INTRODUCTION

Zamfara is one of the seven states that form the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It shares an international border with the Republic of Niger to the North and interstate boundaries with Katsina State to the East, Sokoto State to the West, and Kebbi and Niger States to the South. Gusau is the state capital.

LOCATION, LANDMASS AND POPULATION

Zamfara State covers an area of 39,761 square kilometres and lies at latitude 12° 10’ North and longitude 6° 15’ East. It has a population of 3,278,873 (2006 census) 4,515,427 (2016 forecast) and a population density of 82. The state accounts for 2.3% of Nigeria’s population.

HISTORY AND PEOPLE
 

Present-day Zamfara State was one of the old Hausa city-states. Zamfara Kingdom came into being in the eleventh century and flourished till the sixteenth century. The kingdom became part of the Sokoto Caliphate after the 1804 jihad of Usman dan Fodio. Zamfara State was part of the Northern Region in the three-region structure of 1954. With the creation of twelve federal states during General Yakubu Gowon’s military government in 967, Zamfara State became part of North-West State. In 1976 when North-West State was divided by General Murtala Muhammed’s military government, it became part of Sokoto State. Zamfara State was established as its own entity in 1996 by the military government of General Sani Abacha.
The state is mainly populated by the Hausa and Fulani people as well as some members of Gwari, Kamuku, Kambari, Dukawa, Bussawa and Zabarma ethnic communities. Islam is the principal religion of the state. Zamfara State was the first state in Nigeria to introduce sharia law.

MAIN TOWNS AND CITIES

Gusau (capital city), Kaura, Namoda and Anka

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

ADMINISTRATORS AND GOVERNORS

Jibril Yakubu (Administrator - Military) October 1996 - May 1999
Ahmad Yerima (Governor-Civilian (All Nigeria People’s Party): May 1999 - May 2007
Mahmud Shinkafi (Governor- Civilian (All Nigeria People’s Party): May 2007 - May 2011
Abdul'aziz  Yari (Governor- Civilian (All Nigeria People’s Party/All Progressives Congress): May 2011 -  May 2019
Bello Matawalle (Governor – Civilian (People’s Democratic Party/All Progressives Congress): May 2019 – Present.

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION

Agriculture is the core of the state’s economy. It employs about 90% of the state’s population in various forms. Major crops found in the state include maize, millet, cotton, rice, groundnut, guinea corn, tobacco and beans. Animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle are reared on a large scale. Minerals in the state include: alluvial gold, mica, granite, silica, feldspar, gold, limestone, quartz, kaolin and sand. The people of the state also engage in weaving, dying and designing materials and other kinds of woven products, usually made from date – palm raffia.
Tertiary institutions in the state are Federal University, Gusau,  Zamfara State University, Talata Marafa;  Federal Polytechnic, Namo;  Abdul Gusau Polytechnic,  Federal College of Education (Technical), Gusau; Zamfara State College of Education, Maru; and Zamfara State College of Art and Sciences, Gusau.

FAMOUS SITES AND CULTURE
Sites
Kalale Hippopopotamus Pond, Dangulbi

The Kalale Hippopopotamus Pond is located in Dangulbi area of Maru local government area. It’s the home of the giant amphibians which swim in the pond during the day and leave it at night in search of food.

Sambo Dan Ashafa's Tomb, Wonaka

The Tomb is the final resting place of Sambo Dan Ashafa, who died in 1827.  Dan Ashafa founded Gusau in 1799 and became its first ruler. It is a noted historical and religious site.

Kwatarkwashi Rock

Kwatarkwashi Rock in Kwatarkwashi town in Bungudu local government area is a massive granitic rock formation similar in shape to Zuma Rock in Abuja. It is about 350 meters above sea level and has a number of caves and a spring.

Culture
The Kokowa Wrestling festival is an important traditional event in Zamfara State and takes place during the dry season in the village square.  The Sharo festival is a significant celebration, Sharo means “flogging” in Fulani. It is a public ceremony that shows the bravery and endurance of young boys passing into adulthood. The festival is biannual and takes place at the end of the planting season. Another festival in the state is the Durbar festival. 

NOTABLE INDIGENES

Abubakar Gumi (1922 – 1992)

Mohammed Ahmad Asha (1949 -2020)

DID YOU KNOW

There is a crater on Mars named after the Chafe LGA in Zamfara State.