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🏠 Local Government Areas • North East

Taraba State
Local Government Areas

Taraba State has 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs), each with its own council, headquarters and elected officials. The state capital is Jalingo.

16 Total LGAs
3 Senatorial Districts
2,237,000 Population (2006 Census)
StateTaraba
CapitalJalingo
ZoneNorth East
LGAs16
Districts3
16 of 16 LGAs
Taraba Central 5 LGAs
Taraba LGA
Bali
HQ: Bali
Pop: 115,000 (2006)
Known for the Mumuye people and yam, sorghum farming. Agricultural LGA in central Taraba.
Taraba LGA
Kumi
HQ: Kumi
Pop: 82,000 (2006)
Small LGA known for the Wurkum and Yandang people. Agricultural activities are main occupation.
Taraba LGA
Wukari
HQ: Wukari
Pop: 215,000 (2006)
Historic seat of the Jukun kingdom (Kwararafa empire). Known for the Aku Uka palace.
Taraba LGA
Yorro
HQ: Yorro
Pop: 112,000 (2006)
Agricultural LGA known for yam and sorghum farming. The Yoro people have distinct cultural practices.
Taraba LGA
Zing
HQ: Zing
Pop: 130,000 (2006)
Known for the Mumuye people and yam farming. Agricultural LGA in central Taraba State.
Taraba North 6 LGAs
Taraba LGA
Ardo-Kola
HQ: Lau
Pop: 106,000 (2006)
Known for the Chamba and Fulani people. Cattle rearing and sorghum farming are main occupations.
Taraba LGA
Gassol
HQ: Gassol
Pop: 179,000 (2006)
Agricultural LGA known for yam and sorghum farming. The Jukun people have strong cultural heritage.
Taraba LGA
Ibi
HQ: Ibi
Pop: 132,000 (2006)
Known for the Jukun people and fishing along the Benue River. Historic Jukun kingdom town.
Taraba LGA
Jalingo
HQ: Jalingo
Pop: 253,000 (2006)
Contains Jalingo, the Taraba State capital. Home to Taraba State University and government offices.
Taraba LGA
Karim Lamido
HQ: Karim
Pop: 148,000 (2006)
Known for the Fulani and Kanuri people. Cattle rearing and sorghum farming are main occupations.
Taraba LGA
Lau
HQ: Lau
Pop: 110,000 (2006)
Riverine LGA on the Benue River, known for fishing and the Chamba people cultural heritage.
Taraba South 5 LGAs
Taraba LGA
Donga
HQ: Donga
Pop: 132,000 (2006)
Known for the Tiv, Jukun and Fulani people. Commercial LGA in southern Taraba State.
Taraba LGA
Gashaka
HQ: Serti
Pop: 90,000 (2006)
Home to Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Nigerias largest national park. Known for wildlife and ecotourism.
Taraba LGA
Sardauna
HQ: Gembu
Pop: 165,000 (2006)
Mountainous LGA bordering Cameroon, known for the Mambilla Plateau, cattle and tea farming.
Taraba LGA
Takum
HQ: Takum
Pop: 168,000 (2006)
Known for the Kuteb and Jukun people. Commercial LGA in southern Taraba bordering Benue State.
Taraba LGA
Ussa
HQ: Ussa
Pop: 100,000 (2006)
Known for the Tiv and Kuteb people. Agricultural LGA in southern Taraba State.
Frequently Asked Questions — Taraba State LGAs

Taraba State has 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Each LGA has its own elected council, a chairman, and a headquarters town. They are responsible for grassroots governance, primary education, primary healthcare, and rural infrastructure.

Taraba State is divided into 3 senatorial districts. Each district is represented by a senator in the Nigerian National Assembly and comprises several LGAs. The districts in Taraba State are: Taraba Central, Taraba North, Taraba South.

Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria are the third tier of government. Their constitutional responsibilities include:

  • Primary and adult education
  • Primary healthcare and maternal services
  • Local roads and drains
  • Markets, motor parks and public conveniences
  • Refuse disposal and environmental sanitation
  • Naming of streets and numbering of houses
  • Collection of local taxes and rates
LGAs receive monthly allocations from the Federation Account (FAAC) and generate internally through rates and fees.

Each LGA is headed by an elected Local Government Chairman, who serves as the chief executive of the council. The legislative arm is the Legislative Council, made up of elected councillors representing each ward. The council appoints supervisory councillors (equivalent to commissioners) to head departments like education, health and works.

The headquarters of a Local Government Area is the principal town or city where the council secretariat (local government secretariat) is located. It is where the chairman's office, legislative hall, and most council departments are based. The headquarters is usually the largest or most central town in the LGA.