August 2025

Statue of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, the Oba of Benin from 1888 to 1897.

Location: Ring Road (King Square), Benin City, Edo State, 

Nigeria. 

A homeless man takes a nap next to the statue of Oba Ovonramwen.

On this map, the Ovonramwen statue is located between Airport Road and Oba Palace gate.

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Igun Street, Benin City, Edo State

Igun Street is located between Sokponba Road and Akpakpava Road in Benin City, Edo State.

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Kano State, Nigeria: Overview

Kano is one of the original Hausa Bakwai (seven legitimate Hausa states), founded around 999 AD. It thrived as a hub for trans-Saharan trade, dealing in goods like salt, cloth, and gold.

• Sokoto Caliphate: Conquered during the Fulani Jihad  (1804 – 1808) led by Usman dan Fodio, Kano became a key emirate within the Sokoto Caliphate.

• Colonial Era: British colonization began in 1903; Kano became a center for groundnut production.

• Post-Independence: Created as a state in 1967 during Nigeria’s state formation under General Yakubu Gowon, splitting from the Northern Region. 

Geography and Demographic

• Locations: Northern Nigeria, bordered by Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, and Bauchi states.

• Climate: Sahelian, with a rainy season (June – September) and harsh dry season.

• Population: Over 9 million (2006 census), estimates now exceed 15 million, making it Nigeria’s most populous state.

• Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Hausa and Fulani, with minorities like Kanuri and Igbo.

• Religion: Majority Muslim (approximately 90%), with Christian and traditionalist minorities.

Economy

• Agriculture: Major producer of groundnuts (historically famous for “groundnut pyramids”), millet, sorghum, and rice. Livestock rearing is significant.

• Industry: Textiles (including ancient indigo dye pits), tanning, plastics, and food processing. The Kano Free Trade Zone boosts manufacturing and exports.

• Commerce: Home to West Africa’s largest market, Kantin Kwari, and Kurmi Market. A hub for informal trade across Africa.

• Infrastructure: Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and rail links to Lagos and Port Harcourt.

Culture and Tourism

• Landmarks: Ancient 14th century city walls, Gidan Makama Museum, Emir’s Palace, and the Great Mosque.

• Festivals: Durbar festival (colorful horse-riding parades during Eid) and Islamic celebrations.

• Crafts: Traditional pottery, weaving, and the renowned Kano durbar garments (babban riga).

Education and Institutions

• Tertiary Education: Bayero University Kano (BUK), Kano State University of Science and Technology, and Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology.

• Challenges: High youth unemployment and literacy rates below the national average.

Governance and Politics

• Current Governor: Abba Yusuf (New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP) as of 2023.

• Political Significance: A swing state with high voter turnout, often pivotal in national elections.

Challenges

• Security: Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and farmer-herder conflicts.

• Environment: Desertification, deforestation, and water scarcity.

• Health: Struggles with maternal mortality, malnutrition, and periodic disease outbreaks.

Tourism and Development

• Efforts to promote historical sites and cultural festivals to diversify the economy.

• Infrastructure projects, including the Kano-Maradi (Niger Republic) rail line, aimed at enhancing regional trade.

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Rivers State, Nigeria: An Overview

Geography and Climate:

• Location: Southern Nigeria, part of the Niger Delta region.

• Capital: Port Harcourt, a major economic hub in Nigeria.

• Area: Approximately 11,077 km2.

• Terrain: Largely riverine with numerous rivers, creeks, and mangrove swamps.

• Climates: Tropical, featuring wet (April – October) and dry (November – March) seasons.

Demographics:

Population: Estimated at 5 – 7 million (varies by source).

Major Ethnic Groups: Ikwere, Ogoni, Ijaw, Etche, and Okrika.

Languages: English (official), with indigenous languages like Ikwere, Khana, and Kalabari.

Economy:

Oil and Gas: Heart of Nigeria’s oil industry, hosting major facilities like Port Harcourt Refinery and Bonny LNG Terminal.

Agriculture: Fishing and crop farming (oil palm, yam, cassava) despite environmental challenges.

Commerce: Port Harcourt’s strategic port enhances trade and shipping.

Culture:

Festivals: Ogoni Day, Ikwere Cultural Festival, and traditional masquerades.

Cuisine: Seafood-centric dishes, plantains, and local specialties like banga soup.

Music and Arts: Rich in highlife music and traditional dance; notable for Niger Delta literature and activism.

Education and Infrastructure:

Universities: University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University.

Transport: Port Harcourt International Airport, extensive river networks, and roadways (though some need rehabilitation).

Tourism:

Attractions: Port Harcourt Tourist Beach, Isaac Boro Park, Finima Nature Park.

Cultural Sites: Ogoni Monument, traditional craft markets.

Challenges:

Environmental Issues: Oil spills, gas flaring, and deforestation impacting health and livelihoods.

Socio-Economic: Resource curse paradox, militancy (e.g., MEND), and infrastructural deficits.

