Niger State

Niger is a state in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria and the largest state in the country. The state's capital is at Minna. Other major cities are Bida, Kontagora and Suleja. It was formed in 1976 when the then North-Western State was bifurcated into Niger State and Sokoto State. It is home to Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, two of Nigeria's former military rulers. The Nupe, Gbagyi, Kamuku, Kambari, Hun-Saare, Hausa and Koro form the majority of numerous indigenous tribes of Niger State.

Niger
State
Gurara Falls, a waterfall along the Gurara River in Niger State
Flag
Nickname(s):  The Power State
Location of Niger State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 10°00′N 6°00′E
Country	Nigeria
Date created	3 February 1976
Capital	Minna
Government
• Governor (List)	Abubakar Sani Bello (APC)
• Deputy Governor	Ahmed Muhammad Ketso
• Senators	Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi Muhammad Bima Enagi Sani Mohammed Musa
Area
• Total	76,363 km2 (29,484 sq mi)
Area rank	1st of 36
Population  (2006)[1]
• Total	3,954,772
• Rank	18th of 36
• Density	52/km2 (130/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)
• Year	2007
• Total	$6.00 billion[2]
• Per capita	$1,480[2]
Time zone	UTC+01 (WAT)
postal code	920001
ISO 3166 code	NG-NI
HDI (2018)	0.482[3] low · 28th of 37
Website	nigerstate.gov.ng

The state is named after the River Niger. Two of Nigeria's major hydroelectric power stations, the Kainji Dam and Shiroro Dam, are located in Niger State, and the newly Zungeru Dam is also located there, the Jebba Dam is half Niger state and Kwara Sharing boundaries. The famous Gurara Falls is in Niger State, and Gurara Local Government Area is named after the Gurara River, on whose course the fall is situated. Also situated there is Kainji National Park, the largest National Park of Nigeria, which contains Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve and the Zugurma Game Reserve.[4]