History of Niger State Nigeria
Niger State is situated in the north-central of Nigeria. Its capital is Minna. This State was formed out of defunct Northwestern in Nigeria in 1976 and became a full-fledged State. Niger State has twenty-five (25) local government areas, grouped under the three zones of the State and also there are three major ethnic groups. it might also interest you to know that our two former military rulers are from this Niger State, they are Abdulsami Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangada.
History of Niger State
Niger State was formed on 3rd February 1967.the old State was split into two by late General Murtala Muhammad reign in1976 and this brought about Sokoto and Niger State. The regions that makes up Niger State are Old Nupe and Kontogara Kingdos, Abuja now Suleja with the trace of famous Kingdom of Zauzau .
Niger State is well known as a “Power State” because there are three Hydro-Electric Stations, which are, Shirro Dam, Kainji and Jebba Power Stations.
Niger State shares boundaries with Kaduna and Plateau States (East &East-South), Sokoto State (North), Kwara State (East).
Ethnic Groups in Niger State
Niger State has three major ethnic groups which are; Nupe, Gwari and Hausa.
The groups includes the Koro, Kadara, Kambari, Pangu, Bassa, Bauchi, Kamuku, Fulani, Dukawa, Gade, Godara, Ganagana, Mauchi, Ayadi, Ingwai, Dibo, Kadanda, Gulengi, Abishiwa and Shigini.
Most of the groups are well developed and political Leaders or King or chief are appointed to rule.
The Nupe are located at Gboko, Lavun, Lapai, Agaie and areas of Mariga, while Gwari, Kadara and Koro stays at Suleja, Chanchaga and Shiroro. The Kambari and Kamuku are located at Margia, Magama and Rafi Local Government.
Niger State Map
Niger State Population 2019/2020
The national census board recorded Niger State a total number of =140,003,542 (2006)
Area-76,363km²
Local Government Areas in Niger State
Agale Bida Borgu Agwara Chanchaga
Bosso Lapai Edati Katcha Kontagora
Gbako Lavun Rafi Gurara Magama
Tafa Rijau Suleja Mokwa Mashegu
Muya Pailoro Shiroro Mariga Wushishi
Wards in Niger State
| LGAs | Wards |
| Bosso | Beji, Bosso central i, Bosso central ii, Chanchaga, Garatu, Gampala, Kodo, Kampala, Shata, Maikunkele, Maitumbi |
| Chanchaga | Limawa ‘a’, Limawa ‘b’, Makera, Minna Central, Minna South, Nassarawa ‘a’, Nassarawa ‘b’, Nassarawa ‘c’, Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada north, Tudun Wada south |
| Gurara | Bonu, Diko, Gawu, Izom, Kabo,Kwaka, Lambata, Lefu, Shako,Tufa |
| Paikoro | Adunu, Chimbi, Gwam, Ishau, Jere, Kafin Koro, Kwagana, Kwakuti, Nikuchi t/Mallam, Paiko central, Tutungo Jedna |
| Shiroro | Allawa, Bangajiya,Bassa /Kukoki,Egwa/Gwada, Erana, Galkogo, Gurmana, Gussoro, Kato, Pina, Manta, Kushaka /Kurebe, Manta, She, Ubadoma |
| Rafi | Kagara Gari, Kakuri, Kundu, Yakila, Kongoma central, Kongoma west, Kusherki North, Kusherk South, Sabon Gari, Tegina West, Tegina East |
| Suleja | Bagama ‘b’, Bagamama ‘a’, Iku South, Iku North, Hashimi ‘a’, Hashimi ‘b’, Kurmin Sarki, Magajiya, Maje north, Wambai |
| Munya | Beni, Dandaudu, Dangunu, Gina,Daza, Fuka, Guni, Kabula, Kazai, Kuchi, Sarkin Pawa |
| Tafa | Dogon Kurmi, Garam, Ija Gwari,Ija Koro, Iku, New Bwari, Wuse Easy, Wuse West, Zuma East, Zuma West |
| Agwara | Adehe, Agwata, Busuru, Gallah,Kashini, Kokoli, Mago, Papiri, Rofia, Suteku |
| Borgu | Babanna, Dugga, Kabe/Pissa, Karabonde, Konkoso, Malale,New Bussa, Riverine, Shagunu, Wawa |
