Benue State Zip Codes & Postal Codes: Full LGA List, Capital Makurdi & Complete Guide (2026)

Benue State, the Food Basket of the Nation, lies in Nigeria’s North Central zone along the great River Benue and is one of the country’s most important agricultural regions. Home to the Tiv and Idoma peoples and famous above all for its yams, Benue feeds much of the nation from its fertile valleys and rolling farmland.

This complete guide brings together everything you need to know about Benue State in one place: the full postal (zip) code for every local government area, the codes for its major towns, and an in-depth profile covering the capital, government, economy, infrastructure, education, culture, tourism and climate.

Before we get to the codes themselves, it helps to understand what they are. In Nigeria, what many people casually call a “zip code” is officially known as a postal code. These are the six digit numbers managed by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) that identify a specific area for the sorting and delivery of mail. Whether you are sending a parcel, filling out an online form, registering for a service or verifying an address, using the correct postal code for your location keeps everything accurate and reliable.

Benue Zip Code

The postal (zip) codes of Benue State range from 970001 to 982105. It has 23 local government areas, each with its own code, and the capital Makurdi falls under 970001 to 970243. Because Benue State is large and every district can have its own code, no single number covers the whole state.

This is why it is always best to confirm the exact code for your specific location rather than relying on one general figure. The tables further down this page list the code for every local government area and for the major towns, so you can find the one that matches your address.

How Postal Codes Work in Benue

Nigeria’s postal code system uses six digits, and the numbers are not random. The opening digits point to a broad postal zone and district, while the remaining digits narrow the location down to a specific delivery area. In Benue State, the codes are grouped around the capital Makurdi and spread outward across the local government areas and towns.

For everyday use you rarely need to memorise these codes. What matters is knowing where to look them up and making sure you use the code for your exact district, since a parcel addressed with the wrong postal code can be delayed or misrouted.

As a simple example, a letter or package addressed to the capital, Makurdi, would carry a code in the 970001 to 970243 range, while an address in one of the more distant local government areas would use a completely different code. The tables below list the ranges recorded against each local government area and major town, which will get you to the right part of the numbering. They are a starting point rather than the last word: the code that matters for an official form is the one used by the post office that actually delivers to the address.

Full List of Benue State LGA Postal Codes

Below is the complete list of all 23 local government areas in Benue State and their postal (zip) codes.

Postal Codes of Major Towns in Benue

These are some of the most searched towns and areas and their postal codes.

Major Cities and Towns in Benue State

Makurdi, the capital, is the largest city and the administrative and commercial centre of the state, a river port on the Benue.

Gboko is a major commercial town and the traditional heart of the Tiv people, home to the Tor Tiv, their paramount ruler, while Otukpo is the principal town of the Idoma and the seat of the Och’Idoma. Katsina-Ala, Vandeikya and Adikpo are other important Tiv towns, and Adoka and Oju serve the southern communities. Together these towns, spread across the fertile valleys on both sides of the Benue, make up the fabric of the Food Basket of the Nation.

Makurdi: The Capital of Benue State

Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, sits on the bank of the River Benue, the great tributary of the Niger that gives the state its name. It serves as the administrative and commercial centre of the state, hosting the state secretariat, the Governor’s office and major institutions.

The city is a busy river port and market town, its life shaped by the Benue, which is crossed here by road and rail bridges linking the north and south of the state. Makurdi is known for its heat and for the seasonal rise and fall of the great river.

Home to the Benue State University and the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi is also an educational centre, reflecting the state’s agricultural identity in its very institutions.

As the heart of the Food Basket of the Nation, Makurdi combines its role as the seat of government with its position as a river port serving one of Nigeria’s most productive farming regions.

Overview and History of Benue State

Benue State was created in 1976 from the former Benue-Plateau State. It lies in the North Central zone and is divided into 23 Local Government Areas. It takes its name from the River Benue, the largest tributary of the Niger, which flows across the state.

The state is home principally to the Tiv, one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, who dominate the areas north of the Benue, and the Idoma, who are concentrated in the south, along with smaller groups such as the Igede. These peoples give the state its distinctive character.

Long known for the fertility of its land, Benue earned its title as the Food Basket of the Nation from the sheer volume and variety of crops it produces, above all its famous yams, which are celebrated across the country.

This combination of a great river, fertile farmland and the strong identities of the Tiv and Idoma peoples gives Benue a prominent place among the states of the North Central zone.

Government and Administration

Benue State is governed by Hyacinth Alia, who serves as the state’s chief executive from Makurdi and administers public services across all 23 Local Government Areas, working alongside the elected State House of Assembly and the judiciary.

The administration’s priorities include agriculture, security, infrastructure and support for the farming communities that form the backbone of the state.

Protecting farmers, developing agriculture and agro-processing, and improving services across the rural areas are consistent themes of government policy.

Economy of Benue State

Benue’s economy is overwhelmingly agricultural, and the state is one of Nigeria’s leading food producers, earning its title as the Food Basket of the Nation. It is famous above all for yams, of which it is a major national producer, along with rice, soya beans, cassava, oranges, sesame and many other crops.

