NORTH CENTRAL STATES IN NIGERIA – All You Need To Know

Speaking of geopolitical zones, North-Central is one that cannot be left out, which is why we are going to discuss the Northcentral states in Nigeria in detail containing all you possibly need to know about the states that would be discuss in this article. Nigeria, known as the giant of Africa, located in the West African region is endowed with a total of 36 states of which was sub-divided into six different geopolitical zones of which Northcentral is one, meanwhile, the Northcentral region is made up of seven northern states. Now let’s go into details about this interesting topic and all you need to know about it.

NORTH CENTRAL STATES IN NIGERIA

The north-central is made up of seven states in total which include;

The federal capital territory (Abuja), Kwara, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and plateau; now let’s look into these states and see what they have got.

  • ABUJA:
Abuja

Abuja is the current federal capital territory of the giant of Africa (Nigeria), though this state (Abuja) was recently made the federal capital territory at late 1991, the position of the federal capital territory was formerly held by Lagos state, of which was later transferred to Abuja. This decision was made in the 1970s, the authorities in support of Abuja as the federal capital territory were guided by the fact that no group either political, religious or ethnic group should dominate in the capital city, this was due to the fact that the country was tired or fed up of different conflicts and was in great need of the capital in other to unite the people of the country. The federal capital territory (Abuja) was built in courtesy of a Japanese architect, however, the history of Abuja began in the year 1828 and the state was turned into the country’s capital one and a half centuries later. Currently, Abuja is a modern city filled with modern architecture which is deemed to suit Africa, currently, the population of Abuja is over 1.5 million. Abuja is territorially divided into six different areas, meanwhile, in the central area; there is the presence of office buildings which includes the official residence of the president. The federal capital territory (Abuja), is located in a picturesque valley, which is practically the center or the heart of Nigeria. The gifts of nature are not found wanting in this state, the city abounds with attractive hills, however, savannas of the north close to Abuja trail into the rainforest forsaking other regions on the south.

Climate:  Abuja possesses an equatorial climate, with expressed rainy seasons alongside an annual temperature reaching up to thirty (30) degrees.

Abuja is a city with lots of beautiful sights to behold which includes; the Zuma rock, Granite Hill, and the National Mosque of Abuja which posses a golden dome and four minarets at the top, however, the road to Abuja leads straight to Zuma, meanwhile, thousands of tourist have visited this hill and it is usually interesting and according to National Belief, Zuma is believed to have healing forces.

  • KOGI STATE
Kogi-State

Kogi is known or called the Confluence state based on the city’s capital (Lokoja), the city is known and called the confluence state because the city is where the two great rivers of Nigeria which are the River Niger and Benue meet to form a Confluence. Kogi was the first administrative capital of Nigeria which was created as a confluence of Niger and Benue; however, Kogi was formed in the year 1991 from Benue and Kvar and of recent series of tribes which includes Yoruba, Ebira and Igala now abound in the state. The city of Kogi offers a series of opportunities which gives room for relaxation of which wildlife and historical monuments are of great interest. The city of Kogi is not far from the federal capital territory (Abuja), and for this cause, tourist can easily visit all the way from Abuja to get a sightsee of important colonial monuments which include the house or abode of Lord Lugard, Ogidi, Traditional crafts, and the place of confluence of Niger and Benue. Kogi state is noted to connect the federal capital territory with 22 (twenty-two) southern states. Due to the fact that the city s close to the federal capital territory, telecommunication services are well developed and the international airport of Abuja serves international and internal flights in Kogi.

  • BENUE STATE

Benue with the administrative center being Makurdi city takes the 11th spot in the area and the 9th position pertaining to population. The population of Benue state is over 4.2 million according to the population census held in the year 2006. The major ethnic groups found in the state are the Idoma, Tiv, Etulo, Igede, and Abakwa. The city of Benue is known to share borders with Nasarawa state in the north, Cross River state at the south, Kogi at the west, Taraba at the east, and Enugu at the southwest. With respect to its geographical location, the state is noted and referred to as the food basket of the Nation, this is due to its richness in the areas of agriculture, series and lots of crops are grown in the state which includes, cassava, yam, potatoes, soy, flax rice, and peanuts. The state, In an attempt to encourage education among youth and the population as a whole to possess three Universities which includes; the Federal University of Agriculture Benue, Mkar University and the Benue State University, more also, there are two polytechnics in the state which includes; the Benue state polytechnic and Fidel polytechnic. Benue state is located right at the center of Nigeria between the farmers of the south and the nomads of the north, meanwhile, pertaining to this, there are regular conflicts amongst them for the owner right use of land and water resources and also due to the fact that the population density of the state grows more often and also business activities becomes great, therefore the conflicts between this people take place real often and chaotic.

  • KWARA STATE

Kwara state is located 306 (three hundred and six) Kilometers northeast of Lagos state and 500 (five hundred) Kilometers southwest of Abuja. Kwara state was created in the year 1967 during the time whereby the federal military government made a change pertaining to the division of the state into 12 (twelve) regions. Kwara state was created or formed from the former provinces of Kabba and Illorin of the northern region and was then called the West central state, but later on, was renamed into Kwara.

  • NASARAWA STATE

Nasarawa state is one of the North-central states in Nigeria which occupies the 35th position pertaining to population density and the 15th position when it comes to Area; meanwhile, the capital city of Nasarawa is known as Lafia. Nasarawa state is noted for its big fields when it comes to agricultural practices. Nasarawa state was formed on October 1996 by the plateau state, Nasarawa is a place of attraction for tourist when it comes to fishing, knitting, and series of needlework, and the state is rich in minerals which play a huge part in the viable economic industry and also agricultural projects. Speaking of minerals in this state, the state is blessed with tin, coal, Marble and semiprecious stones. In Nasarawa state, there are also lots of unused energy resources, which thereby lead to the state being called the Home of Solid Minerals.

  • PLATEAU STATE:

Plateau state is also one of the North central states in Nigeria which was formed in February of the year 1976 pertaining to the partition of the Benue-plateau state. The capital city of Plateau is called Jos, the name was derived from the Jos Plateau where the state is located. In the year 1996 Nasarawa state made a separation from its western region, at the beginning of the 20th century, the majority of the parts of the modern state of plateau got into the province of Bauchi. In the year 1926, the plateau was removed or separated from Bauchi, and then the province border changed severally.

  • NIGER STATE:

Niger state was founded or created in the year 1976, this state was created according to the sharia law stipulations, although a reasonable number or considerable number of Christians reside in the state and also people who speak the Hun-Saare language also resides in the state. The Niger state name is derived from the River Niger, which notably forms one of its natural borders. Due to the geographical location of this state, the state is a home for the known two largest hydroelectric power stations in Nigeria. The state is occupied by three (3) main ethnic groups which include the Nupe ethnic group, the Hausas, and the Gwari, meanwhile; there are other smaller ethnic groups which also reside in this state which includes; Kadara, Pangu, Bassa, Fulani, and others. Niger state also possesses the largest National park in Nigeria which is the Kainji Park.

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Conclusion On North Central States In Nigeria

There you have the North Central states in Nigeria listed, the Northcentral is made up seven different states which have been stated above; these states mentioned above are notably great states in the country which contributes immensely to the country’s economy.

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