Bayelsa news today from The Trumpet: government and politics, the budget, oil and gas, security, community affairs and the environment from Yenagoa and across Bayelsa State, updated every time we publish a new Bayelsa story.
Bayelsa State, in the heart of the Niger Delta, was created from Rivers State on 1 October 1996, with Yenagoa as its capital. Its people are mainly Ijaw, and its creeks, rivers and mangrove swamps hold some of Nigeria’s most important oil and gas fields. Nigeria’s first commercial oil discovery was made at Oloibiri, in Ogbia LGA, in 1956.
Bayelsa State at a glance
| Capital | Yenagoa |
|---|---|
| Created | 1 October 1996 (from Rivers State) |
| Governor | Douye Diri (since February 2020) |
| Local government areas | 8: Brass, Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Southern Ijaw, Yenagoa |
| Senatorial districts | Bayelsa Central, Bayelsa East, Bayelsa West |
| Population (2006 census) | 1,704,515 |
| Known for | Oil and gas, Oloibiri (first commercial oil discovery, 1956), fishing, Ijaw culture |
| Region | Niger Delta, South-South Nigeria |
What we cover in Bayelsa
- Government and the budget: Governor Douye Diri’s administration and state finances, including the proposed ₦1.24trn 2027 budget and Bayelsa’s rise to third in the BudgIT fiscal ranking.
- Politics: party activity and the race for 2027, including the PDP’s accusations against Diri and Bayelsa East APC candidates.
- Oil, gas and the environment: spills, host communities, refineries and the creeks, such as the Egweama oil spill and the Azikel refinery project.
- Security and courts: cult clashes, police operations and major trials, including the crackdown on cultism after renewed clashes.
- Economy and community life: agriculture, fishing, education, traditional institutions and Ijaw culture, from the revamped aquaculture village to the Izon language app.
Latest Bayelsa news
Bayelsa Oil Spill: Egweama Community Cries Out as Crude Oil Destroys Fishing Nets, Threatens Livelihoods
Residents of Egweama community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have raised the alarm over a crude oil…
Bayelsa PDP Questions N1.24trn 2027 Budget, Faults 15% 2026 Budget Performance
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has criticised the reported 15 per cent performance of the state’s 2026…
Bayelsa Rises from 16th to 3rd in BudgIT Fiscal Performance Ranking
The Bayelsa State Government has welcomed its improved performance in the latest BudgIT State of States Report, which ranked the…
Bayelsa Targets Large-Scale Fish Production, Jobs At Revamped Aquaculture Village
Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has flagged off the maiden fish harvest at the Bayelsa Aquaculture Village in Yenegwe,…
Bayelsa Proposes N1.24trn 2027 Budget, Allocates N840.79bn to Capital Projects
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has presented a proposed N1.24 trillion budget for the 2027 fiscal year, with N840.79…
Bayelsa Court Sentences 2 Men To Death By Hanging Over Killing Of Governor Diri’s In-Law, 2 Others
A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has sentenced two men to death by hanging for their roles in…
NDDC Debunks Report Of Bridge Collapse In Bayelsa
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has debunked reports circulating on social media alleging the collapse of a bridge project…
Only God-fearing Person Will Succeed Me, Gov. Diri Declares At Bayelsa 15th Thanksgiving
Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has asked anyone eyeing the office of governor of the state to prayerfully seek…
2027: PDP Accuses Diri Of Working For Makinde
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has accused Governor Douye Diri of not backing President Bola Tinubu's re-election…
Gov. Diri Commends Corps Members For Contributions To Development Of Host Communities In Bayelsa
The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has commended corps members deployed to the state for their contributions to the development…
Bayelsa Pastor In Police Net For Allegedly Defiling 2 Minors
The Bayelsa State Police Command on Wednesday, confirmed the arrest of a 50-year-old pastor, Ambros Mark, over the alleged defilement…
Bayelsa Suspends Land Acquisition By Oil Firm Over Communal Dispute Between 2 Communities
Bayelsa State has suspended all land acquisition activities by the operator of Oil Mining Lease 29 (OML 29) in Brass…
Governor Diri Unveils AI-Powered Robotic Tutors At Bayelsa Medical University
Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has unveiled Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered robotic tutors and other digital learning innovations at the…
Diri: Donald Duke Contesting for President Just to Be Rehabilitated
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has dismissed former Cross River State Governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate Donald…
26-Year-Old Man Macheted To Death As Rival Groups Clash In Bayelsa
By Odeh Okioma A 26-year-old man identified as Tari, popularly known as Heavyweight, has been macheted to death following a…
Bayelsa To Host Governance Secretariat Of DeltasUNite To Protect World’s Deltas
Bayelsa State has taken the campaign to redress environmental issues in the Niger Delta to the global stage, with the…
Gov. Diri Faults Donald Duke Criticism Of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Project
Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has faulted the criticism of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project by former Governor of…
Obasanjo Hails Eruani’s Vision for $1bn Azikel Refinery in Bayelsa
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has commended Azikel Group President, Dr Eruani Azibapu, for his vision and investment in the $1…
Azikel Refinery Begins Crude Distillation Unit Installation in Bayelsa, Nears Final Construction Phase
The Azikel Refinery in Obunagha, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has reached a major construction milestone with the…
NCDMB Reaffirms Commitment To Journalism Excellence At Bayelsa Media Awards
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting professionalism and excellence in journalism, particularly…
Bayelsa news: frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Bayelsa State?
Yenagoa is the capital of Bayelsa State. It is also the headquarters of Yenagoa Local Government Area.
When was Bayelsa State created?
Bayelsa State was created on 1 October 1996, when it was carved out of Rivers State.
How many local government areas are in Bayelsa State?
Bayelsa has eight local government areas: Brass, Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa.
Who is the governor of Bayelsa State?
Douye Diri has been Governor of Bayelsa State since February 2020.
Why is Oloibiri important?
Oloibiri, in Ogbia LGA, is where Nigeria’s first commercial oil discovery was made in 1956.
Where can I read the latest Bayelsa news today?
This page updates automatically whenever The Trumpet publishes a story about Bayelsa, so the newest reports always appear in the Latest Bayelsa news section.
Related Bayelsa topics
- Bayelsa State
- Douye Diri
- Bayelsa State Government
- Bayelsa State House of Assembly
- Bayelsa crime news
- Bayelsa Queens
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