Kogi State was created on 27 August 1991 by the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
The Kogi state was carved out of Old Kabba province of Kwara State and Benue State. It now make up one of the 6 North Central states in Nigeria.
*Take a look at fourteen amazing facts about Kogi, a state which is one of the youngest in Nigeria:*
The word “NIGERIA” was first mentioned In Lokoja, Kogi State.
Queen Elizabeth of England and Nigerian Soldiers
Surprisingly, many Kogi State indigenes and non-indigenes are not aware that the name of our dear country Nigeria was first pronounced in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital by Miss Flora Shaw, a beautiful British journalist who later became the wife of Lord Lugard.
Sir Fredrick Lugard was a British Imperialist and Governor of Northern and southern Protectorates of Nigeria as at then.
Flora Shaw decided to Name the country NIGERA while observing the beauty of the greatest river in Nigeria, the river Niger from the top of Mount Patti.
*2. Lokoja was the first capital of Nigeria*
Lokoja Main Market Pre-colonial era
Lokoja town was established in 1857 by the British imperialists. After the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914, Lokoja remained an administrative town for the British colonial government. Therefore, the first British Governor-General, Sir Frederick Lugard, governed Nigeria from Lokoja.
*3. The oldest primary school in northern Nigeria is in Kogi*
Holy Trinity Lokoja
Holy Trinity Primary School Lokoja was established in 1860 by Bishop Ajayi Crowther. It holds a record as the first primary school to be established in Northern Nigeria. The 150-year old school is located in the premises of the Anglican Church in Lokoja, Kogi State.
*4. Kogi State has enough coal deposit to supply Nigeria with at least 400 years of electricity supply*
Coal mining in Nigeria
One of the coal-rich areas in Kogi State is the Okaba district of Ankpa Local Government Area, this area alone holds a reserves of 99 million tons of coal. By all indication, in properly harnessed, Kogi state alone has enough coal deposit which can supply the whole of Nigeria with electricity for 400 years non-stop.
*5. The “Junction State”*
Map of Nigeria
Kogi state holds a record as the state that has the most boundaries in Nigeria. It shares boundaries with a total of ten other states in the country. This is the reason why Kogi state have earned the Nickname ‘junction state’.
Kogi happens to be the only state in Nigeria which shares a boundary with ten other states.
The ten states sharing borders with Kogi are:
Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria) – to the North
Nasarawa State – to the North East
Benue State – to the East
Enugu State – to the South East
Anambra State – to the South
Edo State – to the South West
Ondo State – to the West
Ekiti State – to the west
Kwara State – to the North West
Niger State – to the North
In most cases, travelers moving to and fro Northern and Southern Nigeria will have to pass through Kogi.
*6. The Iron of Liberty*
Iron of Liberty Lokoja
Lokoja was an important center for slave trade during the 18th and 19th centuries. Eventually when slave trade was made illegal and it is now to be abolished, Lokoja became a collection center for slaves seized from slave merchants that are meant to be set free.
The spot where the slaves were freed is marked with two pieces of iron, and the place is now called the Iron of Liberty. It is a monument any tourist in Lokoja should visit. The place is located along Taiwo road, Lokoja, Kogi State.
*7. Dangote Cement*
Dangote Cement Obajana
Kogi state has the largest deposit of limestone in Nigeria to a volume of over 647 million tones. This huge deposit is expected to last for about 45 years.
With the huge deposit of limestone in Obajana, Kogi State, Dangote Cement Company decided to site its largest cement producing factory in the state. Dangote cement factory was opened in 2008.
Obajana cement factory consists of 13.25mt capacity across four lines, the newest of which was commissioned in 2014. Obajana uses gas for its kilns and power plants until 2014 when it was replaced with coal. The plant is supported by a fleet of over 2,370 trucks.n
Obajana cement have since provided employment opportunities to Kogi state indigenes and Nigerians. Thereby improving the economy of the state.
*8. The Inikpi Statue*
Inikpi Statue in Idah
The Inikpi statue was built in honor and memory of Late Princess Inikpi, the daughter of the first Attah of Igala kingdom who was buried alive on the instruction of the Oracle to restore peace and freedom in Igala land.
She was the daughter of Ayegba Oma Idoko was the Attah of Igala of that time. Another historic site that should be visited in Kogi state..
*9. Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebira land*
Ohinoyi Palace, Okene
Built in 1927. The AZAD PALACE is owned by the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, His Royal Magesty Dr. Ado Ibrahim. The palace is considered the most interesting and beautiful palace in West Africa. It is located in Okene, Kogi State
*10. Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Company*
Ajaokuta Iron and Steel
The multi-billion dollars iron and steel industry, the largest in Nigeria was established in 1971 on a 24,000 hectare land, under the administration of General Yakubu Gowon.
When fully harnessed, Ajaokuta steel company has the potential to provide over 90 thousand direct and indirect employment to both Kogites, Nigerians, and Foreigners.
The industry is viewed as a potential catalyst for the industrialization of Nigeria.
Shocking Similarities between Igala and Okun-Yoruba language
Popular Yoruba people you didn’t know were from Kogi
*11. Confluence of River Niger and Benue*
Confluence of River and Benue
Lokoja is well known and celebrated for is its confluence. Lokoja is where the two great rivers of West Africa: Niger and Benue meet. A natural tourist site to behold.
River Benue and River Niger are the two largest rivers in West Africa. They meet to form a Y-Shape which can be seen on the map of Nigeria.
*12. Mount Patti*
Mount Patti Lokoja
The height of Mount Patti Hill is 1503 feet tall. It is a mountain and also a tourist attraction in Lokoja, Nigeria. It is known for being the place where British journalist and writer Flora Louise Shaw gave Nigeria its name after seeing the beauty of River Niger and Benue from the top.
One of the most fascinating facts about Kogi state is that the Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue can be seen clearly from the flat top of Mount Patti.
Every weekend, tourists and hikers gather in large numbers to climb the mountain either for tourism, sightseeing, or for physical fitness.
*13. Kogi State has large deposit of at least 30 mineral resources*
Natural Resources in Kogi
Kogi State is blessed with mineral resources in commercial quantity.
Some of the minerals resources are: Crude oil, gold, coal, bitumen, Magnesium, Gemstones, Iron ore, Cassiterite, Tantalite, and Columbite, Limestone, Marble, Clay, Mica, Silica sand, Feldspar, Dolomite, Gypsum, Kaolin, Talc, Tin, Quartz, etc.
*14. Jimgbe beach*
Jimgbe Sand
Some call it a desert, while others call it a beach.
It is the sandy river bed of the great River Niger, the Largest river in West Africa. During dry season, River Niger shrinks and exposes the huge sand deposited at the bottom of the river. This river bed is so massive and beautiful, it attracts tourists from within and outside of Kogi State. The sand deposit is located in Jimgbe, along Lokoja-Ajoukuta Road in Ajaokuta local government Area of Kogi State.