| Official Name: | Makurdi | ||||||
| Settlement Type: | LGA and State Capital | ||||||
| Pushpin Map: | Nigeria | ||||||
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 250 | ||||||
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Nigeria | ||||||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||||||
| Subdivision Name: |  Nigeria | ||||||
| Subdivision Name1: | Benue State | ||||||
| Leader Title: | Local Government Chairman and the Head of the Local Government Council | ||||||
| Unit Pref: | Metric | ||||||
| Area Total Km2: | 937.4 | ||||||
| Population As Of: | 2022 | ||||||
| Population Footnotes: | [1] | ||||||
| Population Total: | 433,700 | ||||||
| Population Density Km2: | auto | ||||||
| Population Blank1 Title: | Ethnicities | ||||||
| Population Blank2 Title: | Religions | ||||||
| Timezone: | WAT | ||||||
| Utc Offset: | +1 | ||||||
| Coordinates: | 7.7333°N 38°W | ||||||
| Module: |
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| Postal Code Type: | 3-digit postal code prefix |
Makurdi is the capital of Benue State, located in central Nigeria,[2] and part of the Middle Belt region of central Nigeria. The city is situated on the south bank of the Benue River. In 2016, Makurdi and the surrounding areas had an estimated population of 365,000.[3] [4] [5]
Makurdi was established in 1927. In 1976, it became the capital of Benue State.
This city was one of the sites of the End SARS protests in 2020.[6]
The major ethnic groups are the Tiv,[7] Idoma, Igede, Jukun, Agatu, Etulo, Alago, Igbo.
Makurdi is home to Benue State University; University of Agriculture, Makurdi; Nigeria Army School Of Military Engineering, Makurdi; and Akawe Torkula Polytechnic,[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] ATP, Makurdi.
There are secondary schools located in Makurdi including Government Secondary School, North-Bank, Special Science Senior Secondary School, Tilley Gyado College, North-Bank,[13] Mount Saint Gabriel Secondary School, Government College, and Government Girls' Secondary School.
Makurdi is located on the banks of Benue River, a major tributary of the Niger River.
It is on the main narrow gauge railway line running north from Port Harcourt. There are regular bus services linking Makurdi to neighbouring towns.
Until a road rail bridge was built in 1932, a train ferry was used to cross the Benue river.
There is an airport in Makurdi.
Makurdi contains the base for the Nigerian Air Force's CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder, MiG 21 and SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft squadrons and the Nigeria Army's 72 Special Forces (SF) Battalion[14]
Benue State is predominantly an agricultural area specialising in cash crops and subsistence crops.
Makurdi's air is contaminated with particulate matter, which can enter the deepest parts of the lung and pose a significant health risk, including increased asthma attacks, bronchitis, and other lung diseases.[15] [16] [17]
Limestone and marble can be found in the area.