Gusau is a Local Government Area in Zamfara State, north-western Nigeria, and the state capital since 1996. The LGA sits at coordinates 12.17° N, 6.70° E in the Sokoto River basin, with a 2006 census population of 383,162 and a land area of 3,364 km².
Towns and Villages in Gusau
The LGA is made up of 194 named settlements and city wards. The list below was checked name by name against 2015 INEC ward and polling-unit records and the GeoNames settlement gazetteer.
| Settlement | Settlement | Settlement |
|---|---|---|
| Abarma | Aberma | Adarawa |
| Agama Lafiya | Ajia | Ajja |
| Ajjar Fulani | Akuzo | Ala |
| Arzikinda | Babban Kauye | Babbar Korama |
| Baguda | Bakinwa | Bantsa |
| Bauchi | Bawo | Birnin Ruwa |
| Bokawa | Chida | Chulawa |
| Dabbakal | Dan Bina | Dangwani |
| Danturai | Dogon Daji | Dorka |
| Dumma | Dunba | Dunkulawa |
| Duru | Fara Kuwa | Farimana |
| Fasawa | Fura Girki | Gabasawa |
| Gajera | Gangara | Garwaje |
| Geba | Gidan Agama | Gidan Aljeni |
| Gidan Alu | Gidan Amadu | Gidan Ango |
| Gidan Ardo | Gidan Bako | Gidan Baushi |
| Gidan Bawa | Gidan Begini | Gidan Damo |
| Gidan Dan Hagu | Gidan Dan Mai-Zare | Gidan Dogon Daji |
| Gidan Doka | Gidan Fakkun | Gidan Gabi |
| Gidan Girbi | Gidan Goje | Gidan Gula |
| Gidan Halilu | Gidan Husaini | Gidan Idi |
| Gidan Jatto | Gidan Kada | Gidan Kaura |
| Gidan Kolo | Gidan Kuje | Gidan Labo |
| Gidan Ladi | Gidan Magagi | Gidan Magajin Toga |
| Gidan Mage | Gidan Mai Jiro | Gidan Mai Wada |
| Gidan Mai-Jatau | Gidan Malan | Gidan Mallam Chido |
| Gidan Mallam Yaya | Gidan Maman | Gidan Manuga |
| Gidan Musa | Gidan Nawaje | Gidan Nuhu |
| Gidan Sake | Gidan Sarkin Noma | Gidan Shagwo |
| Goberawa | Gora | Gora Wake |
| Gusau | Gyatta | Hadawa |
| Hayi | Hayin Baja | Hayin Bajini |
| Hayin Yakubu | Ingaski | Jan Gemi |
| Janyau | Jaoji | Jeri |
| Jira | Kabasa | Kaboki |
| Kafi | Kaikace | Kamari |
| Kantawa | Karamanje | Karazau |
| Karki | Katsaura | Kazauda |
| Kofa | Kofar Fulani | Kolo |
| Koshiya | Kukar Gandu | Kundumau |
| Kunkelai | Ladaka | Lafiya Dan Kaura |
| Larende | Lilo | Maaji |
| Mada | Madaba | Madarau |
| Madaro | Magami | Mahuta |
| Mai Aiki | Mai Fillani | Mai Nasara |
| Mai Yara | Majiro | Makera |
| Mallam Bawa | Mallamai | Mani |
| Manyar | Maradawa | Marafa |
| Marake | Mareri | Marke |
| Masaka | Mata | Mayana |
| Mazozawa | Nadamau | Nakoto |
| Nasarawa | Nyanga Fulani | Rafi |
| Rijiya | Ruwan Bawa | Ruwan Bore |
| Sabon Gari | Sabon Gida | Sarkin Noma |
| Shemori | Takoka | Tangali |
| Tofa | Togai | Tsauni |
| Tsaunuka | Tubwibwi | Tudun Wada |
| Tungar Haki | Unguwar Dawaki | Unguwar Sarkin Pawa |
| Ungwan Bauka | Ungwan Dan Jumo | Ungwan Dan Madubu |
| Ungwan Danwaru | Ungwan Liman | Ungwan Mallam Koshi |
| Ungwan Mallam Sani | Ungwan Momo | Wanke |
| Wauni | Wonaka | Yalwa |
| Yan Shawara | Yar Doka | Yargeba |
| Yelwa | Zaman Gira | Zauni |
| Zawiyya | Zonai |
Geography
Gusau LGA lies in the Sokoto River basin in north-western Nigeria. The wider state shares borders with Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi states, and a northern border with the Republic of Niger.
Demographics
The 2006 census recorded the LGA population at 383,162. Hausa-Fulani is the dominant ethnic group; Hausa is the principal language. Islam is the predominant religion.
Economy and Local Life
Gusau serves as the administrative and commercial hub of Zamfara State, with road and rail connections that have made it a regional trade centre since the colonial era. Agriculture (millet, sorghum, groundnut, cotton) and government services drive the local economy. Federal University Gusau is a notable educational institution.
History
Gusau was founded around 1799 by Mallam Muhammadu Sambo Dan Ashafa, a disciple of Usman dan Fodio. The settlement grew in importance after the fall of Yandoto in 1806. Under British colonial rule it became a key commercial and administrative centre due to its road and rail networks. Gusau was designated capital of the newly created Zamfara State in 1996, when the state was carved out of Sokoto State under General Sani Abacha.
Getting There
Gusau is connected by road and rail to Sokoto, Kaduna and Kano. The Gusau–Sokoto road links the city north-west to Sokoto, while the railway provides historic links to the broader north-western network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gusau located?
Gusau is the capital of Zamfara State in north-western Nigeria, in the Sokoto River basin.
What is the population of Gusau?
The Gusau Local Government Area had a population of 383,162 according to the 2006 census.
How big is Gusau?
Gusau LGA covers a total land area of 3,364 square kilometres.
When did Gusau become a state capital?
Gusau was designated the capital of Zamfara State in 1996, when the state was created from a part of the former Sokoto State.
Who founded Gusau?
Gusau was founded around 1799 by Mallam Muhammadu Sambo Dan Ashafa, a disciple of Usman dan Fodio.
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