Special Features

Bayelsa State: List of LGAs, population, land mass, government, other key facts

Published

3 hours ago

August 23, 2026

Bayelsa State is one of Nigeria’s 36 states and is located in the South-South geopolitical zone. The state is popularly identified by the official slogan “Glory of All Lands”, while Yenagoa serves as its capital.

Bayelsa was created on October 1, 1996, during the military administration of General Sani Abacha.

The state is predominantly riverine and occupies an important position within Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.

Key Facts About Bayelsa State

Category	Information
Capital	Yenagoa
Slogan	Glory of All Lands
Geopolitical Zone	South-South
Date Created	October 1, 1996
Created By	General Sani Abacha
Local Government Areas	8
Population	About 2,537,375
Land Area	10,773 km²
Governor	Senator Douye Diri
State Government	Government of Bayelsa State

The population figure above is an estimated projection and may differ from figures from other population exercises.

Who Is the Governor of Bayelsa State?

The current governor of Bayelsa State is Senator Douye Diri.

Diri became governor in 2020 and was re-elected in the 2023 governorship election.

Bayelsa State Senators

Bayelsa is represented by three senators in the National Assembly. The senators listed for the state are:

Agadaga Benson Sunday
Benson Friday Konbowei
Henry Seriake Dickson

The state also has five representatives in the House of Representatives.

Local Government Areas in Bayelsa State

Bayelsa State has eight local government areas (LGAs). Their administrative headquarters are:

No.	Local Government Area	Headquarters
1	Brass	Twon-Brass
2	Ekeremor	Ekeremor
3	Kolokuma/Opokuma	Kaiama
4	Nembe	Nembe
5	Ogbia	Ogbia
6	Sagbama	Sagbama
7	Southern Ijaw	Oporoma
8	Yenagoa	Yenagoa

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Bayelsa State?

The capital of Bayelsa State is Yenagoa.

What is the slogan of Bayelsa State?

The official slogan of Bayelsa State is “Glory of All Lands.”

When was Bayelsa State created?

Bayelsa State was created on October 1, 1996, during the administration of General Sani Abacha.

Which geopolitical zone is Bayelsa State in?

Bayelsa State is located in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone.

How many local government areas are in Bayelsa State?

Bayelsa State has eight local government areas.

What is the population of Bayelsa State?

Bayelsa State has an estimated population of about 2,537,375 people, based on projections.

Who is the current governor of Bayelsa State?

The current governor of Bayelsa State is Senator Douye Diri.

Why Bayelsa State Is Important

Bayelsa is a key state in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region and is closely associated with the country’s oil and gas industry. Its extensive network of rivers, creeks and waterways also gives the state a distinctive geographical character.

The state is home to several communities spread across riverine areas, while Yenagoa serves as its political, administrative and commercial centre.

Bayelsa’s location and natural resources have made it an important part of Nigeria’s economic and environmental landscape, while its cultural heritage remains an important aspect of the identity of the people of the state.