Makurdi

Makurdi[2] is the capital of Benue state[3], Nigeria. The city is located in the Middle Belt along the Benue River and holds the base for the Nigerian Air Force's MiG 21 and SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft squadrons. In 2007, Makurdi had an estimated population of 500,797.[1]

Makurdi
Makurdi
Motto(s):  Food Basket of the Nation
Makurdi Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 7°43′50″N 8°32′10″E
Country	Nigeria
State	Benue State
Government
• Local Government Chairman and the Head of the Local Government Council	Juliana Audu
Population  (2007)[1]
• Total	500,797
Climate	Aw

Demographics

The major ethnic groups are the Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Jukun, Wurkum,Agatu, Etulo,Alagbo,Hausa,Fulani and Nupe.

Education

Makurdi is home to Benue State University, University of Agriculture Makurdi and Nigeria Army School Of Military Engineering, Makurdi.

It is also home to Government Secondary School, North Bank.

Climate

Climate data for Makurdi (1961–1990)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	38.5 (101.3)	39.0 (102.2)	39.5 (103.1)	39.0 (102.2)	37.0 (98.6)	34.0 (93.2)	33.0 (91.4)	32.0 (89.6)	33.0 (91.4)	34.0 (93.2)	35.0 (95.0)	36.0 (96.8)	39.5 (103.1)
Average high °C (°F)	34.8 (94.6)	36.9 (98.4)	37.0 (98.6)	35.0 (95.0)	32.6 (90.7)	31.2 (88.2)	30.0 (86.0)	30.0 (86.0)	30.7 (87.3)	31.7 (89.1)	33.5 (92.3)	34.2 (93.6)	33.1 (91.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)	26.4 (79.5)	28.5 (83.3)	30.0 (86.0)	29.2 (84.6)	27.6 (81.7)	26.4 (79.5)	25.9 (78.6)	25.8 (78.4)	26.0 (78.8)	26.4 (79.5)	26.8 (80.2)	25.2 (77.4)	27.1 (80.8)
Average low °C (°F)	18.4 (65.1)	22.0 (71.6)	24.7 (76.5)	25.0 (77.0)	23.6 (74.5)	22.9 (73.2)	22.5 (72.5)	22.6 (72.7)	22.3 (72.1)	22.5 (72.5)	20.3 (68.5)	17.6 (63.7)	22.0 (71.6)
Record low °C (°F)	10.0 (50.0)	12.0 (53.6)	15.5 (59.9)	20.0 (68.0)	18.0 (64.4)	18.5 (65.3)	19.5 (67.1)	19.5 (67.1)	18.5 (65.3)	19.5 (67.1)	13.0 (55.4)	8.5 (47.3)	8.5 (47.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	3.7 (0.15)	2.0 (0.08)	30.7 (1.21)	91.3 (3.59)	166.2 (6.54)	182.9 (7.20)	212.4 (8.36)	217.8 (8.57)	218.1 (8.59)	109.1 (4.30)	1.8 (0.07)	1.0 (0.04)	1,237 (48.70)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	0.3	0.3	1.7	5.6	8.9	10.3	12.9	13.3	13.3	7.8	0.5	0.2	75.1
Average relative humidity (%) (at 15:00 LST)	26.3	26.8	37.0	50.3	61.5	66.6	69.9	71.3	68.6	63.3	45.1	31.9	51.5
Mean monthly sunshine hours	217.0	212.8	210.8	210.0	213.9	183.0	151.9	145.7	162.0	201.5	240.0	232.5	2,381.1
Mean daily sunshine hours	7.0	7.6	6.8	7.0	6.9	6.1	4.9	4.7	5.4	6.5	8.0	7.5	6.5
Source 1: NOAA[4]
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (extremes and mean temperature)[5]

Transport

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.

Agriculture

Benue State is predominantly an agricultural area specialising in cash crops and subsistence crops.

References

1. "The World Gazetteer". Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2007.
2. "Makurdi | Location, Facts, & Population". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
3. "Government of Benue State". Government of Benue State. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
4. "Makurdi Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
5. "Klimatafel von Makurdi / Nigeria" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 10 August 2016.