Idoma Local Government Areas (LGAs)

The Idoma ethnic group in Benue State rank second by population size after Tiv.

Tiv People constitute over 90% of the population of 2 out of 3 senatorial districts in the state while Idoma are the majority in the third senatorial district, Benue’s South Senatorial District, commonly known in the state as Zone C.

Out of Benue’s 23 local government areas, Tiv occupies 14, Idoma 7, Igede 2 with the others occupying parts.

Map of Nigeria showing Benue State
A Food Basket statute at Wurukum roundabout in Makurdi, Benue State

Tiv LGAs

  1. Buruku
  2. Gboko
  3. Guma
  4. Gwer East
  5. Gwer West
  6. Katsina-Ala
  7. Konshisha
  8. Kwande
  9. Logo
  10. Makurdi
  11. Tarka
  12. Ukum
  13. Ushongo
  14. Vandeikya

Idoma LGAs

  1. Ado
  2. Agatu
  3. Apa
  4. Ogbadibo
  5. Ohimini
  6. Okpokwu
  7. Otukpo

Igede LGAs

  1. Oju
  2. Obi

The population size of some ethnic groups in Benue State is not up to a whole LGA.

Those ethnic groups are: Etulo, Abakwa, Nyifon, Undir, Ugee, Jukun, Afia, Utonkon, Izzi, Ezza and others.

Benue LGAs where smaller indigenous ethnic groups are located

Buruku LGA

Etulo, Abakwa, Nyifon

Katsina Ala LGA

Etulo

Kwande LGA

Undir, Ugee

Makurdi LGA

Jukun

Ado LGA

Afia, Utonkon, Izzi, Ezza

Benue State

Benue is a state in Nigeria. It takes its name from Its major river: River Benue. The state is one the six states that make up Nigeria’s North-Central geopolitical zone along with the Federal Capital Territory.

It is located in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria and shares an international boundary with the Republic of Cameroon to the Southeast and interstate boundaries with Nasarawa State to the North, Taraba State to the East, Enugu, Ebonyi and Cross River States to the South, and Kogi State to the West.

Creation: February 3, 1976.

Capital: Makurdi.

Major Cities: Makurdi, Gboko Otukpo, Katsina-Ala, Zaki-Biam, Ukum and Adikpo.

Local Government Areas (LGAs): Ado, Agatu, Apa, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West, Katsina-Ala,Konshisha, Kwande, Logo,Makurdi, Obi, Ogbadibo, Ohimini, Oju, Okpokwu, Otukpo, Tarka, Ukum, Ushongo, Vandeikya

Ethnic Profile: Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Etulo, Abakwa, Jukun, Hausa, Akweya and Nyifon.

The Tiv are the dominant ethnic group, occupying fourteen (14) local government areas, while the Idoma and Igede occupy the remaining nine local government areas.

Economic Profile: Its major agricultural produce include yam, rice, beans, cassava, potatoes, maize, soya beans, sorghum, millet and cocoyam. The state also accounts for over 70% of Nigeria’s soya beans production.

Geographic Location: Its geographic coordinates are longitude 7° 47’ and 10° 0’ East. Latitude 6° 25’ and 8° 8’ north; and shares boundaries with five other states namely: Nassarawa to the north, Taraba to the east, Cross-River to the south, Enugu to the south-west and Kogi to the west. The State also shares a common boundary with the Republic of Cameroun on the south-east.

Landmass: 34,058.3 sq km (13,150 sq mi) – 12th of 27

Benue State covers an area of 34,058.3 square kilometres. It lies at latitude 5°25’ North and longitude 7°30’ East.

Benue gets its name from the Benue River which flows through Makurdi, the state’s capital. The state was originally part of the Northern Region in the three-region structure of 1954. With the creation of twelve federal states by General Yakubu Gowon’s military government in 1967, Benue-Plateau State was established. In 1976 the military government of General Murtala Muhammed created nineteen states out of the existing twelve and Benue-Plateau State was split into Benue and Plateau States.

The Road-Railway Bridge (also known as the Old Bridge) in Makurdi was the first bridge that linked the north and south of Nigeria. It was built in 1932. 

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