The Middle Belt of Nigeria is home to the great people of Nupe, who are traditionally referred to as the Nupawa by the Hausa and the Tapa by the Yoruba. They are the main ethnic group in Niger state and a significant minority in Kwara state.
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 origin 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.