FACT SHEET

Capital                         Minna

Area                            76,363 square km (29,484 square miles)

Population                    4,082.558 (2005 estimate)

Languages                    English (Official), Hausa

ISO-3166-2                   NG-NI

Date Created                 3 February 1976

Size Rank                     Ranked 1st

Population Rank            Ranked 18th

Governor                      Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu

Niger State was created on the 3^rd February, 1976 out of the then North-Western state during the regime of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed; the state formerly began to function on April 1^st of that year, with eight local government councils (L G As) namely: Chanchaga, Rafi, Gbako, Etswan, Suleja, Mariga, Magama and Lavun. Etswan Local Government was later divided into two (Agaie and Lapai LGAs).

Between 1979 and 1983 during the second republic, when Mallam Muhammadu Awwal Ibrahim was the Executive Governor of the State, eighteen LGAs were created:  Kuta, Paikoro, Chanchaga, Rafi, Gbako, Katcha, Lemu, Lapai, Agaie, Suleja, Mariga, Bangi, Magama, Auna, Lavun, Mokwa and Jima-Doko. But when the military came into power in 1984, it was reverted to the original eight LGA structure. However, Chanchaga was split into two-Minna Municipal council, with Minna as headquarters while Kuta remained the headquarters of Shiroro LGA, the former name of Chanchaga LGA. 

The LGAs in Niger State became Nineteen (19) in 1991 when President Ibrahim Babangida created Nine (9) States and additional LGAs in Nigeria. By 1996 when Late General Sani Abacha created six (6) additional states and 182 LGAs in the entire country, Niger State got additional six (6) LGAs, namely, Katcha, Munya, Mashegu, Edati, Tafa and Mariga bringing the total to 25 LGAs. 

In the year 2002, the Civilian administration of Engr. Abdulkadir A. Kure responded to the clarion call of the people for the creation of additional local government areas. To this end, additional 17 new local government areas were created out of the existing ones; bringing the total number of local governments to 42. 

However, because this was not gazetted by the National Assembly as enshrined in the constitution, the new LGAs were dissolved and converted to Area Development Councils. Thus, the status-quo of 25 LGAs was maintained.

 

LOCATION

The State lies on the 3.20° East and longitude 11.30° North. Kaduna State and FCT are her borders to the North-East and South-East respectively; Zamfara State borders the North, Kebbi State in the West, Kogi State in the South and Kwara State in the South West, while the republic of Benin along Agwara LGA boarders her North West.

 

LAND MASS

As at 26th August 1991 (before the emergence of Borgu and Agwara LGAs) the state covered a land area of 74,244 square kilometres, which is 8% of the total land area of Nigeria. With the merger, the land mass is about 10% of the total land area that is about 85% of the arable land.

 

POPULATION

As at 1961, the population of Niger State was 1,194,508. The 1991 population figure indicates Niger State as provisionally containing 2,421,581 people. The 2006 population figure is 3,950,249. 

 

SOIL

The soil types in Niger State are two: Ku soil and Ya soil. The Ku soil has little erosion hazards, while the Ya soil has better water holding capacity.

 

OCCUPATION

The majority of the populace in the State (85%) are farmers while others constituting (15%) are involved in vocations such as white collar jobs, business, craft and arts.

 

RELIGION

Predominantly, the people are Muslims and Christians while others practice traditional religion.

 

TRIBES AND ETHNIC DIVISIONS

Though there are three most pronounced ethnic groups (Nupe, Gbagyi and Hausa), there are many other groups living happily with one another Kadara, Koro, Barab, Kakanda, GanaGana, Dibo, Kambari, Kamuku, Pangu, Dukawa, Gwada and Ingwai. Tribes like Igbo, Yoruba and numerous others from other States also settle in Niger State.

 

ECONOMY

Niger State possesses fertile land as a cherished asset and the potentials are yet to be fully explored. The even climate, rich annual rainfall and availability of wide variety of mineral and agricultural resources all attest to the economic potential of the state. Every government that has come to power endeavored to provide good infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water and communication facilities, to make way for interested investors. Some natural and mineral resources found in the state include Talc, Gold, Ball clays, Silica, Sand, Marble, Copper, Iron, Felsper, Lead, Kaolin, Cassetrite, Columbite, Mica, Quartzite and Limestone. Evidence also abounds as to the availability of sources of power i.e. the three hydro-electricity power stations situated at Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro.

