BI Town

Minna, town, capital of Niger state, North-Central Nigeria. Following the opening of the Kano-to-Baro railway (1911) and the extension of the Lagos-to-Jebba line (1915) to a junction in Minna, the town became a major collecting point for agricultural products, including peanuts (groundnuts), cotton, yams, shea nuts, ginger, and rice. Pigs are also shipped by rail to Lagos. Local trade is mainly in sorghum, yams, corn (maize), millet, peanuts, cotton, shea nuts, indigo, kola nuts, cattle, goats, chickens, and guinea fowl. The town is known for its woven and dyed cotton cloth, raffia mats and baskets, pottery, and brassware. Modern industry includes a brick-making plant. There is a marble quarry nearby. Since becoming the capital of Niger state in 1976, Minna has developed as an administrative centre. It is home to the Federal University of Technology (1983), teacher-training colleges (Niger State College of Education), and several hospitals. It is also the radio broadcasting centre for the state and is a hub for local roads serving the southern part of the state. Minna is part of the Chanchaga local government area. Population according to the 2006census estimated at 345,000.