Minna

Minna is the capital city of Niger State, a state in the North Central region of Nigeria.

Understand
Minna is the capital city of Niger State, a state in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria with large land mass. As a result of the opening of the Kano to Baro railway in 1911 together with the extension of the Lagos to Jebba line in 1915 to a junction in Minna, the town became a major pick-up point for agricultural products such as groundnuts, cotton, yams, ginger, and rice. Pigs are also shipped by rail to Lagos. Local trade is mainly in sorghum, yams, corn/maize, millet, peanuts, cotton, shea nuts, indigo, kola nuts as well as animals like cattle, guinea fowl, goats and chickens.

Archaeological proofs on record shows that settlement in the area dates back to as early as 47,000–37,000 years ago. The population of the area as of the 2016 census was estimated to be 345,000. The average weather condition of the area is about 29 °C with wind (W) at 16 km/h and 68% humidity.

Get in
Minna has developed as an administrative centre, since it became the capital of Niger state in 1976. Minna is part of the Chanchaga local government area. The area comprises of 2 major ethnic groups which are: the Nupe and the Gwari. There are many ways to get to Minna, but the most convenient and recommended way is by air.

There are numerous available transportation options for travellers and intending visitors who intend to travel across the city and other secluded parts of the northern city. Visitors have the option of travelling to Minna by flight, by railway or by road.

By plane
Another way is by land. This can be either by train or by bus. One can also enter by road either by one's car, by a rented one or bus.

By road
This travel option entails the use of the interstate buses, taxis or private vehicles. Like most of the capital cities in the country, Minna has a standard garage fleet that transports travellers to other parts of the country. These interstate buses usually have major parks that convey travellers from state to state. Nonetheless, travellers from Abuja to Minna would need to use a taxi particularly because of the proximity of the two cities.

Get around
The availability of motorcycles, commuter buses, tricycles, popularly known as keke napeps, and private vehicles, makes getting around Minna city easy and smooth.

Motorcycles
Motorcycles or motorbikes remain the fastest way to get to the interior parts of Minna and it costs about ₦100 for close distances and about ₦250 for farther distances. The motorbike riders start operation from the early hours of the morning to the later end of the day (at night).

Keke Napeps
Tricycles popularly called Keke Napep are vehicles that accommodate four people — three behind and one by the driver's side — and are another major means of getting around the city. These Keke Napeps are usually coloured yellow and white. They convey passengers to and from the various bus stops in the city.

The cost of using a Keke Napep is dependent on the distance of the journey but usually not less than ₦100 per journey. They can be chartered like a taxi and used to transport individuals or items.

Taxis
Taxis are also another major means of getting around the town. With several taxi stops all around the Minna town, getting around the city is easier and less stressful than one could imagine because on normal basis, one might have to take up to three different taxis. to get to a particular destination, These taxis serve as commuter buses because they do not always carry only one passenger except they are chartered. The cost of using a taxi is approximately ₦50.

Talba buses
Talba commuter buses is also an option for navigating round the city. These long talba buses usually leave from their bus parks, and they have some specific popular routes which they apply. The buses cost virtually ₦20 to use but on the other hand, they are slower than all the above mentioned transport options like motorbikes, keke napeps and taxis since they are long like coaster buses and usually need to get filled up before it take off. Additionally, they do not ply remote routes of the town.

See
The city of Minna has several interesting features and landmarks that worth one experience.



Do
Minna is a smaller but an awesome upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit although it may not be as popular as others cities in the country. Visitors and tourists will be amazed by some of the distinct things they can do and places they can explore at this hidden location.


