Home✔Nigerian AffairsAdamawa State: History, Population, Size, LGAs, Map & More

Adamawa State: History, Population, Size, LGAs, Map & More

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Adamawa state is located in the Northeastern Geopolitical zone of Nigeria. in 1991, The then Gongola state was renamed Adamawa state after Taraba state was carved out from it.

The name “Adamawa” came from the founder of the kingdom, Modibo Adama who also founded Yola, the state capital.

The state’s slogan is “Land of Beauty”.

Prior to Adamawa becoming a state, it was a subordinate kingdom of the sultanate of Sokoto and their rulers go by the title “Emir”.

Meanwhile, these Emirs still rule them up to this present day with the current Emir being Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, who was turbaned on 18 March 2010 as the traditional ruler.

Among the locals, the Emirs are fondly called Lamido, which is the native name for their traditional rulers.

Hausa and Fulfude are the two predominantly spoken languages in the state. However, contrary to most beliefs, not all Adamawa citizens are Hausas/Fulanis.

In fact, the major languages therein include, but are not limited to, Bacama/Bata (Bwatiye), Bura-Pabir, Fulfulde, Huba (Kilba), Longuda.

There are several other minority groups and languages in Adamawa state, some of which are on the brink of extinction.

Landmass (Size of Adamawa state)

Adamawa state is one of the largest states in Nigeria, occupying a landmass of about 36,917 square kilometers.

The state is bordered to the west by Gombe, to the Northwest by Borno, and by Taraba to the southwest, it also has a national eastern border with Cameroon. 

The population of Adamawa state

Based on the last census conducted in 2006, Adamawa state had a population of 3,178,950 (3.1 million).

Since Nigeria has not conducted any census recently, it will be extremely difficult to give an exact estimate of the current population. Many people, however, project that the current population should be in the region of 5 million.

Local Government Areas

Adamawa State is made up of twenty-one Local Government Areas (LGAs) they are:

  • Demsa
  • Fufore
  • Ganye
  • Girei
  • Gombi
  • Guyuk
  • Hong
  • Jada
  • Lamurde
  • Madagali
  • Maiha
  • Mayo-Belwa
  • Michika
  • Mubi North
  • Mubi South
  • Numan
  • Shelleng
  • Song
  • Toungo
  • Yola North (State capital)
  • Yola South

Map of Adamawa State

Map of Nigeria showing Adamawa State landmass in blue
Adamawa state is located in the northeastern region of Nigeria.

Interesting Facts

  • Adamawa state is the 8th largest in Nigeria in terms of land area, boasting a size of around 36,917 km²
  • As of 2007, the state had a total GDP of ‎$4.58 billion and GDP Per Capita‎ of ‎$1,417.
  • In 1991, Taraba State was carved out from Gongola State, then the remaining part of Gongola State was renamed Adamawa State

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