Minna Wetlesen 1891

Minna is a city in Middle Belt Nigeria. It is the capital city of Niger State, one of Nigeria's 36 federal states. It consists of two major ethnic groups: the Gbagyi and the Nupe.

History

Archaeological evidence suggests settlement in the area dates back to about 47,000–37,000 years ago. Muslim culture filtered into Minna by way of the ancient Saharan trade routes much later, and the city contains many mosques including Minna Central Mosque and Muslim organizations like the Islamic Education Trust, Minna, Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria - Minna Area Council (MSSN-MNAC), Da'watu-Ilallahi-Wa-Rasulihi Association (DAWRA), etc. Sharia law is practiced. Christianity is the second major population in Niger State, and institutions include a Faith Church, a Grace Baptist Church, Nupe Kalvari Churches, Anglican Churches, ECWA Churches, Baptist Churches, Victory Christian Church, the Apostolic Christian Church, Apostolic Church and many others.

Minna is the home state of Nigeria's former military President Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Ibrahim B. Babangida, and of former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu was the former governor of Niger State, serving the maximum term of eight years (2007–2015).

Abubakar Sani Bello is the present governor of Niger state who took over from the opposition party ruling candidate of the People's Democratic Party (Nigeria), Peoples Democratic Party candidate Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, serving his second term in office.

Climate

Minna has a typical Middle Belt tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification, Köppen ''Aw'') with two seasons: an arid, dusty, harmattan-dominate dry season from November to April and a humid, oppressive wet season dominated by monsoonal air masses from May to October. Temperatures are hot to sweltering year round, except at the height of the wet season when air temperatures are merely very warm but the high humidity makes it equally or more uncomfortable than the hotter dry season.

Economy

Cotton, guinea corn (sorghum), Maize and ginger are the main agricultural products of the city. Yam is also extensively cultivated throughout the city. The economy also supports cattle trading, brewing, shea nut processing and gold mining. There are also FMCGs such as PZ Cussons that deal in toilet soaps, baby products, medicaments and so on.

Traditional industries and crafts in Minna include leather work and metalworking.

Transport

Minna is connected to neighbouring cities by road. Abuja, the capital of the country, is only 150 km away. Minna is also connected by Rail transport in Nigeria, railroad to both Kano (city), Kano in the north and Ibadan and Lagos in the south. The city is served by Minna Airport.

Education and Health

Minna has many educational institutions, including: Fati Lami Abubakar Institute for Legal and Administrative Studies, The Federal University of Technology, Minna, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger state school of health, Niger state school of nursing and Midwifery, Niger state university of Education among others. With many high schools as Father O'Connell Science College, Minna, D.S.S Limawa, Kowa Schools, El-Bethel Academy, Jocis Schools, Hilltop Model School, Mypa schools, Himma international school, Police secondary school, El-Amin International School, FOMWAN Schools, The New Horizon College Minna, New Horizon College, Divine Excellence International Schools and Brighter International Schools, among many others. The above-mentioned schools are the pioneering high schools in Minna. Minna has many primary health clinics with the General Hospital, Minna serving as the general health care.

Universities

* Federal University of Technology, Minna, Federal University of Technology Minna
* Niger State College of Education
* School of Nursing and Midwifery
* New Gate Science and Technology
* Niger State Polytechnic
* The Federal Polytechnic Bida

Climate

Gallery

File:Minna.photowalk Rounabout 18.jpg
File:Minna.photowalk Street 06.jpg
File:Welcome to Minna DJI 0968.jpg
File:Niger state government house 2.jpg
File:Minna Roads 4.jpg
File:State secretariat Minna DJI 0957.jpg, Niger state Secretariat

See also

* Railway stations in Nigeria
* Minna Airport

References

{{NigerNG-geo-stub
State capitals in Nigeria
Populated places in Niger State