Bayelsa State

**Bayelsa State** is in the South-South region of Nigeria, at the heart of the Niger Delta. Created in 1996 from Rivers State, it is one of the newest states in Nigeria. The state capital is Yenagoa. Bayelsa covers 10,773 km² and borders Rivers State to the east, Delta State to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.

The state has eight local government areas: Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenagoa, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Brass, and Southern Ijaw. With an estimated 2024 population of about 3.7 million, it is the least populous state in Nigeria.

The state is the ancestral homeland of the Ijaw people, who later spread to other areas. Other groups such as the Urhobo are also native to parts of the state, particularly Sagbama. Languages spoken include Ijaw, Ogbia, Nembe, and Epie, along with Igbo, Isoko, and Urhobo.

Bayelsa’s economy relies mainly on petroleum. The state is home to the Oloibiri Oilfield in Oloibiri Town, Ogbia Local Government Area, where oil was first discovered in Nigeria. Bayelsa produces about 30–40% of the country’s oil and also holds Nigeria’s largest gas reserves, estimated at 18 trillion cubic feet.

Despite its natural wealth, the state struggles with poverty and pollution from oil spills. The creation of Bayelsa in 1996 was the result of long-standing Ijaw nationalist movements that had, since the 1940s, pushed for an Ijaw-majority state. Its name comes from the initials of three LGAs: Brass (BALGA), Yenagoa (YELGA), and Sagbama (SALGA).

## Infobox (settlement)

- **name**: Bayelsa
- **settlement type**: State
- **image flag**: Flag of Bayelsa State.svg
- **flag size**: 120px
- **nickname**: "Glory of all lands"
- **motto**: Truth, Service and Justice
- **image map**: Nigeria - Bayelsa.svg
- **map caption**: Location of Bayelsa State in Nigeria
- **subdivision type**: Country
- **subdivision name**: Nigeria
- **subdivision type2**: Geopolitical Zone
- **subdivision name2**: South South
- **established title**: Created
- **established date**: 1 October 1996
- **seat type**: Capital
- **seat**: Yenagoa
- **governing body**: Executive Council of Bayelsa State
- **leader party**: People's Democratic Party (PDP)
- **leader title**: Governor
- **leader name**: Douye Diri
- **leader title1**: Deputy Governor
- **leader name1**: Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo (PDP)
- **leader title2**: Legislature
- **leader name2**: Bayelsa State House of Assembly
- **leader title3**: Representatives in the Nigerian Senate
- **leader name3**:

- **area total km2**: 10,773
- **area rank**: 27th
- **population est**: 3,724,225
- **pop est as of**: 2024
- **population density km2**: auto
- **population demonym**: Bayelsan
- **population note**: Ranked 36th
- **postal code type**: Postal/Zip Code
- **postal code**: 560001
- **area code**: +234-(089)
- **area code type**: Dialing Code
- **iso code**: NG-BY
- **demographics type1**: GDP (PPP)
- **demographics1 title1**: Year
- **demographics1 info1**: 2021
- **demographics1 title2**: Total
- **demographics1 info2**: $29.97 billion
9th of 36
- **demographics1 title3**: Per capita
- **demographics1 info3**: $11,379
2nd of 36
- **blank name sec2**: HDI (2022)
- **blank info sec2**: 0.573
 · 20th of 37
- **official name**: Bayelsa State Government of Nigeria