Health: Pollution-related diseases and limited healthcare access in rural areas.

Politics and Governance:

Administration: 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs). 

Notable History: Role in environmental activism (e.g., Ken Saro-Wiwa and MOSOP).

Notable Features:

Bony Island: Key LNG production site.

Sports: Home to Rivers United FC and notable athletes.

An outline of the map of Rivers State in the southern part of Nigeria.

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Due to high cost of transportation and insecurity in farming communities, locally produced foods have become very expensive. While it is difficult for ordinary Nigerians to change government policies responsible for increased transportation cost, it is possible to adopt new techniques capable of boosting agricultural activities in both urban and rural areas of the country. 

In the past, Nigerians depended heavily on rivers and lakes for fish but today there are tens of thousand of fish ponds producing cat fish and other fish species for the Nigerian populace. The success of the cat fish pond experiment should be a model for transiting from cultivating large acres of lands in rural communities that are plagued by bandits and conflicts to food crops cultivation in urban centers. Yam, potato, tomato, pepper, okra, beans, pineapple, and leafy vegetables are some examples of crops that can be cultivated in towns and cities where there are little or no arable lands.

Agriculture has been a major employer of  labor for vast majority of Nigerians, especially in northern Nigeria where people  rely heavily on traditional methods of farming that limit productivity. This is further complicated by negative effects of climate change stemming from unpredictable weather conditions, floods, and droughts Many farmers in norther Nigeria abandoned their farmlands while fleeing their communities due to insecurity posed by Boko Haram insurgency. Crops cultivation in the North Central, South West, and South South are threatened by cattle-grazing, leading to farmer-herder clashes. Cattle rustling in northwestern states like Zamfara has become a major challenge. Environmental degradation in the forms of deforestation, soil erosion, and desertification are also affecting food production in northern Nigeria.

It is estimated that Nigeria losses 30 to 40 percent of its annual crops produce due to poor transportation and inadequate storage facilities. Bad roads, underdeveloped supply chain, and poverty amongst farmer workers are limiting agricultural outputs and driving up prices of food items in a country grappling with how to feed its rapidly increasing population. 

Nigeria depends heavily on food importation hence it is adversely affected by the Russia-Ukraine war and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A 2023 data revealed that 25 million Nigerians were impacted by food insecurity. Majority of the people affected were in the northeast region of Nigeria where there is a large population of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons).

Recently, there the security situation in the northeast region has improved tremendously and government is relocating people back to their communities. Large expanse of farmlands have been re-cultivated by resettled IDPs, many of whom abandoned their communities fifteen years ago.

Agricultural modernization, infrastructure investment, economic reforms, policy enhancement, and conflict resolution are key solutions and recommendations to tackle food insecurity in Nigeria.

Bayelsa State, Nigeria: An Overview

• Location: Situated in southern Nigeria, within the Niger Delta region.

• Terrain: Characterized by waterways, mangrove swamps, and a marshy environment.

• Capital: Yenagoa

• Creation: Established on October 1, 1996, during General Sani Abacha’s regime, carved out of Rivers State.

• Name Origin: Acronym from former local government areas – Brass (BA), Yenagoa (YE), and Sagbama (SA).

• Population: Predominantly Ijaw people, with minorities like Epie-Atissa and Ogbia.

• Major Towns: Yenagoa (capital), Brass, Nembe, Ogbia, and Sagbama.

• Oil and Gas: Central to the economy, with significant oil reserves contributing to Nigeria’s oil output.

• Other Sectors: Fishing, agriculture (cassava, plantains, palm oil), and emerging tourism.

• Challenges: Environmental degradation from oil spills, leading to conflicts over resource control and economic disparities.

• Ethnic Heritage: Rich Ijaw traditions, including festivals like Ijaw National Day and Bayelsa Cultural Festival.

• Arts and Festivals: Traditional boat regattas, masquerades, and dance forms such as “Iria” ceremony.

• Attire: Colorful traditional outfits worn during cultural events.

• Oil Pollution: Frequent spills damaging ecosystems, affecting fishing and farming.

• Activism: Historical militancy (e.g., MEND) advocating for environmental justice and resource equity.

• Notable Figures: Goodluck Jonathan (former Nigerian President) and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (first elected governor).

• Administration: Divided into eight local government areas, with ongoing challenges in infrastructure and public services.

• Institutions: Niger Delta University (Amassoma), Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education.

• Challenges: Access to quality education and healthcare hindered by environmental factors and underdevelopment.

• Attractions: Niger Delta wetlands, Oloibiri Oil Museum (site of Nigeria’s first oil well), and Oxbow Lake in Yenagoa.

• Challenges: Underdeveloped tourism infrastructure despite natural and cultural assets.

• Primary Modes: Water transport dominates due to riverine terrain; limited road networks connect major towns.

• Land Area: Approximately 10,773 km2 , among Nigeria’s smallest states.

