Niger State
Niger is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria and the largest state in the country by area. 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. It was formed in 1976 when the then North-Western State was divided into Niger State and Sokoto State. 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.
Niger | |
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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 | |
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| Nicknames: | |
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) | Mohammed Umar Bago (APC) |
| • Deputy Governor | Yakubu 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 | |
| • Total | 76,363 km2 (29,484 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 1st of 36 |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 3,954,772 |
| • Estimate (2022) | 6,783,300 |
| • Rank | 9th of 36 |
| • Density | 52/km2 (130/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| • Year | 2021 |
| • Total | $29.63 billion |
| • Per capita | $4,496 |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (WAT) |
| postal code | 920001 |
| ISO 3166 code | NG-NI |
| HDI (2018) | 0.482 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. 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.