Bayelsa is one of the states in the South-South region of

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

, located in the core of the

Niger Delta The Niger Delta is the delta of the Niger River sitting directly on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria. It is located within nine coastal southern Nigerian states, which include: all six states from the South South geopolitic ...

region. Bayelsa State was created in 1996 and was carved out from

Rivers State Rivers State, also known as Rivers, is a state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed in 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include: Imo to the north, Abia and Akwa ...

, making it one of the newest states in the

federation A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government ( federalism). In a federation, the self-gover ...

. Yenagoa is the capital city of Bayelsa State with most parts to have fallen within the high-risk of floods, suspects to occur annually. It shares a boundary with

to the East and Delta State to the west, with the waters of the

Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the " Old World" of Africa, Europe ...

dominating its southern borders. It has a total area of 10, 773 km2. The state comprises eight Local

Government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government i ...

Areas. they are

Ekeremor Ekeremor is one of the eight local government areas (LGAs) in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. It borders Delta State and has a coastline of approximately 60 km on the Bight of Bonny. Its headquarters are in the town of Ekeremor in the northeast of t ...

Kolokuma/Opokuma Kolokuma/Opokuma is a Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Kaiama. Much of the area of the LGA is occupied by the Bayelsa National Forest. It has an area of 361 km and a population of 77,292 at ...

, Yenagoa,

Nembe Nembe is a Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Nembe in the east of the area at The people of Brass, Nembe and Southern Ijaw Councils of Bayelsa State have bemoaned their neglect by oil companies ...

Ogbia Ogbia is a Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Ogbia in the south of the area at . It has an area of 695 km and a population of 179,926. It is well known for its ...

Sagbama Sagbama is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, Southern part of Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Sagbama. Part of the area of the LGA lies within the Bayelsa National Forest. It has an area of 945 km and a population o ...

Brass Brass is an alloy of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in proportions which can be varied to achieve different mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. It is a substitutional alloy: atoms of the two constituents may replace each other wi ...

and Southern Ijaw. The state shares borders with Rivers State, of which it was formerly part, and Delta State.

Ijaw Ijaw may refer to: * Ijaw people *Ijaw languages The Izon languages (), otherwise known as the Ịjọ languages, are the languages spoken by the Izon people in southern Nigeria. Classification The Ijo languages were traditionally considered a ...

, language is widely spoken in Bayelsa State also Isoko and Urhobo speak within their ancestral towns in the state. It is also the ancestral home of the Urhobo people in the Sagbama local government area. The state is the smallest in Nigeria by

population Population typically refers to the number of people in a single area, whether it be a city or town, region, country, continent, or the world. Governments typically quantify the size of the resident population within their jurisdiction usi ...

of the 2006 census, as well as one of the smallest by

area Area is the quantity that expresses the extent of a region on the plane or on a curved surface. The area of a plane region or ''plane area'' refers to the area of a shape or planar lamina, while '' surface area'' refers to the area of an op ...

. Being in the

region, Bayelsa State has a

riverine A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. In some cases, a river flows into the ground and becomes dry at the end of its course without reaching another body of wate ...

and

estuarine An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and maritime environmen ...

setting, with bodies of water within the state preventing the development of significant road infrastructure. As a state in the oil-rich Niger Delta the Bayelsa State's economy is dominated by the

petroleum industry The petroleum industry, also known as the oil industry or the oil patch, includes the global processes of exploration, extraction, refining, transportation (often by oil tankers and pipelines), and marketing of petroleum products. The larg ...

. The state is the site of

Oloibiri Oilfield Oloibiri Oilfield is an onshore oilfield located in Oloibiri in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, about east of Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta. Oloibiri field is about and lies in a swamp within OML 29 Oloibiri Oilfield is named afte ...

, where oil was first discovered in

, and as of 2015 was estimated to produce 30-40% of the country's oil. The state

nicknamed A nickname is a substitute for the proper name of a familiar person, place or thing. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement, it can also be used to express defamation of character. As a concept, it is ...

