Niger State
Niger is a state in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone.
- Capital
- Minna
- Population
- 6.8M
- Total area
- 72,178 km²
- LGAs
- 25
- House Reps (total)
- 10
- IGR (2024)
- ₦34.7B
- Capital
- Minna
- Population
- 6.8M
- 2023 estimate
- Land area
- 72,178 km²
- LGAs
- 25
- Senate seats
- 3
- IGR (2024)
- ₦34.7B
- internally generated revenue
Sub-national administrative units
Local government areas (25)
25 constitutional tier-3 units
Geopolitical synthesis
Niger in the federation
Niger is a state in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone.
Bordering territories & maritime boundaries
- Land bordersFederal Capital Territory, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Zamfara
- International borderRepublic of Benin
Quick facts
- Date created
- 1976
- Known as
- The Power State
- Population
- ~6,800,000
- Climate classification
- Tropical Wet & Dry / Savanna
- LGAs
- 25
- Distance to Abuja
- 234 km
Languages, stories and places to explore
Languages spoken
Major cities
Minna · Bida · Suleja
What to explore · learn
Niger's nickname reflects hosting Kainji and Shiroro Dams, two of Nigeria's three major hydroelectric power stations.
Niger is Nigeria's largest state by land area, spanning over 76,000 sq km.
The Etsu Nupe is the paramount ruler of the Nupe, seated at Bida.
BidaBida is known for brasswork and glass-bead making passed down in Nupe craft guilds.
BidaBida marks the Prophet's birthday with the Gani festival of parades and Nupe pageantry.
annualBidaThe Emir of Kontagora holds the historic title Sarkin Sudan.
Kontagora
Cultural groups & homelands
Nupe (Niger State)
8 LGAsNupe kingdom of central Niger State centred on Bida, seat of the Etsu Nupe.
Gbagyi (Gwari) of Niger State
7 LGAsGbagyi (Gwari) communities of eastern Niger State, including the Minna area.
Borgu and Kambari
4 LGAsKambari, Bokobaru and other communities of north-western Niger State along the Benin Republic border.
Major celebrations
- annualBida
Cultural institutions
The Etsu Nupe is the paramount ruler of the Nupe, seated at Bida.
Bida
The Emir of Kontagora holds the historic title Sarkin Sudan.
Kontagora
Metro areas
Minna Metropolis
Niger State's capital cluster on Gbagyi (Gwari) ancestral land, a railway and administrative town near the Shiroro and Kainji power corridor.