This guide comprehensively lists all the Benue state local government areas along with their chairman names. Benue State, located in the North Central region of Nigeria was created on February 3, 1976, from the former Benue-Plateau State.
The state is named after the Benue River, the second-largest river in Nigeria. Benue covers an area of 34,059 square kilometers and is bordered by several states including Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, and Enugu. The state is mostly rural, with a population of 6.62 million people as of 2025 population projection.
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List Of Benue State Local Government Areas And Their Chairman
Benue State has a total of twenty-three (23) Local Government Areas (LGAs):
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- Ado – Mrs. Gloria Ogebe
- Agatu – Philip Ebenyaku
- Apa – Ochai Alidu
- Buruku – Agber Cephas
- Gboko – Verlumun Avar
- Guma – Unongo Simon
- Gwer East – Mrs. Comfort Agbo
- Gwer West – Henry Agba
- Katsina-Ala – Shaku Justine
- Konshisha – Philip Achuah
- Kwande – Neji Vitalis Terhile
- Logo – Benjamin Uzenda
- Makurdi – James Dwem
- Obi – Adekpe Onum
- Ogbadibo – Emmanuel Agada Aba
- Ohimini – Adugbo Idoko Fred
- Oju – Ire Arubi
- Okpokwu – Onyilo Douglas Omale
- Otukpo – Wilson Eche
- Tarka – Roy Terna Ashirga
- Ukum – Iorzaa Victor
- Ushongo – Mvendaga Atetan
- Vandeikya – Guda Terkimbi Dennis
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What Is The Most Developed LGA In Benue State?
Otukpo is considered the most developed Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State. This is due to its economic activities, and modern infrastructure.
Otukpo is one of the oldest towns in the state and is seen as a cultural and administrative center for the Idoma people.
The Och’Idoma Palace, located in the town, is a symbol of traditional leadership for the Idoma ethnic group, and this cultural importance has helped boost its development.
Also, the town’s economic activities are diverse, making it a commercial hub in the region. Otukpo has a bustling local market that attracts traders from surrounding areas.
Key economic activities in the area are agriculture, with the production of crops like rice, yam, cassava, and maize. These crops are important for both the local economy and for trade with other regions.
Plus, the area supports cottage industries, like the production of sandal and clay bricks, which provide jobs and boost the local economy.
Additionally, Otukpo is home to several banks and financial institutions, which support local businesses and help facilitate economic activities.
In terms of infrastructure, Otukpo stands out in Benue State. The town is well-connected by road, with major highways linking it to other parts of the state and beyond.
This makes it easier for people to travel, trade, and access services. Moreover, Otukpo has a railway station along the Port Harcourt to Kaduna line.
The town also provides essential social amenities, such as schools, hospitals, and recreational centers, which improve the living standards of its residents.
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What Is The Largest Local Government Area In Benue State?
The largest Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State by land area is Gboko. Gboko covers a total area of 2,264 square kilometers and is located in the central part of the state.
Gboko is also the most populated LGA in the state, with a population of 561,818 according to the 2025 population projection.
The town of Gboko, which serves as the headquarters of the LGA, holds great cultural and historical importance. It is the ancestral home of the Tiv people, who are the main ethnic group in the area.
The Tor Tiv, who is the traditional leader of the Tiv people, has his palace in the town of Gboko. Gboko is also known for its strong agricultural base. The LGA is rich in natural resources like limestone, granite, barite, and alluvial clay.
Also, the majority of the people in Gboko engage in farming, with crops such as yams, cassava, rice, and maize being grown in large quantities.
Besides farming, Gboko has a thriving trade space, with markets like Ortese, Ikpa, and Tarukpe being popular places for locals to buy and sell goods.
The economy of Gboko is also supported by industries such as the Dangote Cement Company, which was once the Benue Cement Company. However, the LGA experiences a tropical savanna climate, with both dry and wet seasons.
The average temperature is around 28 degrees Celsius, and the area receives an annual rainfall of about 136 millimeters.
