Kogi State, one of Nigeria’s 36 states situated in the North Central geopolitical zone, earned the nickname “The Confluence State” upon its establishment on August 27, 1991.
Its nickname is attributed to the confluence of the River Niger and River Benue at its capital, Lokoja.
It is necessary to emphasize that Lokoja is the first administrative capital of modern-day Nigeria. With a population exceeding 4 million inhabitants, Kogi State is currently governed by Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress.
Agriculture is a major part of Kogi’s economy with fishing in the riverine areas like the capital of the State. It is also blessed with the likes of coal, petroleum, steel and others.
The major ethnic groups in Kogi State are Igala, Ebira, and Okun.
Geography
The state is unique as it shares boundaries with ten other states in the country. It neighbors the Federal Capital Territory to the north, Nasarawa State to the northeast, Benue State to the east, Enugu State to the southeast, Anambra State to the south, Edo State to the southwest, Ondo State to the west, Ekiti State to the west, Kwara State to the west, and Niger State to the north.
History And People
Kogi State was carved out from parts of Kwara State and Benue State. It currently comprises the people of the Kabba Province of Northern Nigeria.
Although there are various ethnic groups in the State, the major ones are:
- Igala
- Ebira
- Okun (a Yoruba Group)
Kogi State no doubt is an important one as far as Nigeria is concerned. Quite important that the name the country bears was coined in Lokoja by Flora Shaw.
Local Government Areas in Kogi State
There are 21 local government areas in the State, and they are:
- Adavi
- Ajaokuta
- Ankpa
- Bassa
- Dekina
- Ibaji
- Idah
- Igalamela-Odolu
- Ijumu
- Kabba/Bunu
- Koton Karfe
- Lokoja
- Mopa-Muro
- Ofu
- Ogori/Magongo
- Okehi
- Okene
- Olamaboro
- Omala
- Yagba East
- Yagba West
Tourism
There are various exciting places to see in Kogi State, such as:
- Lord Lugard House
- Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue
- Ogidi (An African town with formations of Igneous Rock mountains and a traditional art & craft industry)
Transport And Communications
The State links the FCT with over 20 Southern States. The Abuja International Airport serves as the national and international gateway for air travelers from and to Kogi.
Agriculture And Resources
There are a lot of farmers in Kogi State and they produce crops like coffee, cocoa, palm oil, cashews, groundnuts, maize, cassava, yam, rice and melon.
Kogi State also has mineral resources such as coal, limestone, iron, petroleum and tin. Kogi is home to the largest iron and steel industry in the country – Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.
Higher Institutions in Kogi
There are a handful of educational institutions in the State. Some of them are:
- Federal University (Lokoja)
- Kogi State University Anyigba
- Federal Polytechnic Idah
- Kogi State Polytechnic (Lokoja)
- Federal College of Education (Okene)
- College of Education (Ankpa)
- College of Agriculture Kabba
- Kogi state college of education, technical (Kabba)
- Salem University, Lokoja.
- ECWA School of Nursing in Egbe.
Notable People from Kogi
Kogi State has produced some influential Nigerians that are doing well in various spheres of life. Some of them are:
- Rt.Hon. Chief S A Ajayi OFR
- Darey- Darey Art Alade
- Joseph Benjamin
- Halima Abubakar
- Praiz
- Mercy Johnson
- Jummai Joseph
- Jaywon
Past Governors of Kogi State from 1991-Present
- Danladi Mohammed Zakari: August 1998–May 1999
- Abubakar Audu: May 29, 1999–May 29, 2003
- Colonel Paul Uzoanya Omeruo: December 9, 1993–August 22, 1996
- Colonel Bzigu Afakirya: August 22, 1996–August 1998
- Augustine Aniebo: August 1998–May 1999
- Abubakar Audu: May 29, 1999–May 29, 2003
- Ibrahim Idris: May 29, 2003–February 6, 2008
- Clarence Olafemi: February 6, 2008-March 29, 2008
- Ibrahim Idris: April 5, 2008 –January 26, 2012
- Idris Wada: January 17, 2012–27 January 2016
- Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello: January 27, 2016-January 27, 2024
- Usman Ododo: January 27, 2024-present