Kogi (State, Middle-belt)

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Built around the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers at Lokoja, Kogi state was created from parts of Benue and Kwara states on 27 August, 1991. It is sub-divided into 21 Local Government Areas: Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, lbaji, ldah, lgalamela-Odolu, ljumu, Kabba/Bunu, Kogi, Lokoja, Mopa-Muro, Ofu, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, Okene, Olamaboro, Omala, Yagba East and Yagba West. Kogi state common borders with Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Edo, Kwara, Enugu, and Anambra states, while the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, lies to its north.

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Kogi state's 30,000 square kilometre land mass is split into almost equal halves by the Niger Rivar as it makes its way down to the Atlantic Ocean;creating two district banks to its west and east. Besides the administration capital Lokoja, major town in Kogi state include: Ajaokuta, home to Nigeria's foremost steel factory; Obajana, the site of Nigeria's largest cement factory operated by the Dangote Group; as well as Kabba, Okene, Ankpa, Koton-Karfe, and ldah.

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Kogi state has an estimated population of about 4 million comprising dominant natives lgala, Ebira, Kabba and Okun, among other smaller ethnic groups, and a large number of non-indigenes especially in the bushing city centre Lokoja. Due to Lokoja's central location as a transit link between the northern and southern parts of the federation, it has grown to become a major hub for the road transport industry: most shuttle operators make scheduled stops in the town to re-fuel, while passengers refresh themselves in readiness for the second lap of their journey. As would be expected of a confluence town, Lokoja, and indeed Kogi state as a whole, is fairly cosmopolitan.

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Long before the state took its current political form, diverse peoples from different parts of the federation had co-existed peacefully at Lokoja. The town was an important trading post during the colonial era, and was one of the major administrative centres for the Northern Protectorate. Some of the offices used by the British in those days, including the residence of Lord Lugard, have been preserved and are often visited by tourists to the town