• Language: Ijaw dialects, with English as the official language.

A section of the map of Nigeria showing Bayelsa State.

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Ado LGA is one of the 23 Local Government Areas in Benue State, Known as Nigeria’s ‘Food Basket” due to its africultural prominence. Located in the southern part of the state, Ado play a significant role in the region’s agrarian economy.

Geography and Location

• Location: Ado is located in southern Benue State, bordered by Cross River State to the south and Ebonyi State to the southeast.

• Capital: Igumale is the administrative and commercial hub of Ado Local Government Area.

• Terrain: Features undulating hills, fertile plains, and rivers, typical of the Benue Valley.

Demographics

• Population: Estimated over 200,000 residents (projected from 2006 to census data).

• Ethnic Groups: Idoma and Igede peoples are the major ethnic groups in Ado.

• Language: English is the official language. Igede and Idoma are widely spoken.

Economy

• Agriculture: Key crops produced in Ado include yam, cassava, maize, and rice. Livestock rearing (cattle, goats, poultry) is also common.

• Challenges: Economic growth is hindered by limited infrastructure, poor road networks and market access.

Culture and Traditions

• Festivals: Alekwu ancestral festival, celebrating Idoma heritage through rituals and dances.

• Traditional Governance: Led by chiefs and the Och’Idoma, the paramount ruler of the Idoma people.

Infrastructure and Services

• Education: Limited access to primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.

• Healthcare: Primary health centers and a general hospital are located in Igumale, though rural access remains challenging.

• Transportation: Poor road conditions affect trade; reliance on generators due to erratic electrical power supply.

Tourism and Environment

• Attractions: Utonkon Hill and scenic landscapes; potential for eco-tourism.

• Climate: Tropical with distinct wet (April to October) and dry seasons.

Challenges

• Security: Livelihoods are disrupted by farmer-herder conflicts and communal clashes.

• Socioeconomic Issues: There is high rate of poverty, unemployment, and environmental degradation (erosion and deforestation).

Administrative Politics

• Structure: Ado Local Government Area is administered by a local government council headed by an elected chairman, with councilors representing 10 wards.

• History: Ado was created during Nigeria’s 1976 local government reforms.

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Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja (Peller) is a very popular Nigerian social media content creator famous for his hilarious Yoruba accent while speaking the English language. Although many people consider him funny, Peller said “Am Not A Commedian.” Rather, he described himself as a streamer/influencer/gamer.

Hamzat has become one of the most successful TIkTok content creator in Nigeria. His TikTok handle @realpeller has over 8 million followers and 291 million likes. Due to his enormous popularity, he attracted the attentions of famous Nigerian artists, leading to collaborations with Davido, Olamide and Dax.

There is no official record of Peller’s net worth except that he claimed he made ten million Naira in a single TikTok Live event. He also generates revenue from his monetized YouTube account which has over two hundred thousand subscribers.

Peller was born on the 10th of May, 2005 in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria. He had a primary education at Providence Primary School and a secondary school education at Frontrunner Academy. He is of Yoruba ancestry and a muslim.

On 8 July, 2024, he won Trace Award Africa’s Best Content Creator.

On Nigeria is about places, people and things in Nigeria. Anyone seeking information about Nigeria will find  here useful materials in forms of photos, videos, and articles. By dividing the site into the six geopolitical zones, the thirty six states, the 774 local governments, towns and cities in Nigeria, building On Nigeria is constructing Nigeria on the web.  Therefore, On Nigeria can be identified as Nigeria, and rather than say ‘Welcome to On Nigeria,’ we say Welcome to Nigeria!

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Most Nigerians are accustom to various techniques utilized for separating small stone particles from locally produced grains such as rice or beans. Biting stones while eating rice is common experience to a typical Nigerian because of the large size of the stones and the teeth-cracking painful shock whenever stones are bitten while eating rice or beans. What really is the cause of the presence of stones in Nigerian made rice. Locally produced grains are dried on rocks during processing and the stones are small fragments from the rocks. Patiently selecting grains of rice on a flat used to be the most common method of separating stones from rice. 

The amount of rocky materials in locally produced grains are mild when compared to locally processed foods such as grounded pepper, Akamu, Amala, fufu, starch, and Garri. Nigerians consume a lot of sand particles while eating these food items that processed in the backyards of private residences without inspection from any governmental agency. People without training of food handling or proper hygiene can process these food items locally using crude technics.

If anyone is interested in investigate the amount of sand in grounded pepper in order to know how much sand he’s been consuming, simply buy grounded pepper from the market, dissolve it in a bowl of large quantity of water, shake the bowls, and pour out the water gently. You will find unimaginable large amount of residual grains of sand sediment. Buy Akamu or starch from the market, dissolve it a bowl of water, shake the bowl and pour out the the liquid. You will find similar result.

After carrying out these experiments, people will be surprised by the amount of sand particles in the food items they have been buying from road-side sellers.