Nasarawa State sits in Nigeria’s North Central geopolitical zone, bordering the Federal Capital Territory. Its capital is Lafia. The state has 13 local government areas, a population of 1,869,377 at the 2006 census, and a 2022 projection of 2,886,000. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.
Local Government Areas in Nasarawa State
The table below lists all 13 LGAs alphabetically, with their 2006 census population and 2022 projection, so you can find any local government area and jump straight to its full settlement list.
| LGA | 2006 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Akwanga | 111,902 | 172,800 |
| Awe | 113,083 | 174,600 |
| Doma | 138,991 | 214,600 |
| Karu | 216,230 | 333,800 |
| Keana | 81,801 | 126,300 |
| Keffi | 92,550 | 142,900 |
| Kokona | 108,558 | 167,600 |
| Lafia | 329,922 | 509,300 |
| Nasarawa | 187,220 | 289,000 |
| Nasarawa-Eggon | 148,405 | 229,100 |
| Obi | 148,977 | 230,000 |
| Toto | 119,051 | 183,800 |
| Wamba | 72,687 | 112,200 |
Nasarawa State has 13 official LGAs, and all 13 have full town-and-village lists on this site, each with its own settlement table, demographics, and local geography, giving a single reference point for every LGA’s towns, wards, and villages across the state.
Geography
Nasarawa State borders the Federal Capital Territory to the west, Kaduna State to the north, Plateau State to the east, and Benue State to the south. The terrain shifts from low-lying plains along the Benue floodplain in the south to rugged highlands around Wamba, Akwanga, and Nasarawa-Eggon in the north and east. The Farin Ruwa waterfall, near Wamba, is one of the state’s best-known natural landmarks, dropping from a rocky escarpment into a wooded gorge below. Much of the state lies within Nigeria’s Guinea savanna belt, with open grassland and scattered trees giving way to denser vegetation along the river valleys. The Karu axis, bordering Abuja, has grown quickly as a residential base for commuters who work in the Federal Capital Territory. The state was created in 1996 out of the old Plateau State, taking its name from the Nasarawa River that runs through it. Its climate follows the typical pattern for this part of Nigeria: a rainy season from roughly April to October and a dry season from November to March, with dusty harmattan winds settling in around December and January. Rocky outcrops and inselbergs rise across several LGAs, particularly around Akwanga and Nasarawa-Eggon, shaping how villages sit against the landscape and how farmland is laid out around them. Vegetation ranges from open savanna grassland in the lowlands to more wooded terrain on the hill slopes, supporting both crop farming and livestock grazing side by side.
Economy & Local Life
Farming carries most households in Nasarawa State, with yams, rice, sesame (beniseed), guinea corn, and groundnuts as the leading crops. Sesame grown here ranks among Nigeria’s major export crops, moving from local markets to processors and international buyers. Salt production has a long history around Keana, once a key source for salt trade across the wider region. Quarrying and small-scale mining support local trade in several LGAs, and Fulani herders keep cattle, goats, and sheep across the state’s grazing lands. Weekly markets remain the main hub for buying, selling, and exchanging local goods, and towns along the Abuja border also draw traders and commuters from the capital. Local government headquarters double as administrative and trading centres, drawing farmers and civil servants from surrounding villages on market days. Pottery, weaving, and blacksmithing continue in several communities alongside farming, passed down through families rather than run as factory trades. Proximity to Abuja gives the state an edge in supplying food, building materials, and labour to the capital, and many residents commute daily between the two. The state is also known nationally for solid minerals such as barite, salt, and clay, mined in commercial quantities in several LGAs and used in construction and oil-drilling industries elsewhere in the country.
FAQ
How many local government areas are in Nasarawa State?
Nasarawa State has 13 local government areas, spread across three senatorial zones in Nigeria’s North Central region.
What is the capital of Nasarawa State?
The capital of Nasarawa State is Lafia, which is also the state’s most populous LGA.
What is the population of Nasarawa State?
Nasarawa State had a population of 1,869,377 at the 2006 census, with a 2022 projection of 2,886,000 people.
Which LGA in Nasarawa State has the largest population?
Lafia LGA is the most populous in Nasarawa State, with 329,922 people at the 2006 census and a 2022 projection of 509,300.
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