Lokoja

Lokoja is a Local Government Area in Kogi State, north-central Nigeria, and the state capital since Kogi was created on 27 August 1991. The town lies at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers at coordinates 7.8023° N, 6.7333° E, with a 2006 census population of 195,261, a land area of 3,180 km², and the township postal code is 260.

Towns and Villages in Lokoja

The LGA contains around 140 named settlements:

Geography

Lokoja sits on the western bank of the Niger River at its confluence with the Benue, at an altitude of 45–125 metres above sea level. The town is dominated by Mount Patti, a flat-topped hill rising 458 metres above the surrounding plain. Kogi State is nicknamed the “Confluence State” after this geography.

Demographics

The 2006 census recorded the LGA population at 195,261. Major ethnic groups include the Nupe, Kupa, Kakanda and Oworo (Yoruba) peoples. Hausa, Yoruba, Igala and English are commonly spoken; Christianity and Islam are both practised.

Economy and Local Life

Lokoja is the administrative and commercial hub of Kogi State. The Federal University Lokoja, the Kogi State Polytechnic Itakpe, and the Kogi State Specialist Hospital are major institutions. Trade, river fishing, government services and tourism (the confluence site, Mount Patti) drive the local economy.

History

The modern settlement at Lokoja was established in 1857 by the British explorer William Baikie at the site of an earlier model farm from the failed 1841 Niger expedition. In the early 1900s the town served as the colonial capital of the Northern Nigeria Protectorate until 1903. Lokoja was designated capital of the newly created Kogi State in 1991, when the state was formed from parts of Benue, Niger and Kwara states.

Getting There

Lokoja is roughly 165 km south-west of Abuja, the federal capital, along the Abuja–Lokoja highway. The Niger Bridge at Jamata connects Lokoja to the eastern bank and the road network to Anambra and Enugu states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Lokoja located?

Lokoja is the capital of Kogi State in north-central Nigeria, at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers.

What is the population of Lokoja?

The Lokoja Local Government Area had a population of 195,261 according to the 2006 census.

How big is Lokoja?

Lokoja LGA covers a total land area of 3,180 square kilometres.

What is the postal code of Lokoja?

The postal code for Lokoja township is 260.

When did Lokoja become a state capital?

Lokoja was designated the capital of Kogi State in 1991, when the state was created from parts of Benue, Niger and Kwara states.

Why is Kogi called the Confluence State?

The confluence of the Rivers Niger and Benue occurs at Lokoja, the state capital — hence the nickname.