Nasarawa State, Nigeria: An Overview

1. Creation and Location:

• Established on October 1, 1996, carved out of Plateau State.

• Located in North-Central Nigeria, bordered by Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Kaduna, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).

2. Capital:

• Lafia serves as the state capital and administrative hub.

3. Demographics:

• Population: Approximately 2.5 million (2022 estimates).

• Ethnic Groups: Diverse, including Eggon, Alago, Tiv, Gwandara, Agatu, Hausa, and Fulani.

• Languages: English (official), Hausa, and indigenous languages.

4. Economy:

• Agriculture: Major producer of yam, cassava, rice, millet, maize, sesame, and soybeans. Known as the "Home of Solid Minerals" due to deposits of salt, limestone, baryte, and coal.

• Mining: Active extraction of minerals, contributing to local and national economies.

5. Education:

• Nasarawa State University (NSUK) in Keffi is the primary tertiary institution.

• Other institutions include Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa and College of Education, Akwanga.

6. Tourism:

• Farin Ruwa Falls: One of Nigeria's highest waterfalls, located in the Wamba region.

• Hunting Grounds: Traditional game reserves in Awe and Keana.

• Salt Village (Keana): Historical salt-mining site.

• Nasarawa Eggon Hills: Cultural and hiking attraction.

7. Administrative Structure: 

• 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs), including Akwanga, Keffi, Nasarawa, and Doma.

8. Governance:

• Current Governor: Engr. Abdullahi Sule (APC), in office since 2019.

• Deputy Governor: Dr. Emmanuel Akabe.

9. Challenges:

• Ethnic/Communal Conflicts: Occasional clashes over land and resources.

• Infrastructure Deficits: Limited road networks and healthcare facilities.

• Security Issues: Banditry and farmer-herder tensions in some areas.

10. Cultural Heritage:

• Rich traditions with festivals like the Eggon Cultural Festival and Alago Festival.