Jigawa State sits in Nigeria’s North West geopolitical zone, with its capital at Dutse. The state has 27 local government areas and recorded a population of 4,361,002 at the 2006 census, projected to reach 7,499,100 by 2022. The state’s farmland and savanna sit along the Hadejia River basin, and its LGAs stretch from the Katsina border in the west to the Yobe border in the east. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.
Local Government Areas in Jigawa State
Jigawa’s 27 LGAs run from the Hadejia wetlands in the east to the Katsina border in the west, each shown below with its count from the last two population exercises. Follow a linked name to see that LGA’s full list of towns and villages.
| LGA | 2006 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Auyo | 132,268 | 227,400 |
| Babura | 212,955 | 366,200 |
| Biriniwa | 142,015 | 244,200 |
| Birnin Kudu | 314,108 | 540,100 |
| Buji | 97,284 | 167,300 |
| Dutse | 251,135 | 431,800 |
| Gagarawa | 82,153 | 141,300 |
| Garki | 150,261 | 258,400 |
| Gumel | 106,371 | 182,900 |
| Guri | 113,363 | 194,900 |
| Gwaram | 271,368 | 466,600 |
| Gwiwa | 128,730 | 221,400 |
| Hadejia | 104,286 | 179,300 |
| Jahun | 229,882 | 395,300 |
| Kafin Hausa | 267,284 | 459,600 |
| Kaugama | 128,981 | 221,800 |
| Kazaure | 161,161 | 277,100 |
| Kiri Kasama | 192,583 | 331,200 |
| Kiyawa | 172,952 | 297,400 |
| Maigatari | 177,057 | 304,500 |
| Malam Madori | 164,791 | 283,400 |
| Miga | 127,876 | 219,900 |
| Ringim | 192,407 | 330,900 |
| Roni | 77,414 | 133,100 |
| Sule Tankarkar | 134,813 | 231,800 |
| Taura | 131,861 | 226,700 |
| Yankwashi | 95,643 | 164,500 |
Jigawa has 27 official local government areas, and all 27 have full town-and-village lists on this site, from Auyo in the west to Yankwashi near the Kano border.
Geography
Jigawa borders Kano State to the south, Katsina State to the west, Bauchi State to the southeast, Yobe State to the east, and the Republic of Niger to the north. The Hadejia River flows through the north and east of the state, feeding the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands, a floodplain the state shares with Yobe. The wetlands support fishing communities and dry-season grazing, and they draw migratory birds each year. Most of Jigawa lies in the Sudan savanna, with sandy soils across the central and western LGAs giving way to firki clay and seasonally flooded plains near the wetlands in the east. The land is largely flat farmland and open plain, without major hills or forest reserves of note, and the dry season brings the harmattan wind down from the Sahara. As with several North West states near the desert’s edge, Jigawa faces ongoing desertification pressure, and tree-planting drives have targeted its northern LGAs in response.
Economy & Local Life
Farming anchors Jigawa’s economy. Millet, sorghum, cowpea, and groundnut are the leading rain-fed crops, grown across the state’s flat farmland. Irrigation along the Hadejia and Kafin Hausa rivers supports rice, wheat, and vegetable growing through the dry season, and river-fed irrigation schemes have long made parts of Jigawa a dry-season farming center for the north. Cattle, sheep, and goat rearing are widespread across the state, and the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands support fishing during the wet season. Kazaure is known for leatherwork and traditional tanning. Dutse, Hadejia, Gumel, and Birnin Kudu serve as regional markets for grain and livestock trade, drawing traders from neighbouring Kano and Katsina. Weekly markets remain the main point of commerce for most towns, alongside small-scale trading in grain, livestock, and locally made goods. Gum arabic, tapped from acacia stands in the drier north, is gathered by farmers and sold into national and export markets. Jigawa is also home to several traditional emirates, including Dutse, Hadejia, Gumel, Kazaure, and Ringim, whose emirs work alongside elected local government officials on community and land matters.
FAQ
How many local government areas are in Jigawa State?
Jigawa State has 27 local government areas, spread across Nigeria’s North West geopolitical zone.
What is the capital of Jigawa State?
Dutse is the capital of Jigawa State and is also one of the state’s 27 local government areas.
What is the population of Jigawa State?
Jigawa State recorded a population of 4,361,002 at the 2006 census. That figure was projected to reach 7,499,100 by 2022.
Which LGA in Jigawa State has the largest population?
Birnin Kudu is the most populous LGA in Jigawa State, with 314,108 people at the 2006 census and a 2022 projection of 540,100. It ranks first among the state’s 27 LGAs in both counts.
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