Kogi State
Kogi is a state in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone.
- Capital
- Lokoja
- Population
- 5.1M
- Total area
- 29,184 km²
- LGAs
- 21
- House Reps (total)
- 9
- IGR (2024)
- ₦32.0B
- Capital
- Lokoja
- Population
- 5.1M
- 2023 estimate
- Land area
- 29,184 km²
- LGAs
- 21
- Senate seats
- 3
- IGR (2024)
- ₦32.0B
- internally generated revenue
Sub-national administrative units
Local government areas (21)
21 constitutional tier-3 units
Geopolitical synthesis
Kogi in the federation
Kogi is a state in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone.
Bordering territories & maritime boundaries
- Land bordersAnambra, Benue, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, Ondo
Quick facts
- Date created
- 1991
- Known as
- The Confluence State
- Population
- ~5,100,000
- Climate classification
- Tropical Wet & Dry / Savanna
- LGAs
- 21
- Distance to Abuja
- 168 km
Languages, stories and places to explore
Languages spoken
Major cities
Lokoja · Okene · Idah
What to explore · learn
Kogi's nickname comes from the meeting of the Niger and Benue rivers at Lokoja — Nigeria's two largest rivers converge within the state.
Unlike many states with one dominant ethnic identity, Kogi is genuinely tri-ethnic: the Igala in the east, the Ebira around Okene, and Okun-Yoruba communities in the west, each with distinct language and traditional rulership.
Lokoja was the first capital of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria, which Frederick Lugard proclaimed there in 1900, before the seat moved to Zungeru in 1902.
Ocho is an ancient Igala hunting festival at Idah that opens the hunting and farming season. It was banned in 1963 and revived in 2018.
annualIdahThe Attah Igala is the paramount ruler of the Igala kingdom, seated at Idah.
IdahEbira communities stage the Echane masquerade festival in rotation from one district to another between April and June. Ebira festivals also include Ekuechi and the Eche-Ori new yam rites at Ihima and Eganyi.
Apr/May/Jun · annualEbiraland (rotating districts)The Ohinoyi is the paramount ruler of the Ebira, seated at Okene.
OkeneOvie Orese is a marital rite for young women in Ogori land, listed by the Federal Ministry of Information.
OgoriThe Obaro of Kabba is the leading Okun-Yoruba ruler of western Kogi.
Kabba
Cultural groups & homelands
Igala
9 LGAsEastern Kogi kingdom centred on Idah, seat of the Attah Igala.
Ebira
5 LGAsEbira (Igbira) heartland of central Kogi around Okene, under the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland; Ogori and Magongo communities have distinct local traditions.
Okun Yoruba
5 LGAsYoruba-speaking Okun communities (Kabba, Ijumu, Yagba, Mopa) of western Kogi.
Lokoja / Confluence Cluster
2 LGAsKogi State's capital area at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers, and the first capital of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria.
Major celebrations
- annualIdah
- Apr/May/Jun · annualEbiraland (rotating districts)
Cultural institutions
The Attah Igala is the paramount ruler of the Igala kingdom, seated at Idah.
Idah
The Ohinoyi is the paramount ruler of the Ebira, seated at Okene.
Okene
The Obaro of Kabba is the leading Okun-Yoruba ruler of western Kogi.
Kabba