Maiduguri is the capital and largest city of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria. It is situated along the seasonal Ngadda River, which eventually disappears into the Firki swamps near Lake Chad. Founded in the early 20th century as a military outpost by the British, the city has grown into a major economic and cultural hub of the region. Maiduguri serves as a key center for trade and commerce, connecting Nigeria with neighboring countries such as Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. The city is known for its bustling markets, including the famous Monday Market, where traders sell a variety of goods ranging from textiles and foodstuffs to livestock. Agriculture is a major economic activity, with crops like millet, sorghum, and groundnuts widely cultivated in the surrounding areas. Maiduguri is also an important center of Islamic learning and culture, home to several prominent mosques and Islamic institutions. The University of Maiduguri, one of Nigeria’s leading universities, is located in the city and attracts students from across the country. Despite challenges in recent years due to insurgency in the region, Maiduguri remains resilient, with efforts focused on rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening its position as a key economic and educational hub in northeastern Nigeria.
Maiduguri, also called Yerwa or Yerwa-Maiduguri, is the capital and largest city of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria. It is located along the seasonal Ngadda (Alo) River, whose waters disappear into the firki (“black cotton”) swamps of Lake Chad, northeast of the city.
Modern Maiduguri is a combination of the twin towns of Yerwa and Maiduguri. In 1907, Yerwa was founded on the site of the hamlet of Kalwa and was named by Shehu Bukar Garbai as the new traditional capital of the Kanuri people, replacing Kukawa (located 130 km north-northeast), the former capital of the Bornu Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the market village of Maiduguri, just south of Yerwa, was chosen by the British as their military headquarters, replacing the nearby town of Maifoni (Mofoni, Mafoni). In 1908, the British built a residency in the town, establishing Maiduguri as the capital of British Bornu.
By 1957, the city was officially divided into the urban district of Yerwa and the rural district of Maiduguri, but outside Borno, both areas are commonly referred to as Maiduguri.
The arrival of the railway in 1964 reinforced Maiduguri’s status as the chief commercial hub of northeastern Nigeria. The city is known for its vibrant trade in:
Livestock (mainly cattle, goats, and sheep)
Hides and leather goods
Dried fish (brought from Lake Chad)
Gum Arabic
Sorghum, millet, corn (maize), peanuts (groundnuts), and rice
There is a large cattle ranch in nearby Gombole, as well as extensive poultry farming in the surrounding areas. Maiduguri is also home to the Monday Market in Yerwa, one of the largest in the state, a tradition carried over from Kukawa.
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