 

TOURISM

Niger State is one of the richest in the country in terms of tourism. Some of the attractions are Zuma Rock, Gurara falls, Baro Empire Hill, Lord Lugard Colonial ruins at Zungeru and Nagwamaste well. One of the prominent festivals is the Gani Festival, while the Kainji Lake National Park is one of the best in Nigeria.

 

EDUCATION

Niger State has over 1,165 primary schools, 250 secondary schools and a number of vocational training centers. There are also about 15 tertiary institutions which include Federal College of Education, Kontagora, the Federal Polytechnic at Bida and the Federal University of Technology at Minna. Others include the state owned Technical Teachers Training Colleges, State College of Education at Minna, etc.

 

CLIMATE

Niger State experiences distinct dry and wet seasons with annual rain fall varying from 1,100mm in the northern part to 1,600mm in the southern parts. The maximum temperature (usually not more than 94⁰c) is recorded between March and June, while the Minimum is usually between December and January. The rainy seasons last for about 150 days in the northern parts to about 120 days in the southern parts of the State. Generally, the fertile soil and hydrology of the State permit the cultivation of most of Nigeria’s staple crops and still allows sufficient opportunities for grazing, fresh water fishing and forestry development.

 

INDUSTRIALIZATION

The government of Niger State is aware that the true development of any nation depends on her level of industrialization. For this reason concerted efforts have been made to ensure rapid industrialization. Being largely an agrarian State, Niger can support a large variety of agro allied industries. Also, the State has a lot of mineral resources that can serve as basis for many other industries; such resources include Gold, clay, silica, Sand, Kyanite, Marble, Copper, Iron, Feldsper, Leads, Columbite, Kaolin and Tantalite. In order to induce industrialists to invest heavily in tapping these resources, government has put in place many incentives such as provision of well-serviced industrial layout, guaranteed accelerated processing of application for industrial plot and even financial assistance in form of loans and equity participation by the government in certain cases. Other facilities like telecommunication, postal services etc, are adequately provided in the State for effective business contacts. The State has international airport and is well linked to all parts of Nigeria by road and rail.

 

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Niger State is the acclaimed “Power House” of the nation because it houses three Hydro-Electric power stations. They are Shiroro hydro-electric power station commissioned in June 1990 by President Ibrahim Babangida with initial capacity of 600mega watts, the renown 500mw Kainji generating plant and the Jebba Hydro electric dam. It is a fact that all major towns in the State and indeed all local government headquarters except few have been connected to the national grid. Similarly, other smaller towns that cannot readily enjoy electricity from the national grid are being served by the State’s Rural Electrification efforts. Therefore, electricity supply does not pose a problem to the potential investor in Niger State.

 

MINERAL RESOURCES

The geological location of Niger State endows it with abundant mineral resources. Rich commercial deposits of various types of industrial minerals of high quality are available in the State which can be used for domestic and export purposes.

 

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN NIGER STATE 1976 TO DATE

S/No.	NAME	PERIOD	REMARK
1.	Navy Commander Murtala Nyako	Feb. 1976- 1977	Military Governor
2.	Navy Commander Ebitu Ukiwe	1977-1978	Military Governor
3.	Col. Ola Oni	1978 – 1979	1st Military Administrator
4.	Mal Muhammad Awwai Ibrahim	Oct. 1979 – Dec. 1983	1st civilian governor
5.	Col. David A.B. Mark	Jan. 1984 – Aug 1988	Military governor
6.	Lt. Col. Garba Ali Muhammed	Aug. 1986 – 1987	Military Governor
7.	Col. Mohammed Lawan Gwadabe	Jan. 1987 – 1992	Military Governor
8.	Dr. Musa Muhammed Inuwa	Jan. 1992 – Nov. 1993	2nd Civilian Governor
9.	Col. Cletus K. Emein	Dec. 1993 – Aug 1996	Military Administrator
10.	C.P. Simeon O. Oduoye	14th Aug 1996 – Aug 1998	Military Administrator
11.	Col. Habibu Idris Shuiabu	Aug 1998 – May 1999	Military Administrator
12.	Engr. Abdulkhadir A. Kure	May 1999 to May 2007	3rd Civilian Governor
13.	Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu	May 2007 to date	4th Civilian Governor

