Birnin Kebbi is a Local Government Area in Kebbi State, north-western Nigeria, and the capital of the state since 27 August 1991. The LGA sits on the Sokoto River at coordinates 12.466° N, 4.200° E, with an estimated population of 366,200 (2016) and the township postal code is 860101.
Towns and Villages in Birnin Kebbi
The LGA is made up of around 30 named settlements:
| Settlement | Settlement | Settlement |
|---|---|---|
| Bago | Busawa | Dagere |
| Damana | Gandewu | Garu Guri |
| Gawassu | Gazon Fulani | Gazon Zabarmawa |
| Goru | Gulumbe | Gwadangaji |
| Hammari | Harasawa | Janzomo |
| Junju | Kabawa | Kardi Gabas |
| Kardi Tsakiya | Kardi Yamma | Karyo |
| Kawara | Lagga | Makera |
| Nufawa | Randali | Tarasa |
| U/Maifada | Ujariyo | Yamma |
Geography
Birnin Kebbi lies on the Sokoto River in the Sudan savanna belt of north-western Nigeria, close to the Niger Republic border. Major roads connect the town to Argungu (45 km north-east), Jega (35 km south-east), and Bunza (45 km south-west). The state shares boundaries with Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger and Dosso (in the Niger Republic).
Demographics
The 2016 estimate puts the LGA population at 366,200, with the city itself at roughly 125,000. Hausa is the dominant language. The Kebbi (or Kebbawa) people are the principal ethnic group, with significant Fulani, Zabarmawa, and Hausa-Fulani communities. Islam is the predominant religion.
Economy and Local Life
Birnin Kebbi serves as the administrative and commercial hub of the state, hosting the Government House, the State House of Assembly, and the Gwandu Emirate Council. Local markets, agriculture (rice, sorghum, millet, and fish from the Sokoto River), and cross-border trade with Niger drive the economy. Federal University Birnin Kebbi and the Federal Medical Centre are major institutions in the city.
History
The town was established around 1516 by Muhammadu Kanta, who conquered the area from earlier Hausa settlements and founded the Kebbi Kingdom. Birnin Kebbi remained the seat of Kebbi until 1805, when Abdullahi dan Fodio burned it during the Sokoto Caliphate jihad. Argungu became the traditional Kebbi seat in 1827, while Birnin Kebbi was inaugurated as the Gwandu Emirate headquarters in 1906. Statehood followed in 1991, when Kebbi State was created from a part of the former Sokoto State.
Getting There
Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (ICAO: DNBK) sits at Ambursa, 16 km east of the city along the Birnin Kebbi–Argungu road. By road, Birnin Kebbi is around 110 km west of Sokoto and roughly 470 km north-west of Abuja. The Sokoto–Birnin Kebbi highway is the main approach from the south-east.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Birnin Kebbi located?
Birnin Kebbi is the capital of Kebbi State in north-western Nigeria, on the Sokoto River close to the border with Niger.
What is the population of Birnin Kebbi?
The Local Government Area had an estimated population of 366,200 in 2016. The city itself has roughly 125,000 residents.
What is the postal code of Birnin Kebbi?
The township postal code is 860101. Postcodes across the LGA range from 860101 to 860281.
When did Birnin Kebbi become a state capital?
Birnin Kebbi has been the capital of Kebbi State since the state was created on 27 August 1991 from a part of the former Sokoto State.
Who founded Birnin Kebbi?
Birnin Kebbi was founded around 1516 by Muhammadu Kanta, who established it as the seat of the Kebbi Kingdom.
What towns and villages are in Birnin Kebbi?
The LGA contains around 30 settlements including Bago, Busawa, Gulumbe, Makera, Tarasa, and Yamma. The complete list is provided in the table above.