| Kontagora | Arewa, Central, Gabas, kudu,Madara, Magajiya, Masuga,Rafin Gora ,Yamma, Nagwamatse, Tungan Kawo, Usalle Tunganwawa, |
| Mashegu | Babban Rami, Dapangi /Makera, Kaboji, Ibbi, Kasanga, Kulho,Kwatachi, Mashegu, Saho Rami, Mazakuka/Likoro |
| Wushishi | Akare, Barwa, Gwarjiko, Maito,Kanwuri, Kodo, Kwata, Maito,Lokogoma, Sabon Gari, Tukunji /Yamigi, Zungeru |
| Margia | Bangi, Beri, Bobi,Galma /Wamba, Gulbin Boka, Igwama, Inkwai, Kakihum, Kontokoro, Kumbashi, Maburya |
| Agaie | Baro, Boku, Dauaci, Ekossa, Ekobadeggi, Ekowugi, Ekowuna, Etsugale, Kutiriko,Magaji, Tagagi |
| Rijau | Danrangi, Dugge, Dukku, Genu, Jama’are, Rijau, Shambo, T/Bunu, T/Magajiya, Ushe, Warari |
| Bida | Bariki, Ceniyan, Dokodza, Kyari, Landzun, Masaba i, Masaba ii, Masaba iii, Mayaki Ndajiya, Nassarafu, Umaru Majigi ii, Umaru Majigi i, Wadata |
| Magama | Anna central, Anna East, Anna east central, Anna south, Anna South east, Ibelu central, Ibelu east , Ibelu North , Ibelu west, Nasko, Nassarawa |
| Gbako | Batagi, Batako, Edokota, Lemu, Edozhigi, Etsu Audu, Gbadafu, Gogata, Nuwankota, Sammajiko |
| Lapai | Arewa/Yamma, Birnin Maza/ Tashibo,Ebbo /Gbacinku, Evuti /Kapada, Gulu/Anguwa Vastsa, Gupa/Abugi, Gurdi/Zago, Kudu/ Gabas, Muye/ Egba, Takuti/Shaku |
| Lavun | Batai, Busu/Kuchi, Dabban, Doko, Dassun, Egbako, Gaba, Jima, Kusotachi, Kutigi, Lagun, Mambe |
| Edati | Enagi, Etsu Tasha, Fazhi, Guzan, Gazhe i, Gazhe ii, Gbangban, Gonagi, Rokota, Sakpe |
| Mokwa | Bokani, Gbajibo/Muwo, Gbara, Ja’agi, Jebba North, Kpaki/Takuma, Kudu, Labozhi, Mokwa, Muregi, Rabba/Ndayako |
| Katcha | Badeggi, Bakeko, Bisanti, Essa, Dzwafu, Edotsu, Gbakogi, Katcha , Kataregi, Sidi Saba |
Economy of Niger State
Niger State economy are majorly into Livestock, crops and minerals like Uranium (world largest deposit), Drought cycles, desert frication, limestone, glass stone, Chalk and copper. They export Uranium.
Senatorial District Zones in Niger State
The twenty-five Local Government Areas in Niger State are group into the three zones in the Table.
- Niger State East
- Niger State North
- Niger State South
| Zones | LGAs |
| Niger East | Paikoro, Bosso, Guara, Rafi, Shiroro, Tafa, Suleja, Chanchaga, Munya, |
| Niger North | Agwara, Borgu, Kontagora, Mariga, Rijau, Wushishi, Mashegu, Magama |
| Niger South | Agle, Bida, Katcha, Gbako, Lapai, Lavun, Edati, Mokwa |
The Government in Niger State
Niger State government is divided into three arms, namely;
The Executive Arm
This is headed by the elected governor of the State, assisted by those he appoints to work with Him in the State government. ABUBAKAR SANNI BELLO is the current governor of Niger State.
The Legislative Arm
They convene at Niger State House Assembly at Minna. This comprises of 30 members elected by the people of the 30 constituencies of Niger State. ABDULLAHI AHMED MARAFA is the speaker of the Niger State Assembly.
The Judicial Arm
This is headed by the chief judge of the State Justice MANA SANDA ZUKOGI is the current judge of Niger State.
Federal Constitutes in Niger State
- Agaie/Lapai
- Agwara/borgu
- Bida/gbako/Katcha
- Chanchaga
- Gurara/suleja/tafa
- Kontagora/wushishi/margia/Mashegu
- Lavun/mokwa/edatti
- Magama/rijau
- Shiroro/rafi/munya
Tourism-Interesting Places to Visit in Niger State
- Zuma Rock
- Gurara Falls
- Gurara LGA Natural/Physical
- Suleija Natural/Physical
- Kainji Lake National park Wildlife/Eco-Tourism
- Brass/Glass Works
- Bida Arts & Crafts/Souvenirs
- Shiroro Dam Tourist Resort Natural/Man-Made
- Mayanka Water Falls Natural
