Not All Tiv People Are Indigenous To Benue, Central Nigeria

By Lyagh Cletus Iorlumun, Lafia

The majority of Tiv people are not indigenous to Benue State, Central Nigeria. Many people believe that all Tiv people are from Benue State because that is the picture that has been painted over the years in an attempt to consciously limit the Tiv people to Benue. That is where the concept of “Tiv from Benue” originated.

The Tiv ethnic group is the single largest ethnic group in the Middle Belt, and the fourth largest ethnic group in the country, spanning across many states in what is considered Central Nigeria. Before Benue State was created, Tiv people were recognized as the single largest ethnic group in the then Gongola State, which became Adamawa and Taraba. In addition, the Tiv people were the largest ethnic group in the Benue-Plateau State, which was later split into Benue, Kogi, Plateau, and Nasarawa States. This means that the Tiv people are the majority in Taraba and Nasarawa States, including some parts of other states in Nigeria.

Apart from the above-mentioned states in the Middle Belt, the Tiv ethnic group is also one of the largest ethnic groups in Cross River State, which is part of Eastern Nigeria.

Internationally, the Akwaya district of Cameroon is dominated by the Tiv people. Other minority groups within the region and beyond have adopted Tiv cultural and traditional practices, such as dances and food.

Tiv people are indigenous to the various states and countries mentioned above, making them one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria and a minority in Cameroon.

You are either Tiv from West Africa in the country of Nigeria or from Central Africa in the country of Cameroon.

The spiritual capital of the Tiv people is in Kwande, while the Palace of the revered Tor Tiv is in Gboko, Benue State.