Zamfara is a state in Nigeria, located in the north-western part of the country. Its capital is Gusau. The area known as Zamfara state was one of the old Hausa city-states just like Kano, Katsina, etc.
History has it that the earliest inhabitants of Zamfara were hunters and giants. These ones first established their settlement at Dutsi which became the first capital of Zamfara state.
Zamfara Kingdom was founded in the 11th century. The kingdom thrived even till the 16th century. The capital of Zamfara kingdom shifted from place to place i.e from Dutsi to Birnin Zamfara, as the fortunes of the kingdom from place to place like Dutsi and Birnin Zamfara. However, Zamfara state became part of the Sokoto caliphate after the 1804 jihad by Usman dan Fodio. During the period of colonialism, the town of Gusau became an important commercial and administrative center in the country with road and rail networks passing through it.
During the administration of General Yakubu Gowon, Zamfara Kingdom was made to be a part of the then North West state and later, Sokoto state. For many years, the people of Zamfara state have clamoured for autonomy. It was not until 1996 that the then military administration of the Late General Sani Abacha detached Zamfara state from Sokoto state and made it into an autonomous state. Zamfara state shares borders with Katsina state to its east, Sokoto and Niger states to its west. According to the 2006 census, Zamfara state has a population of 3,278,873 people. The state is populated with the Hausa and Fulani peoples and some other minority groups and languages. Zamfara state comprises fourteen local government areas.
Just like many other major towns in Nigeria, the capital of Zamfara state is an important commercial center with a heterogeneous population of people from all over the country. However, the major ethnic groups and languages are Hausa and Fulani.
The main occupations of the inhabitants of Zamfara state are Agriculture and gold mining. It is also mainstay of the people. The great farming business that goes on in Zamfara state is the reason for the state’s slogan “farming is our pride”. Another Zamfara state slogan is ‘Home of Shari’ah. This is because Zamfara state was the first state in Nigeria to introduce Sharia law.
This article provides information on the 14 local government areas in Zamfara state.
List of Local Governments in Zamfara State
Read on below:
Anka
Anka has its headquarters in the town of Anka. According to the 2006 census, Anka has a population of 142,280 people. The postal code of the area is 890.
Bakura
The headquarters of Bakura are in the town of Bakura. According to the 2006 census, Bukara has a population of 186,905 people. The postal code of the area is 892.
Birnin Magaji/Kiyaw
The headquarters of Birnin Magaji are in the town of Birnin Magaji, also known as Magare. The LGA also derives its name from the town of Kiyaw which is located to the south of the area. According to the 2006 census, Birnin Magaji has a population of 178,619 people. The postal code of the area is 882.
Bukkuyum (or Bukwium)
The headquarters of Bukkuyum are in the town of Bukkuyum. As at 2006, Bukkuyum has a population of 211,633 people. The postal code of the area is 891.
Bungudu (or Bungundu)
The headquarters of Bungudu are in the town of Bungudu. According to the 2006 census, Bungudu has a population of 257,917 people. The postal code of the area is 881.
Chafe
Chafe, also known as Tsafe has its headquarters in the town of Chafe. According to the 2006 census, Chafe has a population of 266,008 people. The postal code of the area is 880.
Gummi
Gummi local government area was carved out of the former larger Sokoto state, which includes part of the present Zamfara and Kebbi states. Gummi LGA has its headquarters in the town of Gummi. As at the 2006 census, Gummi has a population of 204,539 people. The postal code of the area is 891. The major ethnic group in Gummi LGA are Hausa and Fulani. The inhabitants of Gummi are predominantly farmers.
Gusau
Gusau is both a city and Local Government Area in Zamfara state. It is the capital of Zamfara state. According to the 2006 census, Gusau and a population of 383,162 people. The postal code of the area is 880. Gusau LGA has an estimated population of 383,162 people. The major ethnic group in Gusau is Hausa.
Kaura Namoda
Kaura Namoda has its headquarters in the town of Kaura-Namoda. It is also the location of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura-Namoda. According to the 2006 census, Kaura Namoda has a population of 281,367 people. The postal code of the area is 882
Maradun
Maradun has its headquarters in the town of Maradun. According to the 2006 census, Maradun has a population of 210,852 people. The postal code of the area is 881.
Maru
Maru has its headquarters in the town of Maru. According to the 2006 census, Maru has a population of 291,900 people. The postal code of the area is 890.
Shinkafi
Shinkafi has its headquarters in the town of Shinkafi. According to the 2006 census, Shinkafi has a population of 135,649 people.
Talata Mafara
Talata Mafara LGA has its headquarters in the town of Talata Mafara. The town is located in the southern area of a major irrigation project fed by the Bakolori dam on the Sokoto River. According to the 2006 census, Talata Mafara local government area has a population of 215,178 people. The postal code of the area is 892
Zurmi
The headquarters of Zurmi LGA are in the town of Zurmi. According to the 2006 census, Zurmi LGA has a population of 293,837 people. The postal code of the area is 882. Zurmi local government area shares borders with the Republic of Niger to its North, Katsina state to its east. The end of the LGA is at its most populated village, Gurbin Bore.