Niger State

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Niger
State
Minna.photowalk Tudun Fulani City Gate.jpg
Minna.photowalk Tunga Roundabout.jpg
Minna.photowalk AP Roundabout.jpg
Minna.photowalk Minna Central Mosque.jpg
St. Michaels Catholic Church Minna.jpg
Minna.photowalk Minna view 2.jpg
From top, left to right: Minna City gate (exit); Tunga roundabout; AP roundabout; Minna central mosque; St. Michael's Cathedral; landscape view of Minna city
Niger state flag.png
Flag
Niger State Emblem.png
Nicknames: 
The Power State
Nigeria - Niger.svg
Location of Niger State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 10°00′N6°00′E / 10.000°N 6.000°E / 10.000; 6.000
Country Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria
Date created 3 February 1976
Capital Minna
Government
 • BodyGovernment of Niger State
 •  Governor
(List)		 Mohammed Umar Bago (APC)
 • Deputy GovernorYakubu Garba (APC)
 • Legislature Niger State House of Assembly
 •  Senators E: Sani Musa (APC)
N: Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC)
S: Muhammad Bima Enagi (APC)
 •  Representatives List
Area
 • Total76,363 km2 (29,484 sq mi)
 • Rank 1st of 36
Population
 (2006) [1]
 • Total3,954,772
 • Estimate 
(2022)
6,783,300 [2]
 • Rank 9th of 36
 • Density52/km2 (130/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)
 • Year2021
 • Total$29.63 billion [3]
 • Per capita$4,496 [3]
Time zone UTC+01:00 (WAT)
postal code
920001
ISO 3166 code NG-NI
HDI (2022)0.523 [4]
low · 27th of 37
Website NigerState.gov.ng

Niger is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria. It is the largest state in the country by area. [5] [6] [7] The state capital is Minna. Other major cities are Bida, Kontagora and Suleja. [8] [9] Niger state was formed in 1976 when the then North-Western State was divided into Niger State and Sokoto State. [8] It is home state of two former Nigerian military heads of state— Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar. The Nupe,Gbagyi, Kamuku, Kambari, and Hausa form the majority of numerous indigenous tribes of Niger State, With Nupe been the largest and dominant tribe of the State. Other tribes in the state are Adara, Koro Gungawa, and Hun-Saare. Nupe people are the oldest tribe in Niger State, They are believed to have inhabited the areas their now identified with since time immemorial this have been dated 9,000B.C or 40,000 years ago, thus making them one of the world's oldest civilizations. [10]

Contents

The state is named after the River Niger. Two of Nigeria's major hydroelectric power stations, the Kainji Dam and Shiroro Dam, are located in Niger State, along with the new Zungeru Dam. [11] The Jebba Dam straddles the border of Niger state and Kwara state. The famous Gurara Falls is in Niger State, and Gurara Local Government Area is named after the Gurara River, on whose course the fall is situated. [12] Also situated there is Kainji National Park, the largest National Park of Nigeria, which contains Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve and the Zugurma Game Reserve. [13]

Government

Like most Nigerian states, Niger State is governed by a democratically-elected Governor, who is currently Mohammad Umar Bago. The governor works with the Niger State House of Assembly. [14] [9] The capital city is Minna. [15]

The state has three Senatorial Zones/Districts: Niger East, Niger North, Niger South. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]

Electoral system

The governor is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two -third of the State local government Areas. If no candidate passes threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government Areas. [24]

Local government

The state has 25 Local Government Areas, each headed by a local government chairman. They are divided into districts, each with a district head while villages are headed by village heads.

The local government areas are:

Education

Tertiary educational institutions in Niger state include:

Transport

Federal Highways are:

Two roads to Benin:

Other Major Roads include:

Railways:

the Western Line north from Lagos via Ibadan and Ilorin across the Niger River at Jebba by a 547 m bridge (1915) via Minna to Kaduna, with a branch line from Minna 155 km to the port of Baro on the Niger River, which is connected with Kano by the Northern Line.

Airports:

Natural resources

Niger State has abundant natural resources, including: [29]

Languages

Languages of Niger State listed by LGA: [31]

LGALanguages
Agaie Nupe; Dibo
Agwara Cishingini
BidaNupe; Hausa; BassaNge; Gbari
Borgu Busa; Bisã; Boko; Cishingini; Laru; Reshe
Chanchaga Basa-Gumna; Basa-Gurmana; Gbagyi; Gbari; Nupe; Kamuku; Tanjijili
EdatiNupe; BassaNge
BossoGbayi; Gwari
GbakoNupe
Gurara Gwandara; Gbagyi
KatchaNupe; Dibo; Kupa
KontagoraHausa; Acipa; Eastern; Asu; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi
LapaiNupe; Dibo; Gbagyi/Gbari; Gupa-Abawa; Kakanda; Kami;
MagamaDukkawa Lopa; Tsikimba; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi
Mariga Baangi; Bassa-Kontagora; Cicipu; Kamuku; Nupe; Rogo; Shama-Sambuga; Tsikimba; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi
MasheguAsu; Tsikimba; Tsishingini; Nupe-Tako
MinnaGbagyi; Gbari; Nupe
MokwaNupe; Hausa; Yoruba; Gbari
MunyaAdara
PaikoroGbagyi/Gbari; Kadara
RafiBasa-Gurmana; Bauchi; Cahungwarya; Fungwa; Gbagyi; Gbari; Kamuku; Pangu; Rogo; Shama-Sambuga
RijauDukkawa Fulani; C'Lela; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi; ut-Hun
ShiroroGbagyi
SulejaGbagyi; Gbari
TafaGbagyi
WushishiGbagyi; Gbari; Nupe