“Glory of all Lands” has the largest gas reservoir (18 trillion cubic feet) in

. Though being the site of one of the largest

crude oil Petroleum, also known as crude oil, or simply oil, is a naturally occurring yellowish-black liquid mixture of mainly hydrocarbons, and is found in geological formations. The name ''petroleum'' covers both naturally occurring unprocessed crude ...

and

natural gas Natural gas (also called fossil gas or simply gas) is a naturally occurring mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons consisting primarily of methane in addition to various smaller amounts of other higher alkanes. Low levels of trace gases like carbon d ...

deposits in the country contributes to local

economic development In the economics study of the public sector, economic and social development is the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region, local community, or an individual are improved according to targeted goals and ...

, the state remains plagued by rampant poverty as well as

pollution Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Pollution can take the form of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or energy (such as radioactivity, heat, sound, or light). Pollutants, th ...

stemming from oil spills. Politics Douye Diri is the governor of Bayelsa State, while Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo the Deputy Governor of the State.

Location

Bayelsa is one of the states in southern part of Nigeria, located in the core of Niger Delta region. Bayelsa was carved out from Rivers state, making it one of the newest states in Federation. Bayelsa shares a boundary with Rivers state to the East and Delta state to the West, with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean dominating its Southern borders.

History

During the 20th century, demands for a new, majority-Ijaw state to be drawn in the

Region became common. Between 1941 and 1956, numerous Ijaw nationalist organizations supportive of an Ijaw-majority state in Southern Nigeria were founded.

Isaac Adaka Boro Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro (10 September 1938 – 9 May 1968), fondly called "Boro", was a Nigerian nationalist, Ijaw, and soldier. He was one of the pioneers of minority rights activism in Nigeria. He was many parts and different things t ...

, a prominent Ijaw rights activist during the 1960's who was born in

Oloibiri Oloibiri is a small community in Ogbia LGA located in Bayelsa State, in the eastern Niger Delta region of Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal ...

, attempted to proclaim a "Niger Delta Peoples Republic" in 1966. Bayelsa State was created out of Rivers State on October 1, 1996 by the

Sani Abacha Sani Abacha (20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998) was a Nigerian military officer and politician who ruled as the military head of state of Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998. He seized power on 17 November 1993 in the last successful ...

's military government. Its name was derived from the first few letters of the names of the major local government areas from which it was formed:

LGA (BALGA), Yenagoa LGA (YELGA) and Sagbama LGA (SALGA). On November 20, 1999, the Nigerian military committed what is now referred to as the

Odi massacre The Odi massacre was an attack carried out on November 20, 1999, by the Nigerian military on the predominantly Ijaw town of Odi in Bayelsa State. The attack came in the context of an ongoing conflict in the Niger Delta over indigenous rights to ...

. The death toll remains disputed to this day, though Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action, claims that nearly 2500

civilian Civilians under international humanitarian law are "persons who are not members of the armed forces" and they are not " combatants if they carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war". It is slightly different from a non-combatant ...

s were killed. In response to

environmental degradation Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as quality of air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems; habitat destruction; the extinction of wildlife; and pollution. It is defin ...

in the state caused by the

oil industry The petroleum industry, also known as the oil industry or the oil patch, includes the global processes of exploration, extraction, refining, transportation (often by oil tankers and pipelines), and marketing of petroleum products. The larges ...

, movements such as the "Rise for Bayelsa" campaign have emerged to push for protecting the local water supply. In 2019, the Bayelsa State government launched the first formal inquiry into the crisis of oil pollution in the state.

Economy

Bayelsa State has one of the largest

and

deposits in Nigeria. As a result,

petroleum Petroleum, also known as crude oil, or simply oil, is a naturally occurring yellowish-black liquid mixture of mainly hydrocarbons, and is found in geological formations. The name ''petroleum'' covers both naturally occurring unprocessed crud ...

production is substantial in the state. Even though Bayelsa State is well-endowed with natural resources, the state "enjoys very minimal dividends from its oil wealth due to the structural inequities in the national revenue allocation system in the practice of

fiscal federalism As a subfield of public economics, fiscal federalism is concerned with "understanding which functions and instruments are best centralized and which are best placed in the sphere of decentralized levels of government" (Oates, 1999). In other words ...

in the country".

