nsgovhouse

Niger State

Niger State is one of the 36 States of Nigeria, created out of the defunct North- Western State. It shares border with the Republic of Benin (west), Zamfara State (North), Kebbi (North West), Kogi (South), Kwara (South West), Kaduna (North East) and the FCT (South East)

The state comprises 25 local government areas (LGAs) grouped into 3 administrative zones; A, B, C with 8, 9 and 8 LGAs respectively. In line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, two levels of government exist in the state; the State Government and the Local Government Councils. However, the Dr Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu's administration seemed to have introduced a third level with the innovation of Ward Development Project involving monthly disbursement of One million Naira(N 1,000,000:00) for grassroots development.

It is the largest state in Nigeria, as it covers about 86,000Sqkm (or about 8.6million hectares) representing about 9.3% of the total land area of the country. The state's major rivers are Niger, Kaduna, Gbako, Ekun, Gurara, Ebba, Egan, Mariga and their tributaries.

Based on the 2006 census, the state's population is 3.95million comprising 2.03million males and 1.92million females. These represent the proportional share of 51.5% for males and 48.5% for females' respectively. As opposed to a national annual growth rate of 3.2%, Niger State is growing at 3.4%.

The traditional institutions have been preserved and are very effective in grassroots mobilization and sensitization. There are eight emirates ruled by first class emirs who together constitute the State Traditional Council. Each LGA is subdivided into districts (each supervised by a district head appointed by the government) which are further subdivided into wards/villages.

The state is dominated by two visible activities-agriculture and public service-and as a result, most activities in the state revolve around the public sector.

Formerly, the absence of a virile private sector and low level of private investment made the state one of the least developed states in the country. However, recently according to the United Nation Human Development Index 2008/2009, Niger State emerged 6th under the GDP/per capita index, leading Northern States, Kano State having only emerged the 8th, out of the 36 States of the federation and Abuja FCT; also, under the Business Environment in Nigerian States, 2010 index, Niger State was ranked 18th out of the 36 States and Abuja FCT. Thus, the state seems to have made a remarkable leap during the present administration. However, there is the need to harness more potentials and consolidate extant developments.