Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)

Lore & Background

The area chosen was principally Gwari Land, home to the Gbagyi people, with high concentrations of Muslims and Christians and a high degree of neutrality from dominant ethnic groups.

Reader's Guide

The Federal Capital Territory is significant as the seat of Nigeria's federal government, housing the capital city Abuja. Unlike other Nigerian states, it is not headed by an elected governor but by a Federal Capital Territory minister appointed by the president. The territory lies just north of the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers, at the geographic center of the country. Its creation resolved the overcrowding and expansion limitations of Lagos. The territory contains mineral resources such as marble, tin, clay, mica, and tantalite, and its hills and woodlands host diverse wildlife including leopard, buffalo, elephant, and chimpanzee. The climate is relatively mild, with a hot season from January to April and a rainy season from July to October.

Did You Know?

• The Federal Capital Territory was created from parts of old Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, and Plateau states, with the bulk of land from Niger state.
• The territory is located just north of the confluence of the Niger River and Benue River.
• Minerals found in the FCT include marble, tin, clay, mica, and tantalite.
• The Hausa language is widely spoken in the Federal Capital Territory.