The fertile valleys on both sides of the River Benue support this abundant farming, and agro-processing, including the Benue Brewery and various mills, adds value to the state’s produce.

Fishing along the Benue and its tributaries, trade in the market towns and a growing services sector in Makurdi round out an economy firmly rooted in the land.

This overwhelming agricultural strength, supported by processing and trade, gives Benue a vital role in feeding Nigeria and defines its economy and identity.

Infrastructure and Transport

Benue is connected by road and rail, with Makurdi standing as a key junction on the routes linking the north and the south of the country. The rail line and road bridges over the River Benue at Makurdi are important arteries.

An airport near Makurdi and a network of roads connect the capital to Gboko, Otukpo and the many farming communities across the state, supporting the movement of the huge volumes of produce the state generates.

Maintaining roads to the rural farming areas and improving links across the great river remain continuing priorities for the government.

Education and Institutions

Benue is home to the Benue State University in Makurdi, the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka Federal University of Agriculture, one of the country’s specialised agricultural universities, and a number of polytechnics and colleges, giving the state a strong educational base.

The presence of a federal university of agriculture is especially fitting for the Food Basket of the Nation, reinforcing the state’s role in farming and food production through teaching and research.

Culture and People

Benue’s culture is defined by its two largest peoples, the Tiv and the Idoma, each with their own rich traditions of music, dance, festivals and dress. The Tiv are famous for their swange dance and their distinctive black-and-white striped a’nger cloth, while the Idoma are known for their own colourful festivals and masquerades.

Traditional institutions such as the Tor Tiv and the Och’Idoma remain central to community life, presiding over festivals and customs that bind the communities together.

This combination of two strong cultural identities, expressed through vibrant festivals, dance and craft, gives Benue a rich and distinctive heritage among the states of the North Central zone.

Tourism and Landmarks

Benue’s attractions are rooted in its river, its landscapes and its culture. The River Benue itself, with its port at Makurdi and its seasonal rhythms, is central to the life and scenery of the state.

Cultural festivals of the Tiv and Idoma peoples, with their music, dance and masquerades, offer colourful experiences for visitors interested in the traditions of the North Central zone.

The Ushongo Hills, the Ikwe Holiday Resort and various natural sites across the state add scenic and recreational appeal, while the market towns showcase the agricultural abundance for which Benue is known.

Together, this combination of the great river, cultural festivals and scenic landscapes gives Benue a modest but genuine tourism appeal.

Climate

Benue has a tropical climate with a rainy season from around April to October and a dry season, including the harmattan, for the rest of the year. The capital, Makurdi, is known for being one of the hotter cities in Nigeria, particularly in the dry season.

The reliable rains of the wet season, together with the fertile valleys of the River Benue, sustain the abundant farming that has made the state the Food Basket of the Nation.

Quick Facts About Benue State

• Capital: Makurdi
• Geopolitical Zone: North Central
• Postal Code Range: 970001 to 982105
• Number of Local government areas: 23
• Governor: Hyacinth Alia
• Created: 1976
• Also Known As: Food Basket of the Nation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the zip code for Benue State?

Benue State postal codes range from 970001 to 982105. Each local government area and district has its own specific six digit code, so use the tables above to find the exact one for your area.

What is the postal code for Makurdi?

Makurdi, the capital, falls under the 970001 to 970243 range.

How many local government areas are in Benue State?

There are 23 local government areas in Benue State.

Who is the current governor of Benue State?

The Governor of Benue State is Hyacinth Alia.

What is the capital of Benue State?

The capital of Benue State is Makurdi.

Does every area in Benue have its own postal code?

Yes. NIPOST assigns six digit codes down to district and street level, which is why a single state wide number is not enough for accurate delivery.

What geopolitical zone is Benue State in?

Benue State is located in the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

When was Benue State created?

Benue State was created in 1976, and it is today divided into 23 local government areas.

What is Benue State also known as?

Benue State is also known as the Food Basket of the Nation, a name that reflects its identity and heritage.

What is the postal code range for Benue State?

The postal codes of Benue State run from 970001 to 982105, covering all 23 of its local government areas and the towns within them.

Do I need a postal code to send mail within Benue State?

Using the correct postal code helps ensure that mail, parcels and deliveries reach the right district within Benue State quickly and accurately, and many online forms and delivery services now ask for it.

Summary

In summary, Benue State is served by postal codes ranging from 970001 to 982105, spread across its 23 local government areas and its many towns, with the capital Makurdi falling under the 970001 to 970243 range. The tables on this page give the specific code for every local government area and major town, making it easy to find the exact one you need.

How to confirm these postal codes

Nigerian postal codes are administered by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), which assigns a six-digit code to each delivery area. Codes are occasionally revised when local government areas are created, renamed, or reorganised, and a single town can fall under more than one code depending on the delivery district. The codes on this page are compiled from NIPOST listings and state administrative records. If you are addressing official mail or completing a form where the code must be exact, confirm it on the NIPOST website or at your nearest post office.

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