Kebbi State sits in Nigeria’s North West geopolitical zone, with its capital at Birnin Kebbi. The state has 21 local government areas and a population of 3,256,541 at the 2006 census, projected to reach 5,563,900 by 2022. It shares borders with two other countries and three Nigerian states, and its towns range from the Niger-valley farming districts around Birnin Kebbi to the hill country around Zuru in the far southeast. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.
Local Government Areas in Kebbi State
The table lists all 21 official LGAs alphabetically, with 2006 census and 2022 projected populations.
| LGA | 2006 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Aleiro | 67,078 | 114,600 |
| Arewa-Dandi | 189,728 | 324,200 |
| Argungu | 200,248 | 342,100 |
| Augie | 116,368 | 198,800 |
| Bagudo | 238,014 | 406,700 |
| Birnin Kebbi | 268,620 | 458,900 |
| Bunza | 123,547 | 211,100 |
| Dandi | 146,211 | 249,800 |
| Fakai | 119,772 | 204,600 |
| Gwandu | 151,077 | 258,100 |
| Jega | 197,757 | 337,900 |
| Kalgo | 84,928 | 145,100 |
| Koko/Besse | 154,818 | 264,500 |
| Maiyama | 173,759 | 296,900 |
| Ngaski | 126,102 | 215,400 |
| Sakaba | 91,728 | 156,700 |
| Shanga | 127,142 | 217,200 |
| Suru | 148,474 | 253,700 |
| Wasagu/Danko | 265,271 | 453,200 |
| Yauri | 100,564 | 171,800 |
| Zuru | 165,335 | 282,500 |
Kebbi State has 21 official local government areas; 12 of them have full town-and-village lists on this site.
Geography
Kebbi State lies in Nigeria’s far northwest, bordering Niger Republic to the north and Benin Republic to the west. Sokoto State lies to the northeast, Zamfara State to the east, and Niger State to the south. The River Niger and the River Rima cross the state, meeting near Argungu, and their floodplains shape farming and fishing across much of Kebbi. Much of the state is flat sudan-savanna country, with sandy soils along the river valleys and drier scrubland further from the water. The Yauri area, in the south, sits near Kainji Lake, while the landscape around Zuru and Sakaba turns hillier as the state approaches the Niger State border. A long dry harmattan season runs from November into February, followed by a shorter rainy season that carries most of the year’s farming activity. The state is part of the wider Sokoto-Rima river basin, one of the drier corners of Nigeria, so life in most LGAs stays closely tied to the annual flood-and-recede cycle of the Niger and Rima rather than year-round rainfall alone. Fadama land along both rivers, flooded in the wet season and farmed as the water retreats, supports much of the dry-season cropping that sets Kebbi apart from its neighbours.
Economy & Local Life
Kebbi is one of Nigeria’s leading rice-growing states, with irrigation schemes along the Niger and Rima valleys supporting large-scale paddy farming. Farmers also grow millet, sorghum, onions, and groundnuts, while livestock rearing is common across the drier eastern LGAs. Fishing along the Niger and Rima is a major livelihood, most visibly at Argungu, home of the annual fishing festival that draws visitors from across the region. Cross-border trade with Niger and Benin runs through markets in Birnin Kebbi, Jega, and other border towns, moving livestock, grain, and household goods both ways. Traditional crafts remain part of daily life in many communities, including weaving, pottery, leatherwork, and blacksmithing, often sold alongside farm produce on local market days. Fulani herders keep cattle, sheep, and goats across the drier LGAs, moving stock seasonally between grazing grounds, while riverine communities along the Niger and Rima build and repair wooden canoes used for both fishing and transport. Weekly markets in towns such as Argungu, Jega, and Zuru remain the main outlets for grain, livestock, and craft goods across rural Kebbi, drawing traders from surrounding villages on set market days each week.
FAQ
How many local government areas are in Kebbi State?
Kebbi State has 21 local government areas. Full town-and-village lists are linked in the table above wherever this site covers that LGA.
What is the capital of Kebbi State?
Birnin Kebbi is the capital of Kebbi State. It is also the name of the LGA that surrounds the city.
What is the population of Kebbi State?
Kebbi State had a population of 3,256,541 at the 2006 census, projected to reach 5,563,900 by 2022. Those figures cover all 21 local government areas combined.
Which LGA in Kebbi State has the largest population?
Birnin Kebbi LGA has the largest population, with a 2022 projection of 458,900. Wasagu/Danko and Bagudo follow, each projected above 400,000 by the same year.
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