Minna

Minna is an LGA and the capital city of Niger State situated in the Northcentral geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The predominant tribes in Niger state are the Nupe and the Gbagyi with Christianity and Islam as the commonly practiced religions. Minna boasts a total estimated population of 954,606 inhabitants spread over popular areas such as Kwangila, Barkin Sale, Bosso Dutsin Kura, Airport road, Tungan Chanchanga, Baro Kpakungu, Ahmadu Banagu, Maitumbi Gwadai, Gwada and Koida kura. Tertiary institutions in Minna include the Federal University of Technology, Center for Distance and e-learning, College of legal and General studies, and the National Open University of Nigeria. 

The Islamic law of Sharia is applicable within the city while popular city landmarks include the Federal University of Technology Minna, the Niger state museum,, Emir's Palace, Minna Central Mosque, Bako Kontagora stadium, shiroro hotel, UK Bello Arts Theatre, Kasuwar Gwadabe, and the Minna township stadium which is home to the Niger Tornadoes Football club; a Nigerian professional football club. Health institutions found in Minna include the General Hospital, Bay specialist hospital, Masol hospital and Maternity, Top Medical hospital, Standard hospital, Savannah hospital, Taimako clinic, and the Imani specialist hospital. 

GEOGRAPHY

Minna has a total area of 8,098 km squared with a humidity of 38 percent. Minna city falls under the Tropical Savannah climate and features two distinct seasons which are the dry and the rainy seasons.

The average annual total rainfall in Minna is estimated at 1650 mm.

ECONOMY

Minna has a vibrant agricultural sector with crops such as yam, cotton, guinea corn, and ginger cultivated in substantial quantities. Also, popular economic activities engaged in by the inhabitants of Minna city include cattle rearing, gold mining, shea butter production, metal works and leather works.

Also, popular markets within the city such as the Tunga market, the Bosso market, Garatu yam market, New market, Building materials market, Shango, Kure market, and the Gwari market attract thousands of traders and buyers thus contributing immensely to the city’s economic value.

HISTORY

Historical evidence shows that settlement in the area now known as Minna dates back hundreds of centuries. Islam came into the city over 20,000 years ago through the Saharan trade routes.

Minna has been the capital city of Niger state since the creation of the state from the Northwestern state in 1976.