Niger State
- Current Governor: Mohammed Umar Bago
- Founded: February 3, 1976
- Area: 76,363 km2
- Capital: Minna
- Geopolitical Zone: North Central
- HD1 (2021): 0.484; low, 28 of 37
- ISO 3166 code: NG-NI
- Population: 3.95 million
- Postal Code: 920001
- Official Website
- Slogan: The Power State
Background
Niger State is located in the North Central region of Nigeria. It is the largest state in the country and is bordered by the states of Kebbi and Zamfara to the north, Kaduna to the north and northeast, Kogi to the southeast, and Kwara to the south. The Abuja Federal Capital Territory is on Niger state’s eastern border. The state was formed in 1976 when the then North-Western State was divided into Niger State and Sokoto State.
Population
With a population of 3,954,772 as of 2006, Niger State is the 18th most populous state in Nigeria.
Governors
- Murtala Nyako (Military Governor): February 1976 - December 1977
- Navy Commander Ebitu Ukiwe (Military Governor): December 1977 - July 1978
- Col. Ola Oni (July 1978 - October 1979)
- Awwal Ibrahim (NPN Governor): October 1979 - December 1983
- David Mark (Military Governor): January 1984 - August 1986
- Lt. Col. Garba Ali Mohammed (Military Governor): August 1986 - December 1987
- Lawan Gwadabe (Military Governor): August 1987 - December 1992
- Dr. Musa Mohammed Inuwa (Civilian Governor): January 1992 - November 1993
- Cletus Emein (Military Governor): December 1993 - August 1996
- C.P. Simeon O. Oduoye (Military Governor): August 1996 - August 1998
- Habibu Idris Shuaibu (Military Administrator): August 1998 - May 1999
- Abdulkadir Kure (PDP Governor): May 29, 1999 - May 29, 2007
- Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (PDP Governor): May 29, 2007 - May 29, 2015
- Abubakar Sani Bello (APC Governor): May 29, 2015 - May 2023
- Mohammed Umar Bago (APC Governor): Incumbent
University
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University is a university in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria. It was established in honour of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
Famous People
Some famous people from Niger State include:
Abdulsalami Abubakar: Nigerian statesman and military general who served as the de facto President of Nigeria from June 1998 until May 1999.
Ibrahim Babangida: Nigerian statesman and military general who served as the President of Nigeria from August of 1985 until August of 1993.
