Niger State

Posted by Nigeria Direct on 2009/02/15 | Views: 801 |

Niger State

Governor: Mua'azu Babangida Aliyu (PDP)


Deputy Governor: Ahmed Musa Ibeto

Date Created: February 1976

Capital: Minna

Major Towns: Bida, Suleja, Kontagora, Lapai, Mokwa and Minna.

There are 25 local government areas that make up the state. The local government areas are: Chanchaga, Lapai, Agaie, Paikoro, Suleja, Gurara, Bida, Shiroro, Rafi, Wushishi, Gbako, Bosso, Lavun, Mokwa, Borgu, Agwara, Kotangora, Magawa, Rijna, Katcha, Miraga, Edati, Mashegu, Munya and Tafa.

Agriculture is the major occupation of the state with about 80% of the population engaged in farming. The state produces crops like yam, bean, cassava, rice, millet, groundnut, maize and sugar cane.

The State Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with the Niger State Agricultural Development Project provide subsidized agricultural inputs such as pesticides, fertilizers and seedlings to farmers so as to boost agricultural production.

In the industrial scene, Niger State is blessed with abundant industrial resources. Surveys carried out have shown the deposit of gold and marble in parts of Minna. There is also the presence of other minerals like limestone, glass sands, chalk, copper etc.

The State is also educationally inclined having established 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 and many others.

Niger State is well known for its beautiful and colourful tourist attractions. These include the Gurara Falls in Bonu. Mayanka Falls and Zuma rock both in Suleja and the Shiroro Dam to mention a few. Also the five-star Shiroro Hotel in Minna offers the best in comfort and luxury.

In the area of communication, the state has one radio station Broadcasting Corporation of Niger State (BCNS) and one Federal Government owned television station. There is also the state owned Printing and Publishing Company Niger Printing and Publishing Company. The Company publishes a weekly paper Newsline.