Rivers State

Rivers State (Igbo: Ȯra Rivers), also known simply as Rivers, is a state in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Formed in 1967, when it split from the former Eastern Region, Rivers State borders Imo, Abia and Anambra States to the north, Akwa Ibom State to the east, and Bayelsa and Delta states to the west. The state capital, Port Harcourt, is a metropolis that is considered the commercial center of the Nigerian oil industry.[5][6]

With a population of 5,198,716 as of the 2006 census, Rivers State is the 6th most populous state in the country.[7] Rivers State is a diverse state that is home to many ethnic groups, including the Ikwerre, Ogba, Ijaw, and Ogoni peoples. The state is particularly noted for its linguistic diversity, with 28 indigenous languages being said to be spoken in Rivers State.[8] The 26th largest state by area, Rivers States’s geography is dominated by the numerous rivers that flow through it, including the Bonny River.

The economy of Rivers State is dominated by the state’s booming petroleum industry. Though the rise of the oil industry has led to increased revenue for the state government, mismanagement and corruption have prevented the state from meaningfully tackling rampant poverty.[9] During the 2010s, Rivers State saw a rise in the number of cult killings committed within the state.[10] In 2019, Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike controversially declared Rivers State to be a Christian state.[11][12]