Geography

Bayelsa has a riverine and estuarine setting. Many communities are almost (and in some cases) surrounded by water, making them inaccessible by road. The state is home to the

Edumanom Forest Reserve The Edumanom Forest Reserve is an area in the Niger Delta region of South East Nigeria, that is home to some of the last chimpanzees in Nigeria. It covers part of the old Nembe Kingdom, which is now divided into the Nembe and Brass local government ...

, in June 2008 the last known site for chimpanzees in the Niger Delta. Other important cities besides Yenagoa include

Akassa Akassa is a settlement at the southernmost tip of Nigeria in Bayelsa State where the Nun River estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean. It has a lighthouse that has stood since 1910. The proximity of Akassa to the Atlantic has made it a traditional ...

Lobia The black-eyed pea or black-eyed bean is a legume grown around the world for its medium-sized, edible bean. It is a subspecies of the cowpea, an Old World plant domesticated in Africa, and is sometimes simply called a cowpea. The common commer ...

, Amassoma (the home of the Niger Delta University), Eniwari,

, Aliebiri, Peretoru,

Twon-Brass Twon-Brass, previously known simply as Brass or Brasstown, is a community on Brass Island in the Nun River estuary of Southern Bayelsa State, Nigeria, in the Brass Local Government Area. The royal Chief is Alfred Diete-Spiff. The town is on ...

, Egwema-Brass, Kaiama,

, Odi,

, Okpoama,

, Oporoma, Korokorosei, Otuan, Koroama, Okolobiri, Obunagha, Ogboloma,

, Olugbobiri, Peremabiri, Ekowe, and Swali. The Akassa Lighthouse has stood since 1910.

Languages

The main language spoken is

with dialects such as Kolokuma,

, Epie-Atissa, and

. Like the rest of Nigeria,

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...

is the

official language An official language is a language given supreme status in a particular country, state, or other jurisdiction. Typically the term "official language" does not refer to the language used by a people or country, but by its government (e.g. judiciary, ...

. Languages of Bayelsa State listed by LGA: Izon-tubos

Environmental Issues

Soot pollution

This is a black hazardous

carbonate A carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid (H2CO3), characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, a polyatomic ion with the formula . The word ''carbonate'' may also refer to a carbonate ester, an organic compound containing the carbonate ...

substance that pollute the area due to its illegal burning of crude oil(locally called Kpo-fire). This

carcinogenic A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that promotes carcinogenesis (the formation of cancer). This may be due to the ability to damage the genome or to the disruption of cellular metabolic processes. Several radioactive sub ...

chemical causes illnesses such as

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma (since about 98–99% of all lung cancers are carcinomas), is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. Lung carcinomas derive from transformed, mali ...

, skin irritation,

allergies Allergies, also known as allergic diseases, refer a number of conditions caused by the hypersensitivity of the immune system to typically harmless substances in the environment. These diseases include hay fever, food allergies, atopic dermat ...

, respiratory tract infections, eye problem etc. Its effect is also meted on the environment as it causes

air pollution Air pollution is the contamination of air due to the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials. There are many different type ...

soil pollution Soil contamination, soil pollution, or land pollution as a part of land degradation is caused by the presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment. It is typically caused by industrial activit ...

water pollution Water pollution (or aquatic pollution) is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities, so that it negatively affects its uses. Water bodies include lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, reservoirs and groundwater. ...

which has led to the death of both plants, humans and animals.

Flooding

This is a common annual problem in Bayelsa because it is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The rise of sea water is the major cause. The flooding has affected many communities, properties and human lives. Almost all areas in Bayelsa state are affected by flooding but

, Southern Ijaw,

and Yenagoa areas of Bayelsa state are more prone to flooding as it affects these areas yearly. Poor town planning is another major causes of flooding in Bayelsa State. As of August 2022 the state was stricken with flood, resulting to the displacement of over 1.3 million people destroying live stocks and properties.

