This article will provide information on the list of the 14 local government areas in Zamfara state and their towns in Nigeria and also provide answers to questions as regards to Zamfara State, Nigeria.
The people of Zamfara have over the years struggled for autonomy, but it was not until 1996 that the then military administration of the late General Sani Abacha detached the Zamfara State from Sokoto State with an area of 38,418 square kilometres. The first Governor was Jibril Yakubu. The area today called Zamfara state was one of the old state like Kano, Katsina, Gobir, Kabi and Zazzau. The earliest inhabitants of Zamfara were said to have been hunters and giants. They established their first settlement at Dutsi which was the first capital of Zamfara. It extends up to the bend of River Rima to the north west and River Ka in the south west. Zamfara Kingdom was established in the 11th century and flourished up to 16th century as a city-state. Its capital has shifted with the fortunes of the kingdom from place to place like Dutsi and Birnin Zamfara. In the first half of the 18th century, its then capital Birnin Zamfara, was destroyed by the Gobir Kingdom and a new capital was established in Anka by the second half of the 19th century. Zamfara had many centers of commerce and scholarship that attracted many scholars like the Yandoto city. It became part of the Sokoto Caliphate after the 1804 jihad by Usman dan Fodio. In fact, Usman Danfodiyo settled in Sabon Gari where Sarkin Zamfara Abarshi had already established a garrison headquarters during the early days of his Jihad as a base from where fought Gobir and Kabi. At the wake of British colonialism, the emerging town of Gusau became an important commercial and administrative center with road and rail networks passing through it. With the creation of states during the Gowon Administration, Zamfara Kingdom became part of the then North West state and later the Sokoto State. Agriculture and gold mining are the main occupations of the people of the state and the central source of income. Irrigation is required for cereals and legumes hence its slogan "farming is our pride". The state is basically an agricultural state with over 80 percent of the people engaged in various forms of agriculture. Major agricultural products include millet, guinea corn, maize, rice, groundnut, cotton, tobacco and beans. Islam is the principal and major religion of the state. Christianity also has many adherents. The original native religions also remain but they have the fewest followers. These religions are mainly practiced in ancient settlements like Dutsi and Kwatarkwashi. Zamfara was the first state in Nigeria to introduce Sharia law during the tenure of Ahmad Sani Yerima, the former Governor of the state.
It is located in Anka town with about 9 other towns and communities which include:
- Dan Galadima
- Bagega
- Waramu
- Wuya
- Yar'sabaya
- Magaji
- Sabon-Birni
- Matseri
- Barayar-Zaki
It is a town and also a local government area headquarter with about 10 districts which include:
- Bakura
- Dakko
- Damri
- Dan Manau
- Dankadu
- Nasarawa
- Rini
- Yar Geda
- Yar Kufoji
- Birnin Tudu
It comprises of about 11 districts which include:
- Birnin-Magaji
- Darifami
- Sabon-Birnin
- Gora
- Gusami Gari
- Gusami Hayi
- Kiyawa
- Modomawa East
- Modomawa West
- Nasarawa-Godol East
- Nassarawa-Godol West
It is a town as well as a local government area administrative center with about 10 towns which include:
- Zauma
- Zarummal
- Jema
- Yashi
- Ruwan
- Nasarawa
- Masama
- Adabka
- Gwashi
- Kyaram
It is made up of about 13 communities which include:
- Bungudu
- Bingi South
- Bingi North
- Tofa
- Sankalawa
- Bela
- Samawa
- Karakkai
- Furfuri
- Kwai-Kwai
- Gada
- Kwatar-Kwashi
- Nahuce
It is located in Gummi town with about 11 other towns and communities which include:
- Bardoki
- Birnin-Magaji
- Birnin-Tudu
- Falole
- Ubandawaki
- Shiyar-Rafi
- Gayari
- Gyalange
- Famo
- Felfeldu
- Illelar-Awal
It is a city and the state capital and also a local government area headquarter with about 15 districts which include:
- Bye Pass
- Emir
- Janyau
- Magaji
- Tudun Wada
- Ungumar
- Dawaki
- Wonaka
- Wanke
- Galadima
- Mada
- Madawawoki
- Magami
- Mayana
- Rijiya
It is a famous town and also an administrative headquarter of the local government area with about 9 districts and communities which include:
- Banga
- Dan Isa
- Gabake
- Kagara
- Galadima
- Yankaba
- Sakajiki
- Marafa
- Madaro
It is made up of about 10 communities and districts which include:
- Birnin-Kaya
- Tsibiri
- Maradun South
- Maradun North
- Dosara Damaga
- Garo
- Damagiwa
- Faru
- Magami
- Gidan-Goga
- Janbako
It consists of about 10 districts which include:
- Bindin
- Bingi
- Dorowa
- Ruwam
- Mayandii
- Kuyan Bana
- Kanoma
- Dan Kurmi
- Dan Sadau
- Dan Gulbi
It is located in Shinkafi town with about 10 other towns and communities which include:
- Badarawa
- Shinkafi South
- Shinkafi North
- Shanawa
- Katuru
- Kurya
- Kware
- Jangeru
- Galadi
- Chiki
It is located in Talata Mafara town with about 10 districts which include:
- Makare
- Garbadu
- Gwaram
- Jangebe
- Kagara
- Ruwan Bore
- Ruwan Gizo
- Gora Shiyar
- Galadima Shiyar
- Kayaye
It is a town and also a local government area headquarter with about 11 communities which include:
- Bilbis
- Chediya-Danjibga
- Kunchin kalgo
- Dauki Keta
- Kizara
- Kwaren
- Ganuwa
- Yan Kuzo
- Yan Waren
- Daji Yandoto
- Daji Yankuzo
It is located in Zurmi town with about 10 communities and towns which include:
- Boko Dauran
- Birni Tsaba
- Dole Galadima
- Yanruwa
- Dutsi
- Mayasa
- Kwashbawa
- Mashen
- Rukudawa
- Yan Buki
Zamfara State was carved out of Sokoto State on October 1, 1996 by the then regime of General Sani Abacha. It's capital is Gusau. Situated in the North Western flank of Nigeria, Zamfara State occupies 39,762 square kilometres.
Most residents of Zamfara state are involved in agriculture - the state motto is "farming is our pride".
The state has 3 senatorial districts, 147 political wards and 14 Local Government Areas namely Anka, Bakura, Birnin Magaji, Bukkuyum, Bungudu, Damaturu, Gummi, Gusau, Kauran Namoda, Maradun, Maru, Shinkafi, Talata Mafara, Tsafe and Zurmi.
Zamfara State is located in the northwestern part of Nigeria. Agriculture is the most important occupation of the people of the state, hence its slogan “farming is our pride”.