In 1926 , it became the capital of Niger . The population grew slowly from about 3,000 people in 1930 to around 30,000 in 1960 , 250,000 in 1980 and 675,000 in 2002 . In 1926 it became the capital of Niger , and the population gradually increased , from about 3,000 in 1930 to around 30,000 in 1960 , 250,000 in 1980 and - by some estimates - 800,000 in 2000 .