 

DEPUTY GOVERNORS IN NIGER STATE SINCE CREATION

S/No.	NAME	REMARK
1.	Alhaji Muhammed Salawu Agaie	Deputy Chairman N/S Executive Council Under Col. Ola Oni
2.	Alhaji Idrisu Alhassan Kpaki	Under Mallam Awwal Ibrahim
3.	Alhaji Mahmood Mundi Aliyu	Under Mallam Awwal Ibrahim
4.	Alhaji Jibo Garba	Under Col. Muhammed Lawan Gwadabe
5.	Alhaji Musa Jibrin Wali	Under Dr. Muhammed Inuwa
6.	Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu	Under Engr. A. A. Kure
7.	Alhaji Ahmed musa Ibeto	Under Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu

  

S.M.G (Secretary to Military Government)/ S.S.G (Secretary to State Government) & HEAD OF SERVICE TO DATE.

S/No.	NAME	DESIGNATION	REMARK
	Abdulkareem Lafene	S.M.G	Military Era (1976)
2.	Alh. Suleiman Liman	S.M.G	Military Era (1976 – 1979)
3.	Ambassador James T. Kolo	H.O.S	Military Era (1979 – 1981)
4.	Alh. Shehu Ahmadu Katcha	H.O.S	Civilian Era (Aug 1982 – Oct 1982)
5.	Malam Ibrahim Aliyu	S.S.G	Civilian Era (1979 -1983)
6.	Dr. Musa Abdullahi	S.S.G	Civilian Era (1983)
7.	Amb. AdulRahman Gara	S.M.G	Military Era (1983 – 1986)
8.	Engr. Mamman Muhammad mni	S.S.G	Military Era 9th April 1987 – Jan 1992)
9.	Mallam Nuhu Galadima Kuta	S.S.G	Civilian Era (1992 – Jan 1994)
10.	Alh. Abdulkadir Ibrahim Gudugi mni	S.S.G	Jan. 1994 – March 1998
11.	Alh. Nuhu Bawa	S.S.G	March 1998 – March 1999
12.	Alh. Salihu Madalla Ahmed	S.S.G	March 1999 – May 1999
13.	Alh. Dahiru Awaisu Kuta	S.S.G	May 1999 – May 2002
14.	Alh. Nuhu Bawa	H.O.S	March 1999 – Oct. 2002
15.	Comrade Moh’d Adams Erana	S.S.G	June 2002 – May 2007
16.	Alh Hassan Yahaya	H.O.S	Nov. 2002 – Aug. 2004
17.	Alh. Abdulkadir Usman	H.O.S	Aug 2004 – July 2007
18.	Dr. Muhammed Kuta Yahaya	S.S.G	May 2007 – date
19.	Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Danyaya	H.O.S	July 2007 - date

 

EMIRS IN NIGER STATE

S/No.	NAME	DOMAIN	L.G.A	STATUS DESIGNATION
1.	Alh. Yahaya Abubakar CFR	Bida Emirate	Gbako, Lavun, Katcha, Edati, Mokwa & Bida	Estu Nupe 1st class Emir, Chairman, Niger State council of Chiefs
2.	Alh. Saidu Namaska CON	Kontagora Emirate	Kontagora, Mashegu, Mariga, Wushishi, Magama & Rijau	1st  class Emir, Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora
3.	Alh. Haliru Dantoro CON	Borgu Emirate	Borgu & Agwara	1st class (Emir of Borgu)
4.	Mal. Muhammad Awwal Ibrahim CON	Suleja Emirate	Suleja, Gurara & Tafa	1st Class Emir
5.	Alh Muhammad Kudu Abubakar III	Agaie	Agaie	1st class Emir (Emir of Agaie)
6.	Alh. Umar Tafida Bago III CON	Lapai Emirate	Lapai	1st class Emir (Emir of Lapai)
7.	Alh. Umaru Farouk Bahago CON	Minna Emirate	Minna, Shiroro, Paikoro, Bosso & Munya	1st class Emir (Emir of Minna)
8.	Alh. Salihu Tanko	Kagara Emirate	Rafi	1st class Emir (Emir of Kagara)

 

                   SIGNED

   Engr. Abubakar Y. Salisu

           Director ICT