Makurdi
Makurdi is the capital of Benue State, located in eastern Nigeria, and part of the Middle Belt region of central Nigeria. The city is situated on the south bank of the Benue River. In 2016, Makurdi and the surrounding areas had an estimated population of 365,000.[2][3][1]
Makurdi | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Makurdi | |
| Motto(s): Food Basket of the Nation | |
  Makurdi Location in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 7°43′50″N 8°32′10″E | |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| State | Benue State |
| Government | |
| • Local Government Chairman and the Head of the Local Government Council | Juliana Audu |
| Population (2016)[1] | |
| • Total | 365,000 |
| Climate | Aw |
History
Makurdi was established in 1927. In 1976, it became the capital of Benue State.[2]
This city was one of the sites of the End SARS protests in 2020.[4]
Demographics
The major ethnic groups are the Tiv,[5] Idoma, Igede, Jukun, Wurkum, Agatu, Etulo, Alagbo, Hausa, Fulani, and Nupe.
Education
Makurdi is home to Benue State University; University of Agriculture, Makurdi; and Nigeria Army School Of Military Engineering, Makurdi.
A secondary school is located in Makurdi, Government Secondary School, North Bank.
Climate
| Climate data for Makurdi (1961–1990) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 38.5 (101.3) |
39.0 (102.2) |
39.5 (103.1) |
39.0 (102.2) |
37.0 (98.6) |
34.0 (93.2) |
33.0 (91.4) |
32.0 (89.6) |
33.0 (91.4) |
34.0 (93.2) |
35.0 (95.0) |
36.0 (96.8) |
39.5 (103.1) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 34.8 (94.6) |
36.9 (98.4) |
37.0 (98.6) |
35.0 (95.0) |
32.6 (90.7) |
31.2 (88.2) |
30.0 (86.0) |
30.0 (86.0) |
30.7 (87.3) |
31.7 (89.1) |
33.5 (92.3) |
34.2 (93.6) |
33.1 (91.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 26.4 (79.5) |
28.5 (83.3) |
30.0 (86.0) |
29.2 (84.6) |
27.6 (81.7) |
26.4 (79.5) |
25.9 (78.6) |
25.8 (78.4) |
26.0 (78.8) |
26.4 (79.5) |
26.8 (80.2) |
25.2 (77.4) |
27.1 (80.8) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 18.4 (65.1) |
22.0 (71.6) |
24.7 (76.5) |
25.0 (77.0) |
23.6 (74.5) |
22.9 (73.2) |
22.5 (72.5) |
22.6 (72.7) |
22.3 (72.1) |
22.5 (72.5) |
20.3 (68.5) |
17.6 (63.7) |
22.0 (71.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 10.0 (50.0) |
12.0 (53.6) |
15.5 (59.9) |
20.0 (68.0) |
18.0 (64.4) |
18.5 (65.3) |
19.5 (67.1) |
19.5 (67.1) |
18.5 (65.3) |
19.5 (67.1) |
13.0 (55.4) |
8.5 (47.3) |
8.5 (47.3) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 3.7 (0.15) |
2.0 (0.08) |
30.7 (1.21) |
91.3 (3.59) |
166.2 (6.54) |
182.9 (7.20) |
212.4 (8.36) |
217.8 (8.57) |
218.1 (8.59) |
109.1 (4.30) |
1.8 (0.07) |
1.0 (0.04) |
1,237 (48.70) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 5.6 | 8.9 | 10.3 | 12.9 | 13.3 | 13.3 | 7.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 75.1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 15:00 LST) | 26.3 | 26.8 | 37.0 | 50.3 | 61.5 | 66.6 | 69.9 | 71.3 | 68.6 | 63.3 | 45.1 | 31.9 | 51.5 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 217.0 | 212.8 | 210.8 | 210.0 | 213.9 | 183.0 | 151.9 | 145.7 | 162.0 | 201.5 | 240.0 | 232.5 | 2,381.1 |
| Mean daily sunshine hours | 7.0 | 7.6 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 6.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| Source 1: NOAA[6] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (extremes and mean temperature)[7] | |||||||||||||
Transport
Makurdi is located on the banks of Benue River, a major tributary of the Niger River.
It is on the main narrow gauge railway line running north from Port Harcourt. There are regular bus services linking Makurdi to neighbouring towns.
Until a road rail bridge was built in 1932, a train ferry was used to cross the Benue river.
There is an airport in Makurdi.
Military
Makurdi contains the base for the Nigerian Air Force's MiG 21 and SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft squadrons.
Agriculture
Benue State is predominantly an agricultural area specialising in cash crops and subsistence crops.
Resources
Limestone and marble can be found in the area.
References
- "The World Gazetteer". Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2007.
- "Makurdi | Location, Facts, & Population". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- "Government of Benue State". Government of Benue State. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- Duru, Peter (October 17, 2020). "EndSARS protesters shut down Makurdi". Vanguard. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- Bergsma, Harold M. (November 2015). "PROLOGUE: HISTORY OF THE TIV". Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- "Makurdi Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- "Klimatafel von Makurdi / Nigeria" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
State capital: Makurdi | ||
| Local Government Areas |  | |
| Settlements | ||
