school in the Idoma area (Methodist High School, Igumale). The Catholic Missionaries first came to Utonkon in Ado in 1922 where they established the St. Paul's Catholic Church (Parish) in Utonkon. [6] The creation of Ado happened during the 1976 Local Government reforms in Nigeria. [4]

Cultural diversity

It is a culturally rich and diverse area comprising various communities, including:

Demographics and Geography

Occupants

It is primarily occupied by the Idoma and the Igede people of Benue State and the Igbo people. [4] [5] [6]

Administrative headquarters

The administrative headquarters are at Igumale, situated on the railway line traversing the north-south of Nigeria. [5]

Districts

Districts under the Ado Local Government Area of Benue State are five in number. They are:

  1. Agila
  2. Atonkon (Utonkon)
  3. Igumale
  4. Ijigban
  5. Ulayi [8] [9] [5]

Economy

Agricultural production

Yam Production: Ado is a major producer of yams.

Rice Production: Rice is another significant crop grown in the area.

Cassava Production: Cassava is cultivated widely for food and income.

Maize Production: Maize promotes local food security and economy.

Palm Oil Production: Palm oil is produced in large quantities.

There is also the existence of livestock rearing with fishing as a major occupation because of the water resources found in the area. [4] [5] [6]

Supporting Industries

Blacksmith Industry: Produces essential farm tools, including:

Economic and educational impact

The agricultural sector of this area contributes significantly to the local economy and food security in Benue State. Igumale in Ado is the location of the Benue State cement factory while Utonkon is the location of the defunct Apa State University. [6]

Natural resources

Mineral resources

The area contains minerals in commercial quantities such as:

Water Resources

Streams: Several streams support fishing and other activities, including:

Notable places

  1. Methodist High School, Igumale.
  2. St. Paul's Catholic Church:Established in Utonkon in 1922.

Notable people

See also

References

  1. "Ado". en.db-city.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  2. "Benu Estate". benuestate.gov.ng. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  3. "Benue State: Subdivision". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ado Local Government Area". onnigeria.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Ado Local Government". iambenue.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "History of Ado LGA Benue State". medianigeria.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  7. "streetview Nigeria Benue State Ado". geographic.org. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  8. "Ado LGA Postal Code". zipcode.com. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  9. "Ado LGA". idomaland.org. Retrieved 22 September 2025.