INTRODUCTION

Niger is one of the six states plus the Federal Capital Territory that make up the North-Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It shares an international boundary with the Republic of Benin to the West and interstate boundaries with Kebbi and Zamfara States to the North, Kwara and Kogi States to the South, and Kaduna and the FCT to the East. The state capital is Minna.

LANDMASS, LOCATION AND POPULATION

Niger State covers an area of 76,363 square kilometres. It lies at latitude 10° 00' North and longitude 63° 00' East. It has a population of 3,954,772 (2006 census) 5,556,247 (2016 forecast) and a population density of 51. Niger State accounts for 2.8% of Nigeria’s total population.

HISTORY AND PEOPLE

The early settlers of Niger State were the Gwari people. The state is named after the River Niger which runs through it. Niger State was originally part of the Northern Region in the three-region structure of 1954. With the creation of twelve federal states by General Yakubu Gowon’s military government in 1967, it became part of North Western State. In 1976, the military government of General Murtala Muhammed created nineteen states out of the existing twelve and North Western State was divided into Sokoto and Niger States.
The main ethnic groups in Niger State are Gwari, Nupe and Hausa. There are thirty-eight languages in the state; of these, Gwari, Gbagyi, Hausa and Nupe are the major ones. Christianity and Islam are the main religions in Niger State, although there are pockets of traditional religion practitioners there.

MAIN TOWNS AND CITIES

Minna (capital) Bida, Kotangora, Lapai, Mokwa and Suleja.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

ADMINISTRATORS AND GOVERNORS

Murtala Nyako (Governor - Military): February 1976 - December 1977
Ebitu Ukiwe Governor - Military): December 1977 - July 1978
Joseph Oni (Governor - Military): July 1978 - October 1979
Awwal Ibrahim (Governor – Civilian (National Party of Nigeria - NPN)): October 1979 - December 1983
David Mark (Governor - Military): January 1984 - 1986
Garba Mohammed (Governor - Military): 1986 - December 1987
Lawan Gwadabe (Governor- Military): December 1987 - January 1992
Musa Inuwa (Governor - Civilian (National Republican Convention): January 1992 - November 1993
Cletus Emein (Administrator - Military): December 1993 - August 1996
Simeon Oduoye (Administrator - Military): August 1996 - Aug 1998
Habibu Shuaibu (Administrator - Military): August 1998 - May 1999
Abdulkadir Kure (Governor - Civilian (People's Democratic Party)): May 1999 - May 2007
Babangida Aliyu (Governor - Civilian (People’s Democratic Party): May 2007 - May 2015
Abubakar Sani Bello (Governor -– Civilian ( All Progressives Congress) May 2015- Present

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION

Agriculture is the backbone of Niger State's economy with more than 80% of the population depending directly or indirectly on it for their livelihood. Crops found in the state include guinea corn, millet, maize, rice, cowpeas, bambara nut, yam, cassava, potato, soya beans, shea nut, groundnut, cotton and kenaf. 
Natural and mineral resources in the state include talc, gold, silica, marble, copper, iron, lead, granite and limestone. The state is a key source of Nigeria’s hydroelectric power, with three dams located at Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro.
The tertiary institutions in the state include Federal University of Technology, Minna; Federal Polytechnic, Bida; Federal College of Education, Kontagora; and the State College of Education, Minna.

FAMOUS SITES AND CULTURE
Sites
Mayanka Waterfalls, Suleja
 

The waters of Mayanka Waterfalls on the outskirt of Suleja flow down to the River Iku. Its terrain is rocky and the name means ‘place of execution’ indicating that it’s the area where in pre-colonial times condemned persons were executed.

Kainji Lake National Park, Borgu

Kainji Lake National Park was established in 1978 and covers an area of about 5,341 square kilometres. It is one of the largest protected areas in the country and provides home to over 50 species of mammals, 350 bird species and 30 types of reptiles.
The park’s animal population include lions, tigers, elephants, African manatees, antelopes, hippopotamuses, African clawless otters, cheetahs and African wild dogs among many others.  The site where Mungo Park met his death in 1806 while exploring River Niger can be found here.

Bida Brass, Bida
 

Bida Brass was discovered during the reign of Etsu Nupe, Usman Zaki, in the 18th century. Since then the town has forged a reputation as home of beautiful brass, silver and metal products not only in the Nupe Kingdom but throughout Nigeria.

Culture
Nupe Cultural Day is a major festival in the Nupe community and takes place on June 26 every year. The festival commemorates the 26th of June 1896 when the British Army was defeated by an African Army. 

NOTABLE INDIGENES

Inuwa Wushishi (1940- 2021)

Haliru Dantoro (1938 - 2015)

 DID YOU KNOW

The construction of the Kainji Dam took 4 years to complete.