Niger State, Nigeria

Niger is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria and the largest state in the country. 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.

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.

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.

Local Government Areas

The state's capital is at Minna city. Niger State has three (3) Senatorial Zones/Districts namely Niger East, Niger North, Niger South. Niger state has 25 local government areas which are:

# Bosso Local Government Area
# Chanchaga Local Government Area
# Gurara Government Area
# Munya Local Government Area
# Paiko Local Government Area
# Rafi Local Government Area
# Shiroro Local Government Area
# Suleja Local Government Area
# Tafa Local Government Area
# Agaie Local Government Area
# Bida Local Government Area
# Edatti Local Government Area
# Gbako Local Government Area
# Katcha Local Government Area
# Lapai Local Government Area
# Lavun Local Government Area
# Mokwa Local Government Area
# Agwara Local Government Area
#Borgu Local Government Area
# Kontagora Local Government Area
# Magama Local Government Area
# Mariga Local Government Area
# Mashegu Local Government Area
# Rijau Local Government Area
# Wushishi Local Government Area

Education

Tertiary educational institutions in Niger state include:

* Federal Polytechnic, Bida
* Federal University of Technology Minna
* Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai
* Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru

Languages

Languages of Niger State listed by LGA:

Climate

There is very warm climate with a yearly average of 34 degrees, but has few truly tropical and sultry months. It is yearlong warm or hot. Dued to the lesser rain the best time for traveling is from November to April. Sometimes humidity is unfriendlyly high from June to September. The most rainy days occur from the month of May to October.
January is the sunniest month in the state of Niger. In August the sun shines the shortest.
September offers the most number of rainy days, and in December the least.

Gallery

File:State secretariat Minna DJI 0957.jpg, Niger state secretariat
File:Mobil Roundabout Minna.jpg, Mobil Junction
File:Drone shot of Bahago roundabout Minna.jpg, Bahago Roundabout
File:St. Michaels Catholic Church Minna.jpg, St. Michael Catholic Cathedral Minna
File:City gate 6 Minna DJI 0944.jpg, Welcome to Minna
File:Inland valley rice production near Bida, Niger State, Nigeria - panoramio (1).jpg, 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:

*Agaie
*Agwara
* Bida
* Borgu
* Bosso
*Chanchaga
* Edati
* Gbako
* Gurara
* Katcha
* Kontagora
*Lapai
*Lavun
*Magama
* Mariga
* Mashegu
*Mokwa
* Munya
* Paikoro
* Rafi
*Rijau
* Shiroro
*Suleja
*Tafa
*Wushishi

References

External links

Official portal

News on Niger State

{{Portal bar, Nigeria

States of Nigeria
States and territories established in 1976