Oil spillage

This is one of the major environmental issue in Bayelsa State due to the activities of major oil companies. Oil spillage has affected farmlands, aquatic life and the health of the people. Almost everyday, Udengs Eradiri is informed of another oil spill in Bayelsa state, in the Niger Delta. He said Bayelsa used to be green, you could go to farm or fish and have a very impressive harvest. You would spend just some hours in the water and you have a handful of fish. Today, he added, you can spend the whole day without catching a glimpse of a fish. Another major environmental issue in Bayelsa state is air pollution(SOOT). Today, many people in Bayelsa state lament that they cannot breathe due to the exposure of emissions of soot, a hazardous black amorphous carbon that has almost completely polluted the air in the areas. However, stakeholders in the affected areas had in 2018 reportedly initiated a campaign with the common refrain; "Save Rivers from this soot of death", in the

Rivers state Rivers State, also known as Rivers, is a state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed in 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include: Imo to the north, Abia and Akwa ...

region.

Notable people

* Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, was a former Nigerian politician and Governor of Bayelsa State *

Diezani Alison-Madueke Diezani K. Alison-Madueke (born 6 December 1960) is a Nigerian politician and the first female President of OPEC. She was elected at the 166th OPEC Ordinary meeting in Vienna on 27 November 2014. She became Nigeria's minister of transportation o ...

, Minister of Solid Minerals, Transport and Petroleum resources *

MC Aproko Gift Loveday Igbomgbo, known professionally as MC Aproko, is a Nigerian stand-up comedian. He is the winner of Next Naija Comedy Star and currently the special assistant on entertainment to the governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, since 24 Dec ...

, stand-up comedian *

Owoye Andrew Azazi Owoye Andrew Azazi (1 February 1952 – 15 December 2012) was a Nigerian army general who served as National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, was Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Be ...

, Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria), Chief of Defense Staff under President

Olusegun Obasanjo Chief Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu Obasanjo, , ( ; yo, Olúṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́ ; born 5 March 1937) is a Nigerian political and military leader who served as Nigeria's head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as its presid ...

and National Security Adviser under President

Goodluck Jonathan Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (born 20 November 1957)Lawson Heyford, ''The Source'' (Lagos), 11 December 2006. is a Nigerian politician who served as the President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015. He lost the 2015 presidential election to fo ...

. * Noah Sarenren Bazee a professional footballer who plays for

Bundesliga The Bundesliga (; ), sometimes referred to as the Fußball-Bundesliga () or 1. Bundesliga (), is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of the German football league system, the Bundesliga is Germany's primary footb ...

side

Hannover 96 Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96 (), Hannover, HSV or simply 96, is a German professional football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony. They played in the Bundesliga for a total of 30 years betw ...

. *

, Nigerian Civil War hero (Nigerian Army) *

Timi Dakolo Timi Dakolo (born January 20, 1981) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He emerged winner of the inaugural season of ''Idols West Africa'' in 2007. Accompanying his victory was a recording contract with Sony BMG, in addition to ...

, musical artist * Edmund Daukoru, Nigerian Minister of State for Energy and was Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in 2006, HRM *

Henry Seriake Dickson Henry Seriake Dickson (born 28 January 1966) is a Nigerian politician and a Lawyer. He is the Senator representing Bayelsa - West in the 9th National Assembly. He was the Governor of Bayelsa State in southern Nigeria from 14 February 2012 to 14 ...

, former governor and politician * Alfred Diete-Spiff, former governor of Rivers State, HRM *Senator

Douye Diri Douye Diri (born 4 June 1959) is a Nigerian politician and Governor of Bayelsa State. He was the senator representing Bayelsa Central senatorial district of Bayelsa state at the Nigerian 9th National Assembly. Early life Douye Diri began his ...

is a businessman, politician and lawmaker. He is the current governor of Bayelsa State. * Tamara Eteimo also known by her stage name Tamara from Angiama, Southern Ijaw local government of Bayelsa state. She is a Nigerian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. *

Dan Etete Dan Etete (born 26 January 1945) aka Chief Dauzia Loya Etete, was the former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum (1995–1998), under the regime of Gen. Sani Abacha's 1995 and was convicted as a money-launderer in the year 2007. Biography Dan Etet ...

