Rivers State

Rivers State is located in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria. It was created on 27 May 1967 and shares borders with Imo State and Anambra State to the north, Abia and Akwa Ibom State to the east, and Bayelsa State and Delta to the west. The state capital, Port Harcourt, is a major city and serves as the commercial hub of Nigeria’s oil industry.

Rivers State had a population of 5.2 million in the 2006 census, which grew to an estimated 9.9 million by 2024,^[4] making it the 4th most populous state in Nigeria. It is home to many ethnic groups such as the Ikwerre, Etche, Ndoki, Asa, Ogba, Ekpeye, Degema, Ijaw, Ogoni, and Kalabari.^[5]

The state is also known for its linguistic diversity, with about 30 Indigenous languages spoken, including Ikwerre, Ekpeye, Ijaw, Kalabari, Ogbia, and Ogoni. Rivers is the 25th largest state by land area, and its landscape is shaped by the many rivers that run through it, including the Bonny River.

The economy of Rivers State is mainly driven by the petroleum industry, which provides large revenues but has also been affected by corruption and poor management, slowing development and efforts to reduce poverty. Despite these challenges, Rivers State is regarded as one of the fastest-growing in Nigeria when it comes to modern infrastructure and urban development.