Niger is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria and the largest state in the country. Niger state has three political zones, zone A,B and C. 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 divided 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, Gungawa, Hun-Saare, Hausa and Koro form the majority of numerous indigenous tribes of Niger State.

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, along with the new Zungeru Dam. The Jebba Dam straddles the border of Niger state and Kwara state. 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.

Government
Like the majority of Nigerian states, it is governed by a Governor and a state House of Assembly. Under the current administration of Abubakar Sani Bello. The state has 25 local government each headed by local government chairman which are also divided into districts, each again with its district head while Villages are headed by village head throughout the state.

See also
list of governors of Niger State
Niger State Local Government Areas
Local Government Areas
See also: List of villages in Niger State
Niger State consists of 25 local government areas. They 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
Education
Tertiary educational institutions in Niger state include:

Federal Polytechnic, Bida
Federal University of Technology Minna
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai
Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru
Languages
Languages of Niger State listed by LGA;

LGA Languages
Agaie Nupe, Dibo; Kakanda;
Agwara Cishingini
Bida Nupe,Hausa, BassaNge, Gbari
Borgu Busa, Bisã; Boko; Cishingini; Laru; Reshe
Chanchaga Basa-Gumna; Basa-Gurmana; Gbagyi; Gbari; Nupe; Kamuku; Tanjijili
Edati Nupe, BassaNge
Gbako Nupe
Gurara Gwandara, Gbagyi
Katcha Nupe, Dibo; Kupa
Kontagora Hausa, Acipa, Eastern; Asu; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi
Lapai Nupe, Dibo; Gbari; Gupa-Abawa; Kakanda; Kami;
Magama Lopa; Tsikimba; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi
Mariga Baangi; Bassa-Kontagora; Cicipu; Kamuku; Nupe; Rogo; Shama-Sambuga; Tsikimba; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi
Mashegu Asu; Tsikimba; Tsishingini; Nupe-Tako
Minna Nupe;Hausa; Gbari; Gbagyi
Mokwa Nupe, Hausa; Yoruba; Gbari
Munya Adara
Paikoro Gbari; Kadara
Rafi Basa-Gurmana; Bauchi; Cahungwarya; Fungwa; Gbagyi; Gbari; Kamuku; Pangu; Rogo; Shama-Sambuga
Rijau Fulani; C’Lela; Tsishingini; Tsuvadi; ut-Hun
Shiroro Gbagyi; Hausa; Gurmana
Suleja Hausa; Gbagyi; Gbari; Gwandara; Nupe; Tanjijili
Wushishi Hausa; Nupe; Gbari
Sorko and Zarma are also spoken