Minister Minister Petroleum resources *

Finidi George George Finidi (born 15 April 1971), known as Finidi George, is a Nigerian professional football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League club Enyimba F.C. As a player, he played as a rig ...

, Super Eagles player * Daniel Igali,

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

Olympic gold medalist and world wrestling champion *

Ernest Ikoli Ernest Sissei Ikoli (1893–1960) was a Nigerian politician, nationalist and pioneering journalist; he was the first editor of the Daily Times. He was the president of the Nigerian Youth Movement and in 1942, represented Lagos in the Legislative ...

, journalist and pre-independence freedom fighter *

, former President of Nigeria * Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Agriculture *Senator

Ben Murray-Bruce Benedict Murray-Bruce (born 18 February 1956) is a Nigerian business magnate and politician. He is the founder of Silverbird Group. A member of the People's Democratic Party, he was elected to the Senate of Nigeria in March 2015 where he re ...

represents Bayelsa East Senatorial District at the National Assembly. From Akassa in Bayelsa State of Nigeria. *

Ebikibina Ogborodi Ebikibina John Ogborodi is currently the acting registrar of National Examination Council, NECO, since 3 June 2021 until July 2021. Early life and education Ebikibina John Ogborodi is a native of Sagbama, Bayelsa State. In 1986, he graduated ...

, acting registrar of NECO * Gabriel Okara, novelist and poet * Melford Okilo, governor of Rivers State * Kemebradikumo Pondei, acting managing director of

Niger Delta Development Commission The Niger Delta Development Commission is a federal government agency established by Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo in the year 2000 with the sole mandate of developing the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In September 2008, Presid ...

* Ebinabo Potts-Johnson was born in Bayelsa state, she is a model and actress. * Samson Siasia, Super Eagles player and Coach *

Timipre Sylva Timipre Marlin Sylva (born 7 July 1964) is a Nigerian politician, he is a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, and the current Nigeria Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. Early life and background Sylva was born in Brass, Bayel ...

, former governor of Bayelsa state, current Nigeria Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. *

Timaya Inetimi Timaya Odon (born 15 August 1980), better known by his stage name Timaya, is a multiple award-winning Nigerian singer and songwriter. He hails from Odi, Bayelsa state, South-South Nigeria. He is fondly called the Egberi Papa 1 of Bayels ...

, musical artist *

Patience Torlowei Patience Torlowei (born 24 July 1964) is a Nigerian fashion designer. She is the creator of the "Esther Dress", the first piece of couture ever to join the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art's permanent collection. Early l ...

, fashion designer and artist

Diaspora

Due to massive overseas scholarship programs implemented by the old

in the 1970s and recent Bayelsa State governments, large numbers of Bayelsan professionals reside in

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...

and

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and th ...

. This is part of the general brain-drain trend affecting many African communities.

Education

The major tertiary institutions in Bayelsa state are: * Niger Delta University * Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education * College of Health Sciences * School of Nursing * Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science *

Bayelsa Medical University Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) is located in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in Nigeria. Faculties * Faculty of Clinical Sciences * Faculty of Health Sciences * Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences * Faculty of Sciences Faculty of Clinical Sciences ...

University of Africa Africa University is a "private, Pan-African and United Methodist-related institution." It has over 1,200 students from 36 African countries. It is located 17 km northwest of Mutare, Zimbabwe. It grants bachelor's, master's and PhD degre ...

* Federal Polytechnic Ekeowe * International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality * Federal University Otuoke

Local Government Areas

Bayelsa State consists of eight local government areas: *

* Southern Ijaw * Yenagoa

References

External links

Bayelsa State Government HomepageBayelsa State at OnlineNigeria.comExperience Bayelsa Arts and Culture / Visitors GuideBayelsa Council for Arts & CultureAdaka Boro Centre

Azaiki Public Library, Yenagoa
{{Portal bar, Nigeria States of Nigeria States and territories established in 1996 1996 establishments in Nigeria