List of Niger State Governors

Niger State, located in the north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria, is the largest state in the country by land area. Established on 3 February 1976, the state holds significant historical, cultural, and administrative importance.

AttributeDetails
CapitalMinna
Area76,363 sq. km (29,484 sq. miles)
Population (2005)4,082,558
LanguagesEnglish (Official), Hausa
ISO-3166-2 CodeNG-NI
Date Created3 February 1976
Size Rank (Area)1st in Nigeria
Population Rank18th in Nigeria
Governor (2005)Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu

List of Governors of Niger State

Here is the structured list of administrators and governors of Niger State, highlighting their terms, titles, and political affiliations:

NameTitleTook OfficeLeft OfficePartyNotes
Murtala NyakoAdministratorFebruary 1976December 1977MilitaryFirst administrator after the creation of Niger State from Sokoto State.
Okoh Ebitu UkiweAdministratorDecember 1977July 1978Military
Colonel Joseph OniAdministratorJuly 1978October 1979Military
Malam Awwal IbrahimExecutive GovernorOctober 1979December 1983NPNServed during Nigeria’s Second Republic.
David B. Alechemu MarkAdministratorJanuary 19841986MilitaryLater became Senate President of Nigeria.
Garba Ali MohammedAdministrator1986December 1987Military
Lawan GwadabeAdministratorDecember 1987January 1992Military
Musa InuwaExecutive GovernorJanuary 1992November 1993NRCServed during the brief Third Republic.
Cletus Komena EmeinAdministratorDecember 9, 1993August 22, 1996Military
Simeon OduoyeAdministratorAugust 22, 1996August 1998Military
Habibu Idris ShuaibuAdministratorAugust 1998May 1999MilitaryFinal military administrator before Nigeria’s return to democracy.
Abdulkadir KureExecutive GovernorMay 29, 1999May 29, 2007PDPFirst civilian governor of the Fourth Republic.
Mu’azu Babangida AliyuExecutive GovernorMay 29, 2007May 29, 2015PDPPopularly known as the “Chief Servant.”
Abubakar Sani BelloExecutive GovernorMay 29, 2015May 29, 2023APCFocused on infrastructural development and governance reforms.
Mohammed Umar BagoExecutive GovernorMay 29, 2023IncumbentAPCCurrent governor, prioritizing education, youth development, and security.
Mohammed Umar Bago

Governance in Niger State

  1. Governance Transition: The governance of Niger State transitioned from military to civilian rule multiple times, reflecting Nigeria’s broader political history.
  2. Democracy Milestones: Abdulkadir Kure marked the beginning of stable democratic leadership in Niger State during the Fourth Republic.
  3. Political Shifts: The state saw a transition of leadership between the PDP and APC, with both parties influencing its political and economic trajectory.
  4. Current Focus: Mohammed Umar Bago is prioritizing infrastructure, education, and security in alignment with the state’s developmental goals.

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN NIGER STATE FROM 1976

S/No.NAMEPERIODREMARK
1Navy Commander Murtala NyakoFeb. 1976- 1977Military Governor
2Navy Commander Ebitu Ukiwe1977-1978Military Governor
3Col. Ola Oni1978 – 19791st Military Administrator
4Mal Muhammad Awwai IbrahimOct. 1979 – Dec. 19831st civilian governor
5Col. David A.B. MarkJan. 1984 – Aug 1988Military governor
6Lt. Col. Garba Ali MuhammedAug. 1986 – 1987Military Governor
7Col. Mohammed Lawan GwadabeJan. 1987 – 1992Military Governor
8Dr. Musa Muhammed InuwaJan. 1992 – Nov. 19932nd Civilian Governor
9Col. Cletus K. EmeinDec. 1993 – Aug 1996Military Administrator
10C.P. Simeon O. Oduoye14th Aug 1996 – Aug 1998Military Administrator
11Col. Habibu Idris ShuiabuAug 1998 – May 1999Military Administrator
12Engr. Abdulkhadir A. KureMay 1999 to May 20073rd Civilian Governor
13Dr. Mu’azu Babangida AliyuMay 2007 to date4th Civilian Governor

Creation and Administrative Evolution of Niger State

  • Formation (1976): Niger State was created from the North-Western State during the regime of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed. The state officially began functioning on 1 April 1976 with eight local government areas (LGAs):
    • Chanchaga
    • Rafi
    • Gbako
    • Etswan
    • Suleja
    • Mariga
    • Magama
    • Lavun
  • Etswan Split: Etswan Local Government was later divided into two, forming Agaie and Lapai LGAs.

Expansion and Reorganization of LGAs

  1. Second Republic (1979–1983):
    • Under Mallam Muhammadu Awwal Ibrahim, Niger State’s Executive Governor during the Second Republic, the number of LGAs expanded to eighteen. The new LGAs included:
      • Kuta, Paikoro, Chanchaga, Rafi, Gbako, Katcha, Lemu, Lapai, Agaie, Suleja, Mariga, Bangi, Magama, Auna, Lavun, Mokwa, and Jima-Doko.
  2. Military Rule (1984):
    • When the military returned to power in 1984, the structure reverted to the original eight LGAs. Notably:
      • Chanchaga was split into Minna Municipal Council (Minna as headquarters) and Shiroro LGA (Kuta as headquarters).
  3. LGA Expansion (1991):
    • Under President Ibrahim Babangida, nine additional states and new LGAs were created across Nigeria. Niger State’s LGAs grew to nineteen.
  4. Further Expansion (1996):
    • During General Sani Abacha’s regime, Niger State received six additional LGAs, bringing the total to twenty-five (25). The new LGAs included:
      • Katcha, Munya, Mashegu, Edati, Tafa, and Mariga.
  5. Temporary Expansion (2002):
    • Under the civilian administration of Engr. Abdulkadir A. Kure, seventeen new LGAs were created, increasing the total to forty-two (42). However:
      • This expansion was not gazetted by the National Assembly as required by the Nigerian Constitution.
      • The additional LGAs were dissolved and converted into Area Development Councils, maintaining the status quo of twenty-five (25) LGAs.