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Jigawa

“The New World”

Capital Dutse
Zone North West
LGAs 27
Population 5,800,000
2026 Budget ₦901.8B

About Jigawa

Jigawa State is located in the North-West region of Nigeria, created in 1991 from the old Kano State. It is largely rural and known for agriculture, trade, and strong cultural traditions of the Hausa-Fulani people.
Historical Background
The territory that now constitutes Jigawa State has been inhabited since ancient times, with archaeological evidence of settled communities along the Hadejia and Jama'are river systems dating back well over a thousand years. The region lies at the crossroads of some of the most s… Read full history →

Quick Facts — Jigawa

Official nameJigawa
Capital city Dutse
Slogan / MottoThe New World
Geo-political zone North West
Local govt areas 27 LGAs →
Population (census) 5,800,000
Population density 250 / km²
Total area 23,154 km²
First governor Colonel Aliu Mohammed
2026 budget ₦901.8B →

Frequently Asked Questions — Jigawa

The capital city of Jigawa State is Dutse. It is the seat of the Jigawa State Government, the governor's office and the state legislature.
Jigawa State has 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Each LGA has its own elected council and chairman responsible for grassroots governance, primary education and community infrastructure.
According to the National Population Commission, Jigawa State has a population of 5,800,000. The state capital Dutse is the most populated urban centre. The population density is approximately 250 persons per km².
Jigawa State is in the North West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The zone includes several other states and sends representatives to the Nigeria Governors' Forum and the National Assembly.
Jigawa State was created in 1991. The first governor was Colonel Aliu Mohammed. Learn more on the Jigawa State History page.
The Jigawa State budget for 2026 is ₦901.8B. See the full breakdown on the Jigawa State Budget page, including capital expenditure, IGR and sector allocations.
Jigawa State covers a total land area of 23,154 km². With a population density of 250 people per km².

Economy of Jigawa

The economy of Jigawa is primarily agrarian, with farming activities such as rice, millet, sorghum, maize, and groundnuts. Livestock farming and cross-border trade with Niger Republic also contribute significantly.

Demographics & Geography

Population: Estimated over 7 million. The state is predominantly Hausa-Fulani with Islam as the major religion and strong traditional emirate systems.
5,800,000
Population
23,154
Area km²
250
Per km²
27
LGAs

Culture & Tourism in Jigawa

Jigawa State features rich Hausa cultural heritage, traditional festivals, and historic emirates such as Hadejia and Dutse. The state is also known for the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands, a major ecological attraction.

Local Government Areas in Jigawa

27 LGAs

Auyo
HQ: Auyo
115,000
Population

Known for fishing in Lake Marma and sorghum farming. Predominantly Hausa and Fulani communities.

Babura
HQ: Babura
195,000
Population

Known for groundnut and millet farming. Important commercial LGA in northwest Jigawa.

Biriniwa
HQ: Biriniwa
115,000
Population

Agricultural LGA known for sorghum, millet and groundnut farming in northeastern Jigawa.

Birnin Kudu
HQ: Birnin Kudu
280,000
Population

Second largest city in Jigawa, known for groundnuts, onions and the Birnin Kudu emirate.

Buji
HQ: Buji
95,000
Population

Small LGA known for millet and sorghum farming in eastern Jigawa.

Dutse
HQ: Dutse
300,000
Population

Contains Dutse, the Jigawa State capital. Home to Federal University Dutse and state institutions.

Gagarawa
HQ: Gagarawa
88,000
Population

Agricultural LGA known for groundnuts and millet. Communities are predominantly Hausa farmers.

Garki
HQ: Garki
118,000
Population

Known for sorghum, millet and groundnut farming in northeastern Jigawa.

Gumel
HQ: Gumel
192,000
Population

Historic emirate town. Major commercial centre known for tomatoes and onion trading.

Guri
HQ: Guri
115,000
Population

Agricultural LGA known for guinea corn and millet. Communities also rear animals.

Gwaram
HQ: Gwaram
220,000
Population

Large LGA known for groundnuts, sesame and millet farming. Important agricultural zone.

Gwiwa
HQ: Gwiwa
130,000
Population

Agricultural LGA known for millet, sorghum and livestock in northwest Jigawa.

Hadejia
HQ: Hadejia
240,000
Population

Historic emirate city on the Hadejia River. Known for fishing, irrigation farming and the Hadejia emirate.

Jahun
HQ: Jahun
175,000
Population

Known for onion and tomato farming using Kano River irrigation. Important vegetable supply zone.

Kafin Hausa
HQ: Kafin Hausa
193,000
Population

Known for sorghum, groundnuts and the weekly market attracting traders from across northern Nigeria.

Kaugama
HQ: Kaugama
118,000
Population

Agricultural LGA known for millet and sorghum in northeast Jigawa.

Kazaure
HQ: Kazaure
213,000
Population

Historic emirate city. Known for the Kazaure emirate, millet farming and weekly cattle market.

Kiri Kasama
HQ: Kiri Kasama
100,000
Population

Small LGA known for millet and sorghum farming in northeastern Jigawa.

Kiyawa
HQ: Kiyawa
170,000
Population

Agricultural LGA known for groundnuts, sorghum and millet. Important market LGA in eastern Jigawa.

Maigatari
HQ: Maigatari
195,000
Population

Border LGA with Niger Republic. Known for cross-border trade, cattle and millet.

Malam Madori
HQ: Malam Madori
150,000
Population

Agricultural LGA known for millet, sorghum and groundnut farming near the Niger border.

Miga
HQ: Miga
130,000
Population

Known for groundnuts and millet farming. Communities engage in trade along the Kano-Maiduguri highway.

Ringim
HQ: Ringim
230,000
Population

Important commercial LGA in eastern Jigawa, known for groundnuts, livestock and the Ringim market.

Roni
HQ: Roni
100,000
Population

Small agricultural LGA known for millet and groundnut farming in northwestern Jigawa.

Sule Tankarkar
HQ: Sule Tankarkar
110,000
Population

Agricultural LGA known for sorghum and groundnut farming. Sparsely populated with pastoral communities.

Taura
HQ: Taura
165,000
Population

Known for groundnuts and millet farming. Communities are engaged in agriculture and animal rearing.

Yankwashi
HQ: Yankwashi
95,000
Population

Small agricultural LGA known for millet, sorghum and the Yankwashi weekly market.

History of Jigawa State

The territory that now constitutes Jigawa State has been inhabited since ancient times, with archaeological evidence of settled communities along the Hadejia and Jama'are river systems dating back well over a thousand years. The region lies at the crossroads of some of the most significant political…
Historical Kingdoms: Kanem-Borno Empire, Hausa Bakwai states of Biram and Garun Gabas, Gumel Emirate, Hadejia Emirate, Kazaure Emirate, Ringim Emirate
🕐 Read Full History of Jigawa →

2026 Appropriation

₦901.8B
Total Budget — Jigawa State
📄 View Full Budget Breakdown →

Jigawa State Budget 2026

The 2026 budget for Jigawa State under Governor Umar Namadi totals ₦901.8B. The budget details include capital expenditure, recurrent expenditure, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), federal allocation (FAAC) and sector allocations covering education, health, infrastructure, security and agriculture.

See full budget details, sector allocations and year-on-year comparison →

Compare State Budgets

See how Jigawa State compares to all 36 states and FCT Abuja.

📄 Nigeria State Budgets — All 37 States →