Plateau State sits in Nigeria’s North Central zone, on the highlands the country calls the Jos Plateau. Its capital is Jos. The state has 17 local government areas, with a population of 3,206,531 at the 2006 census and a 2022 projection of 4,717,300. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.
Local Government Areas in Plateau State
Plateau State’s 17 local government areas stretch from the Jos metropolitan councils in the north to farming districts on the Shendam and Wase plains in the south. Jos North, Jos South, and Jos East form the state’s urban core, while Bassa, Kanam, and Wase remain largely rural. The table below lists each LGA with its 2006 census figure and 2022 projection, alongside a link to our full settlement list where one exists.
| LGA | 2006 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Barkin Ladi | 179,805 | 264,500 |
| Bassa | 189,834 | 279,300 |
| Bokkos | 179,550 | 264,100 |
| Jos East | 88,301 | 129,900 |
| Jos North | 437,217 | 643,200 |
| Jos South | 311,392 | 458,100 |
| Kanam | 167,619 | 246,600 |
| Kanke | 124,268 | 182,800 |
| Langtang North | 142,316 | 209,400 |
| Langtang South | 105,173 | 154,700 |
| Mangu | 300,520 | 442,100 |
| Mikang | 96,388 | 141,800 |
| Pankshin | 190,114 | 279,700 |
| Qua’an Pan | 197,276 | 290,200 |
| Riyom | 131,778 | 193,900 |
| Shendam | 205,119 | 301,800 |
| Wase | 159,861 | 235,200 |
Plateau State has 17 official local government areas. Sixteen of them have full town-and-village lists on this site; only Bassa is not yet covered.
Geography
Plateau State occupies the highland plateau at the centre of Nigeria, with elevations that give Jos a cooler climate than most of the country. Kaduna State lies to the northwest, Bauchi State to the northeast, Taraba State to the southeast, and Nasarawa State to the south. The plateau’s granite rock outcrops are a distinctive feature of the landscape, including the balancing rocks near Riyom and the Shere Hills that overlook Jos from the east. In Wase, a solitary volcanic plug known as the Wase Rock rises from the surrounding plain and remains a well-known local landmark. Rivers rising on the plateau feed both the Niger and Benue systems downstream, and the higher terrain around Jos, Bokkos, and Pankshin stays noticeably cooler than the lowland districts toward Shendam and Wase. The mix of highland and lowland terrain across the 17 LGAs shapes what each community can grow and how people build their homes. Plateau is also home to a wide range of distinct ethnic groups, each concentrated in its own cluster of LGAs, among them the Berom, Ngas, Mwaghavul, Tarok, and Ron, alongside many smaller communities. That diversity is one reason the state’s local government boundaries follow such varied and specific lines.
Economy & Local Life
Farming dominates life outside Jos, with potatoes, tomatoes, maize, and acha (fonio) grown across the highland districts thanks to the cooler climate. Fruit and vegetable growing has long been associated with the Jos Plateau, and produce from Bokkos, Mangu, and Pankshin supplies markets across northern and central Nigeria. Tin and columbite mining built Jos into a commercial hub through the twentieth century, and the old mining ponds still mark the landscape around the city. Cattle and small ruminant rearing is common in Bassa, Wase, and the southern LGAs, often alongside settled crop farming. Jos itself carries a long history as a trading centre for the wider Middle Belt region, drawing traders and travellers from neighbouring states. Local markets in Pankshin, Shendam, and Langtang serve as gathering points for farmers from the surrounding villages on their scheduled market days. Pottery, weaving, and other craftwork remain part of everyday life in many of the smaller communities, passed down through families rather than sold at commercial scale. Civil service employment tied to the state government also anchors household income in and around Jos.
FAQ
How many local government areas are in Plateau State?
Plateau State has 17 local government areas, spanning the Jos metropolitan district and rural councils to the north, south, and east.
What is the capital of Plateau State?
Jos is the capital of Plateau State and its largest urban centre, split across the Jos North, Jos South, and Jos East LGAs.
What is the population of Plateau State?
Plateau State had a population of 3,206,531 at the 2006 census. The 2022 projection puts the figure at 4,717,300.
Which LGA in Plateau State has the largest population?
Jos North is the most populous LGA in Plateau State, with 437,217 people at the 2006 census. Its 2022 projection is 643,200.
See a wrong or missing town? Report a problem with this list