[31]

Geography

Climate

The state has very warm climate with a yearly average of 34° Celsius. It is warm or hot all year, but there are few typically tropical and sultry months, although humidity is sometimes uncomfortably high in June to September. The best time for traveling is from November to April, when there is less rain. The rainiest days occur in May to October. September has the rainiest days, and December the least. January is the sunniest month, and August the least sunny. [32]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kainji Dam</span> Dam in Niger, Nigeria

Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. Construction of the dam by Impregilo began in 1964 and was completed in 1968. Its total cost was estimated at US$209 million, with one-quarter of this amount used to resettle people displaced by the construction of the dam and its reservoir, the Kainji Lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bida</span> LGA in Niger state

Bida is a Local Government Area in Niger State, Nigeria and a city on the A124 highway which occupies most of the area.

Nupe is a Volta–Niger language of the Nupoid branch primarily spoken by the Nupe people of the North Central region of Nigeria. Its geographical distribution stretches and maintains preeminence in Niger State as well as Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory. Nupe is closely related to Kakanda in structure and vocabulary. There are at least two markedly different dialects of Nupe: Nupe central and Nupe Tako.

Zungeru is a town in Niger State, Nigeria. It was the capital of the British protectorate of Northern Nigeria from 1902 until 1916. It is the site of the Niger State Polytechnic and is located on the Kaduna River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jebba Hydroelectric Power Station</span> Power station in Nigeria

The Jebba Hydroelectric Power Station, also Jebba Power Station, is a hydroelectric power plant across the Niger River in Nigeria. It has a power generating capacity of 578.4 megawatts, enough to power over 364,000 homes. The plant was commissioned on 13 April 1985, although commercial energy production began in 1983.

Mokwa is a Local Government Area in Niger State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Mokwa on the A1 highway in the west of the area.

The Basa language, disambiguated as Basa-Benue, and also called Abacha, Abatsa, ru-Basa, Rubassa, is a Kainji language spoken in central Nigeria, in the vicinity of Bassa, Ankpa, Nasarawa, Gurara, Kwali and Makurdi. Blench (2008) notes that Basa-Makurdi, Basa-Gurara and Basa-Kwali are separate varieties from Basa-Kwomu or Basa-Komo of Bassa, Ankpa and Nasarawa Local Government Areas and other Bassa speakers are Bassa Nge (also known as Bassa Nupe.

The Kamuku are an ethnic group in central Nigeria. The Kamuku language belongs to the Kainji family and is related to C'lela, Duka, and Kambari. They mainly live in the west-central region of Nigeria, particularly in Kwara State. Their population in 1996 exceeded 35,000 people, found in the Sokoto division of Sokoto State, the Birnin Gwari division of Kaduna State and the Kontagora and Minna divisions of Niger State.

The Cinda-Regi language is a language complex of Nigeria belonging to the Kamuku branch of Kainji languages.

Ivara Ejemot Esu OFR, is a Nigerian politician, academic administrator and professor and is the former Deputy Governor of Cross River State. He hails from Agwagune in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. He holds the Nigerian National Honours Award in the rank of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) conferred on him by President Obasanjo in 2005 and the Cross River State Honours Merit Award conferred on him by Governor Donald Duke in 2004 for carrying out excellent management reforms at the University of Calabar. Esu has held many positions of responsibility such as Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar (2000–2005); Honourable Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation ; Member, Technical Committee on Privatization and Commercialization (TCPC), Presidency, Lagos (1990–1992); Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development Cross River State (1992–1993); Chairman Federal Medical Centre Board, Owerri (2009–2011) and chairman, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (2012–2015) and was an Elder Statesman Delegate at the 2014 National Conference of Nigeria. Esu is a Soil Scientist (Pedologist) who has taught in various tertiary institutions, some of which include; the Kaduna Polytechnic; Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, University of Calabar, University of Uyo and the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.

Alhaji Hassan Lemu, OON, was the private secretary of late Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, the Premier of Northern Nigeria.

Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Station is a 700 megawatts (940,000 hp) hydroelectric power plant under construction in Niger State, Nigeria. When completed, as expected, it will be the second-largest hydroelectric power station in the country, behind the 760 megawatts (1,020,000 hp) Kainji Hydroelectric Power Station.

