Niger State
Niger or Niger State is a state in Central Nigeria and the largest state in the country. The state capital is Minna, and other major cities are Bida, Kontagora, and Suleja. It was formed in 1976 when the then North-Western State was 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, Dukawa, 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, and the newly Zungeru Dam is also located there, the Jebba Dam is half Niger state and Kwara Sharing boundaries. 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.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
Languages
LGA | Languages |
Agaie | Nupe, Dibo; Kakanda; |
Agwara | Cishingini |
Bida | Nupe, BassaNge, Gbari |
Borgu | Busa, Bisã; Boko; Cishingini; Laru; Reshe |
Chanchaga | Basa-Gumna; Basa-Gurmana; Gbagyi; Gbari; Nupe; Kamuku; Tanjijili |
Edati | Nupe, BassaNge |
Gbako | Nupe |
Gurara | Gwandara, Gbagyi |
Katcha | Nupe, Dibo; Kupa |
Kontagora | Acipa, Eastern; Asu; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi |
Lapai | Nupe, Dibo; Gbari; Gupa-Abawa; Kakanda; Kami; |
Magama | Lopa; Tsikimba; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi |
Mariga | Baangi; Bassa-Kontagora; Cicipu; Kamuku; Nupe; Rogo; Shama-Sambuga; Tsikimba; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi |
Mashegu | Asu; Tsikimba; Tsishingini; Nupe-Tako |
Minna | Nupe; Gbari; Gbagyi |
Mokwa | Nupe, Yoruba; Gbari |
Munya | Adara |
Paikoro | Gbari; Kadara |
Rafi | Basa-Gurmana; Bauchi; Cahungwarya; Fungwa; Gbagyi; Gbari; Kamuku; Pangu; Rogo; Shama-Sambuga |
Rijau | Fulani; C'Lela; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi; ut-Hun |
Shiroro | Gbagyi; Gurmana |
Suleja | Gbagyi; Gbari; Gwandara; Nupe; Tanjijili |
Wushishi | Fulani, Hausa; Nupe; Gbari |
Sorko and Zarma are also spoken.