Rivers State, named after the many rivers that border its territory, was part of the Oil Rivers Protectorate from 1885 to 1893, when it became part of the Niger Coast Protectorate. In 1900, the region was merged with the chartered territories of the Royal Niger Company to form the colony of Southern Nigeria. The state was created on May 27, 1967, with the split of the Eastern Region of Nigeria by a military decree. In 1996, Bayelsa State was carved out of it.
Bounded to the north by Imo, Abia and Anambra states, to the south by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west by Bayelsa and Delta states and to the east by Akwa Ibom State, Rivers has a population of 6,689,087 (2005 estimate), making it the sixth most populous state in the country. The state capital, Port Harcourt, is the largest city in the state as well as the centre of Nigeria’s oil industry.
The people from Rivers State are known as Riverians and the state is home to many indigenous ethnic groups, including Ikwerre, Eleme, Etche, Opobo, Okrika, Ibani, Engenni, Kalabari, Ogba, Obolo and Ogoni.
The coastal part of the state is defined by the typical Niger Delta environment, characterized by mangrove swamps, while the inland part consists of tropical rainforest. It is made up of 23 local government areas, namely, Ogba/Egbemam Ndoni, Ahoada, Ikwerre, Etche, Andoni/Opobo, Bonny, Okrika, Iyibo, Ehana, Gokana Tai/Eleme, Obio/Akpor, Emohua, Degema, Aseri Toru, Akuku, Abua/Odial, Omumma, Opobo/Nkoro, Ogu/Boiro, Ahoada West, Ahoada East and Eleme.
One of the oldest states in the country, 16 governors have ruled Rivers from inception till today. They are: Alfred Diete-Spiff (May 28, 1967-July 1975); Zamani Lekwot (july 1975-July 1978); Suleiman Saidu (July 1978-October, 1979); Fidelis Oyakhilome (January 1984-August 1986); Anthony Ukpo (1986-1988); Ernest Adelaye (1988-1990); Godwin Abbe (1990-1992); Dauda Komo (1993-1996); Musa Shehu (1996-1998); Sam Ewang (1998-1999); Melford Okilo (1979-1983); Rufus Ada George (January 1992-November 1993); Peter Odili (1999-2007); Celestine Omehia (May 29, 2007—October 26, 2007); Chibuike Amaechi (October 2007-May 29, 2015) and Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (2015-date).
In Rivers State, education is a major industry. The state has more than 2,805 primary schools and 243 secondary schools. The secondary schools are concentrated mainly in LGA headquarter towns and in Port Harcourt. The tertiary institutions include the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, established by the Federal Government in 1975; the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, founded in 1980 by the state government, the School of Health Technology, Port Harcourt, established by the state government, the federal-owned polytechnic at Omoku, and the state-owned Rivers State Polytechnic at Bori; the Rivers University of Education (Ignatius Ajulu University) at Rumuolumeni, Nkpolu Oroworukwo and Ndele, and the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Rumueme, Port Harcourt. The Rivers State College of Arts and Science in Port Harcourt gained polytechnic status in 2006. There are also private schools across the state.
Agriculture is the principal occupation of Rivers State people and the agricultural policy of the state government is anchored on food production. This provides employment for the young school leavers and university graduates. These agricultural activities are grouped under community block farming schemes, community fishing scheme, livestock and rabbitry.
However, Rivers State is most famous in the area of production of oil and gas. With enormous reserves of crude oil and natural gas, Rivers State accounts for more than 40 per cent of Nigeria’s crude oil production. Apart from this, there are many petrochemical industries in the state, which also harbours the first petroleum refinery in Nigeria. Nigeria’s gigantic liquefied natural gas project is located in Bonny, Rivers State.
There are many tourist attractions in the state. They include the Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt, Monument of King Jaja of Opobo, Okrika acquatic stadium, Ifoko Beach and the Port Harcourt Polo Tournament.