Bayelsa State is located in the South-South region of Nigeria, at the heart of the Niger Delta. It was created on October 1, 1996, from part of Rivers State, making it one of the newest states in the federation. The state capital is Yenagoa, which is known for its susceptibility to annual flooding.

Bayelsa is rich in natural resources, particularly oil and gas. It is home to the Oloibiri Oilfield, where oil was first discovered in Nigeria, and it is estimated to produce 30-40% of the country's oil. Despite its wealth in natural resources, the state faces significant challenges, including environmental pollution from oil spills and widespread poverty.

The state is predominantly inhabited by the Ijaw people, and their languages are widely spoken. Bayelsa comprises eight local government areas: Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenagoa, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Brass, and Southern Ijaw.

The state government is actively working on diversifying its economy beyond oil and gas, focusing on sectors like agriculture, tourism, and education.

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