 * The Murtala children park
 * Shiroro Dam Tourist Resort
 * Shiroro Dam Tourist Resort

Buy

 * The Abdulkadir Kure market is an ultra modern market and it is the largest market in the Minna city. The market is split into stores that sell related items in the same area. Items sold in this market are usually more affordable than one would expect them to be. At the Abdukhadi market, household items, food items, clothing items, and so many other items can be seen at ease once one steps into the market.
 * However, visitors in Minna who wish to shop at well structured cloth outlets like boutiques also have options on where to do so. Some of the cloth outlets they could shop from are: Primeage collections, Monday Uptown Ventures, Silver’s Explicit Collection and  Dansmest boutiques.
 * The Abdulkadir Kure market is an ultra modern market and it is the largest market in the Minna city. The market is split into stores that sell related items in the same area. Items sold in this market are usually more affordable than one would expect them to be. At the Abdukhadi market, household items, food items, clothing items, and so many other items can be seen at ease once one steps into the market.
 * However, visitors in Minna who wish to shop at well structured cloth outlets like boutiques also have options on where to do so. Some of the cloth outlets they could shop from are: Primeage collections, Monday Uptown Ventures, Silver’s Explicit Collection and  Dansmest boutiques.

Eat
In Minna, there are good number of hangout and restaurants available for visitors to relax and cool off. Prominent among these spots are listed below as a result of their outstanding services and recommendations from people around the city.
 * Iya Femi. Iya Femi and Mama Rashida are seen as rivals because of the standard similar style of service the give. Both restaurants have local and intercontinental dishes and are along Shiroro Rd, very close to Redeem Church headquarters.
 * Bush Bar on Zungeru road. Like the name implies, bush bar has a touch of a local setting but with the full choice of endless fun. They offer Rafin Yashin and all sorts of both African and non-African Dishes. one is sure to get dishes like roasted fish, fish pepper soup, Nkwobi, and isi ewu for your maximum satisfaction.
 * Ostrich Bakery Minna on Minna – Zungeru Rd. They serve the most delicious bread and cake. They also have ice creams and other confectioneries.
 * Bush Bar on Zungeru road. Like the name implies, bush bar has a touch of a local setting but with the full choice of endless fun. They offer Rafin Yashin and all sorts of both African and non-African Dishes. one is sure to get dishes like roasted fish, fish pepper soup, Nkwobi, and isi ewu for your maximum satisfaction.
 * Ostrich Bakery Minna on Minna – Zungeru Rd. They serve the most delicious bread and cake. They also have ice creams and other confectioneries.

There are also other high-class restaurants and spots such as Chicken Republic, Mr. Biggs, Ostrich bakery, Safara suits, Afro food, and Prom. These are the national restaurants that are well known across the country and they make standard service delivery for customer's satisfaction as well. These restaurants are all easy to locate and situated within Minna town.

Drink
Apart from the standard bars and restaurants in Minna, there are also local bars where visitors can get their tasteful and refined palm wine, local dry gin, bush meat of any type, such as pork meat, dogmeat, bush antelope and so many other local dishes. There are as well in Minna, couple of cool hang out spots for the inhabitants, visitors and tourists. Some of these spots include:

There are also Angwa kate, Tee mama and many others at the outskirts of the town too.
 * FM Bar in the suburban part of the town, although it is a bit away from the city center, but quite easy to find.
 * Honey Bell Spot is at Mandela Junction in Minna Metropolis. Besides being an eatery, it also has lodges for guests. The cool atmosphere is quite convenient for tourism and relaxation. Additionally, all brands of spices can be served as food in Honey Bell and a live band plays. It is notable because of its taste and courtliness. The Honey Bell Restaurant is more of an evening relation spot and it is always a bit stuffed on weekends.

Sleep
There are a couple of accommodation options available for visitors to unwind. Some of these accommodation options include:

Stay safe
It is advisable when travelling by bus to use only the ones from registered motor parks. The reason is due to security reason as there is a rise in abduction cases in the State. Please do use only these vehicles as the use of private vehicles for commercial purposes was banned and anyone caught in the act would be prosecuted except those given special permit by the government. The registered motor parks in Minna are: Abdulsalam, Central, Kpakungu Limawa, NSTA, Mobile, Peace Travel Nice Travel and Kure Market motor parks.