Niger South senatorial district Also known as KinNupe or Nupe Kingdom is a electoral district for the Senate of Nigeria, and is Zone A within Niger State. Peter Jiya Ndalikali of the People democracy party (PDP) is the current senator. The Niger South senatorial district covers 8 local government areas which includes:

  1. Agaie local government area
  2. Bida local government area
  3. Edati local government area
  4. Gbako local government area
  5. Katcha local government area
  6. Lapai local government area
  7. Lavun local government area
  8. Mokwa local government area

The 2023 Niger State gubernatorial election will take place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Niger State, concurrent with elections to the Niger State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. The election—which was postponed from its original 11 March date—will be held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent APC Governor Abubakar Sani Bello is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.

The 2019 Nigerian House of Representatives elections in Niger State was held on February 23, 2019, to elect members of the House of Representatives to represent Niger State, Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Nigerian presidential election in Niger State</span>

The 2023 Nigerian presidential election in Niger State will be held on 25 February 2023 as part of the nationwide 2023 Nigerian presidential election to elect the president and vice president of Nigeria. Other federal elections, including elections to the House of Representatives and the Senate, will also be held on the same date while state elections will be held two weeks afterward on 11 March.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Niger State</span> 2023 Senate elections in Niger

The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Niger State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Niger State, one from each of the state's three senatorial districts. The elections will coincide with the 2023 presidential election, as well as other elections to the Senate and elections to the House of Representatives; with state elections being held two weeks later. Primaries were held between 4 April and 9 June 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "2006 PHC Priority Tables – NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION". population.gov.ng. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  2. ↑ "Niger State: Subdivision". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  3. 1 2 Okeowo, Gabriel; Fatoba, Iyanuoluwa, eds. (13 October 2022). "State of States 2022 Edition" (PDF). Budgit.org. BudgIT. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  5. ↑ "Safety and security - Nigeria travel advice". GOV.UK. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  6. ↑ "BTI 2022 Niger Country Report". BTI 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  7. ↑ "Nigeria at a glance | FAQ in Nigeria". www.fao.org. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  8. 1 2 Terhemba wuam, Muhammed Lawal Salahu (2014). Aspects of Niger state History: Essays in Honour of Professor Ibrahim Adamu Kolo.
  9. 1 2 A.B. Mamman, J.O. Oyebanji (2000). Nigeria: A people United, A Future Assured. Vol.2.
  10. ↑ Baba, J.M (1993). Niger state: Nigeria: Giant in the tropics, Vol.2: state survey.
  11. ↑ "Kainji, Jebba Shiroro Dams Underutilized Says Niger Government. – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  12. ↑ Niger state (1999). Niger state official diary, Ministry of Information. Minna.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  13. ↑ "Kainji Lake National Park". United Nations Environment Programme: World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  14. ↑ Oguntola, Tunde (27 September 2022). "2023: Next President, Govs Must Get Two-thirds Spread, Says INEC" . Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  15. ↑ "Niger State Local Government Areas". finelib.com. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  16. ↑ "Senate spokesman, Sabi, returns, as APC sweeps Niger NASS polls". The Sun Nigeria. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  17. ↑ Usman, Samson Atekojo (18 November 2019). "Senator Sabi defends hate speech bill, insists on death by hanging". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  18. ↑ "Elections may not hold in Niger east north". guardian.ng. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  19. ↑ Olasupo, Abisola (15 February 2019). "Elections may not hold in Niger East, North". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  20. ↑ "INEC issues certificate of return to Niger East senator-elect - Premium Times Nigeria". 9 September 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  21. ↑ "Breaking: Supreme Court sacks Niger East senator, announces his replacement -". The Eagle Online. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  22. ↑ Olowolagba, Fikayo (29 July 2019). "Supreme Court hands ruling on Senator Enagi's election". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  23. ↑ "Sabi, Bima, Declared Winners Of Niger North And South Senatorial Seats". Channels Television. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  24. ↑ Oguntola, Tunde (27 September 2022). "2023: Next President, Govs Must Get Two-thirds Spread, Says INEC" . Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  25. ↑ keetu (19 August 2017). "List of Accredited Courses Offered in Federal Polytechnic Bida (Fed Poly Bida)" . Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  26. ↑ "Updated List of Courses Offered In FUTMINNA forJAMB 2021 Registration". O3schools. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  27. ↑ Nwachukwu, John Owen (28 September 2023). "NUC approves upgrade of Niger State College of Education to university". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  28. ↑ keetu (15 September 2018). "List of Accredited Courses Offered in Poly Zungeru (Niger State Polytechnic Zungeru)" . Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  29. ↑ Ibeh, Royal (28 December 2022). "Baro Inland Port: Shippers Council Reopens Niger Area Office" . Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  30. ↑ vanguard (17 March 2017). "Crude oil deposits found in Bida basin in Niger State". Vanguard News. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  31. 1 2 "Nigeria". Ethnologue (22 ed.). Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  32. ↑ "Climate: Niger in Nigeria". Worlddata.info. Retrieved 3 December 2022.

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