North Central
Benue State
Capital: Makurdi · Created 1976 · ≈6.1 million · Area 34,059 km²
Population
≈6.1 million
Size
34,059 km²
Capital
Makurdi
Year created
1976
Geopolitical zone
North Central
Languages
Tiv · Idoma · Igede · English
Ethnic groups
- Tiv (majority)
- Idoma
- Igede
- Etulo
Natural resources
- Limestone
- Coal
- Kaolin
- Barite
- Lead-zinc
- Salt
- Gemstones
Signature foods
- Ruam kunun (guinea-corn balls)
- Genger (yam pottage)
- Alekwu soup
- Zage-zage rice
Notable people
- Aper Aku (former governor)
- David Mark (former Senate President)
- George Akume (politician)
- Joseph Yobo (footballer — Idoma roots)
Culture, values & festivals
- Tiv Kwagh-hir puppet theatre (UNESCO intangible heritage)
- Swange dance
- Alekwu and other Idoma ancestor festivals
- Yam is the primary staple — 'food basket of the nation'
Top places to visit in Benue
- 1
Ikwe Holiday Resort, Makurdi
Riverside resort on the Benue River.
- 2
Ushongo Hills
Scenic hills with hiking trails.
- 3
Katsina-Ala Cliffs
Dramatic river cliffs and archaeological sites.
- 4
Ogba Waterfall
Cascading falls in Ushongo LGA.
About the North Central
Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau. Food basket of the nation, Jos Plateau tin mines, Middle Belt.