Niger State

Of the 36 states of Nigeria, Niger is the eleventh most populous with an estimated population of about 6.7 million as of 2020. Geographically, the state is split between the West Sudanian savanna in the east and the Guinean forest–savanna mosaic ecoregion in the rest of the state. The Kainji Lake as well as the Niger and Kaduna rivers are the state's major water bodies, with the River Niger flowing through from Kainji Lake through the western part of the state and forming the border with Kwara State. Niger State is also home to the Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro Dams, which are major sources of hydroelectric power. Also situated there is Kainji National Park, the largest National Park in Nigeria, which contains Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve and the Zugurma Game Reserve.

Niger State is ethnically diverse, including communities of Adara, Fulani, Gbagyi, Hausa, Hun-Saare, Kambari, Kamuku, Koro Gungawa, Nupe, and other ethnic groups.

Historically, parts of modern-day Niger State were centres of powerful pre-colonial states, including the Nupe Kingdom, Gbagyi states, and parts of the Hausa Bakwai states. In the early nineteenth century, parts of the state were incorporated into the Sokoto Caliphate following the Fulani jihad. With British colonisation in the early 1900s, the area became part of the Northern Nigeria Protectorate. Upon Nigeria's independence in 1960, Niger State was initially part of the Northern Region until 1967, when it became part of the North-Western State. In 1976, Niger State was created as a distinct entity following the breakup of North-Western State and in the 1990s, the state gained the Borgu region from Kwara. Since the late 2010s, Niger has been one of the states hit hardest by banditry and terrorism.

Economically, Niger State is largely driven by agriculture along with livestock farming and herding. The state plays a key role in Nigeria's energy sector due to its hydroelectric dams. Niger State has the tenth-highest GDP in the country but has a low Human Development Index ranking.

Government

Like most Nigerian states, Niger State is governed by a democratically-elected Governor, who is currently Mohammad Umar Bago. The governor works with the Niger State House of Assembly. The capital city is Minna.

The state has three Senatorial Zones/Districts: Niger East, Niger North, Niger South.

Electoral system

The governor is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two -thirds of the State local government areas. If no candidate passes threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government Areas.

Local government

The state has 25 Local Government Areas, each headed by a local government chairman. They are divided into districts, each with a district head while villages are headed by village heads.

The local government areas are:

• Agaie
• Agwara
• Bida
• Borgu
• Bosso
• Chanchaga
• Edati
• Gbako
• Gurara
• Katcha
• Kontagora
• Lapai
• Lavun
• Magama
• Mariga
• Mashegu
• Mokwa
• Munya
• Paikoro
• Rafi
• Rijau
• Shiroro
• Suleja
• Tafa
• Wushishi