Borgu Local Government Area, in Niger State, is Nigeria’s largest Local Government Area by land size with 11,267 km2.
The headquarters of Borgu is New Bussa.
All Saints Cathedral, Anglican Church, New Bussa, Borgu LGA, Niger State, NigeriaNew Bussa
The Ancient Kingdom of Borgu
The ancient Kingdom of Borgu was a historically significant region in West Africa, comprising parts of what is today northern Benin and western Nigeria. The kingdom was primarily populated by two major ethnic groups: the Boko/Busa and the Baatombu (or Bariba) people, both of whom still dominate much of this region today. Borgu’s legacy, spanning centuries, offers insights into the region’s rich cultural, political, and linguistic diversity.
Geographical Composition of Borgu
Borgu encompassed a wide area, which today straddles two modern nations: the Republic of Benin and Nigeria. In Benin, the Boko people are mainly concentrated in the sub-prefectures of Segbana and Kalale, while the Baatombu people dominate the remaining part of the Borgu region, such as Kandi, Banikoara, Bembereke, Sinende, N’Dali, Nikki, Parakou, Perere, Gogonou, and Tchaourou. Beyond the traditional Borgu territories in Benin, the Baatombu also exert influence in areas like Kerou, Kouande, Wassa-Tobre, and Wassa-Pehunco, which were historically tied to the kingdom.
In Nigeria, the Boko/Busa people dominate the Borgu Local Government Area (LGA) in Niger State, as well as the Kaiama LGA in Kwara State and the Illo district within the Bagudo LGA of Kebbi State. The Baatombu (Bariba) people, on the other hand, are primarily found in the Baruten LGA in Kwara State, reinforcing their presence as a key demographic in the Borgu region.
