Niger is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria and the largest state in the country.[4][5][6] Niger state has three political zones, zone A,B and C. The state's capital is at Minna. Other major cities are Bida, Kontagora and Suleja.[7][8] It was formed in 1976 when the then North-Western State was divided into Niger State and Sokoto State.[7] It is home to Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, two of Nigeria's former military rulers. The Nupe, Gbagyi, Kamuku, Kambari, Gungawa, Hun-Saare, Hausa and Koro form the majority of numerous indigenous tribes of Niger State.[9]

Niger
State
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;
Flag Seal
Nicknames:  The Power State
Location of Niger State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 10°00′N 6°00′E
Country	Nigeria
Date created	3 February 1976
Capital	Minna
Government
• Body	Government of Niger State
• Governor (List)	Abubakar Sani Bello (APC)
• Deputy Governor	Ahmed Muhammad Ketso (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
• Total	76,363 km2 (29,484 sq mi)
• Rank	1st of 36
Population  (2006)[1]
• Total	3,954,772
• Rank	18th of 36
• Density	52/km2 (130/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)
• Year	2007
• Total	$6.00 billion[2]
• Per capita	$1,480[2]
Time zone	UTC+01 (WAT)
postal code	920001
ISO 3166 code	NG-NI
HDI (2018)	0.482[3] low · 28th of 37
Website	nigerstate.gov.ng

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. 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.[10] 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.[11]

Government

Like the majority of Nigerian states, it is governed by a Governor and a state House of Assembly. Under the current administration of Abubakar Sani Bello. The state has 25 local government each headed by local government chairman which are also divided into districts, each again with its district head while Villages are headed by village head throughout the state.[8]

Local Government Areas

The state's capital is at Minna city.[12] Niger State has three (3) Senatorial Zones/Districts namely Niger East, Niger North, Niger South.[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Niger state has 25 local government areas which are:

1. Bosso Local Government Area
2. Chanchaga Local Government Area
3. Gurara Government Area
4. Munya Local Government Area
5. Paiko Local Government Area
6. Rafi Local Government Area
7. Shiroro Local Government Area
8. Suleja Local Government Area
9. Tafa Local Government Area
10. Agaie Local Government Area
11. Bida Local Government Area
12. Edatti Local Government Area
13. Gbako Local Government Area
14. Katcha Local Government Area
15. Lapai Local Government Area
16. Lavun Local Government Area
17. Mokwa Local Government Area
18. Agwara Local Government Area
19. Borgu Local Government Area
20. Kontagora Local Government Area
21. Magama Local Government Area
22. Mariga Local Government Area
23. Mashegu Local Government Area
24. Rijau Local Government Area
25. Wushishi Local Government Area

Education

Tertiary educational institutions in Niger state include:

• Federal Polytechnic, Bida[21]
• Federal University of Technology Minna[22]
• Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai
• Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru[23]

Languages

Languages of Niger State listed by LGA:[24]

Sorko and Zarma are also spoken.[24]

Gallery

• 
  Niger state secretariat
• 
  Mobil Junction
• 
  Bahago Roundabout
• 
  St. Michael Catholic Cathedral Minna
• 
  Welcome to Minna
• 
  An Inland valley rice production near Bida, Niger State

See also

• List of governors of Niger State
• Niger State Local Government Areas

Local Government Areas

Niger State consists of 25 local government areas. They are:

References

External links

Media related to Niger State at Wikimedia Commons

• Official portal
• News on Niger State

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