BRIEF HISTORY OF NUPE PEOPLE

BRIEF HISTORY OF NUPE PEOPLE

The Nupe traditionally called the Nupawa by the Hausas and Tapa by the Yorubas are an ethnic group native to the Middle Belt of Nigeria, and are the dominant ethnicity in Niger State, an important minority in Kwara State.

The Nupe are also present in Kogi State, as well in the Federal Capital Territory. The Nupe consist of several subgroups of these people that all speak related languages. The Nupe trace their origins back to Tsoede an Igala prince from Idah during the 15th century. The Nupe state was brought about by conquest. They were influenced by the surrounding peoples’ culture including Ile-IFE and BENIN PEOPLE

The Bida Emirate was part of the English colony in Nigeria until Nigeria won it’s independence in 1960.

The capital of the Niger State then became Minna although Bida remains the largest primarily Nupe city.

The Nupe are occupying around 6,950 square miles of lowland in the Niger Basin. They are scattered over several states in west-central and northern Nigeria, but most of them live in Niger State.

The Bida Emirate is a traditional state in Nigeria, a successor to the old Nupe Kingdom, with its headquarters in Bida, Niger State. The head of the state is the Etsu Nupe, considered the leader of the Nupe people.

A sizeable number also lives in Kwara and Kogi states as well as in the Federal Capital Territory. Their major cities include Bida, Minna, Agaie, Lapai, Mokwa, Jebba, Lafiagi, and Pategi.