Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Makurdi is the capital of Benue state

Makurdi old bridge. The bridge was made primarily for railway, though not for it alone

The town is located on both the North and South banks of River Benue

Founded

Makurdi was established in 1927.

In 1976 it became the capital of Benue State

Makurdi was founded in 1927 when the railroad from Port Harcourt (279 miles, 449 km) south-southwest) was extended to Jos and Kaduna, Makurdi rapidly developed into a transportation and market centre.

In 1976, following the division of Benue-Plateau state into two states, Makurdi was selected as the capital of Benue state

People

Makurdi is located on the ancestral lands of Ihyarev people, a major Tiv clan. However Ihyarev constitute a small part of the population.

Features

Makurdi being an administrative, educational, commercial and military area comprises various persons from different places and backgrounds.

Makurdi has academic institutions of higher learning like Benue State University, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (a federal government university), Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, School of Nursing, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME)

Main gate, Benue State University, Makurdi

School of Health, Benue State University, Makurdi

Another part of School of Health, Benue State University, Makurdi

Secondary schools in Makurdi include Government Secondary School, North-Bank, Special Science Senior Secondary School, Tilley Gyado College, North-Bank, Mount Saint Gabriel Secondary School, Government College, and Government Girls’ Secondary School.

Also located in Makurdi is the headquarters of Nigerian Air force tactical air command, Nigeria Army’s 72 Special Forces (SF) Battalion, Benue State government secretariat, NNPC depot, Nigerian Police Zone 4 headquarters headed by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Central Bank’s branch and many other institutions, organisations and bodies.

The town is divided by the River Benue into the north and south banks, which are connected by two bridges: the railway bridge, which was built in 1932, and the new dual carriage bridge commissioned in 1978.

The southern part of the town is made up of numerous wards, including Central Ward, Old GRA, Ankpa Ward, Wadata Ward, High Level, Wurukum (Low Level), New GRA etc. Important establishments and offices located here include the Government House, The State Secretariat, The Federal Secretariat, Commercial Banks, Police Headquarters, Nigeria Prisons Service, Aper Aku Township Stadium, Nigeria Air force Base, Makurdi, the Makurdi Modern Market, the Federal Medical Centre, Nigeria Railway Station, Benue Printing and Publishing Company Limited, Radio Benue, Nigeria Television authority (NTA), Central Post Office, Benue Hotels, Benue State University.

The North bank area of the town houses among other establishments, the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, the headquarters of the 72 Airborne Battalion and the State Headquarters of the Department of Customs and Excise.

Owing to its location in the valley of River Benue, Makurdi experiences warm temperatures most of the year. The period from November to January, when the harmattan weather is experienced is, however, relatively cool.

Makurdi can be reached by air, rail, road and water. The major northern route is the Makurdi – Lafia – Jos road. The southern routes are Makurdi – Otukpo – Enugu and Makurdi – Yandev – Adikpo – Calabar roads. Traffic from the west comes through Makurdi – (3) – Ankpa (3) – Okene (1) roads and from the east through Makurdi – Yandev – Katsina Ala – Wukari roads. These Makurdi Rail Bridge provides the only rail link between the northern and eastern parts of Nigeria.