Lokoja

Lokoja is a historic city situated in Kogi State, central Nigeria, at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers. It was founded in 1857 by the British explorer William Balfour Baikie, who established a trading post on the Niger River. The site had earlier been ceded to the British in 1841 by the Ata of Idah, and by 1860 it hosted the first British consulate in the interior, later becoming the headquarters of the Royal Niger Company.

During the colonial period, Lokoja served as the capital of the Northern Nigeria Protectorate, with Sir Frederick Lugard administering the territory from the city. After the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914, it remained an important administrative center until Kogi State was created in 1991, when Lokoja was designated the capital. Today, the city is a major commercial hub, collecting agricultural produce such as cotton, leather, palm oil, yams, and cassava for export and domestic trade.

The Lokoja Local Government Area has a population of approximately 282,969 and covers an area of about 3,160 square kilometers. The city is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups, including the Bassa Nge, Yoruba (Oworo), Nupe, Hausa, Ebira, Igala, and Igbo, making it a vibrant melting pot of Nigerian cultures and traditions.