Capital of Nasarawa State — Lafia

The territory that constitutes present-day Nasarawa State has been inhabited for millennia, with archaeological evidence suggesting human settlement dating back to the Iron Age. The region sits at the crossroads of the Middle Belt, where the vast Nigerian plateau descends southward into the Benue River valley, creating a landscape of rivers, forests and savanna that supported diverse agricultural

First governor: Alh. Aliyu Akwe Doma (first elected governor); Lt. Col. Usman Faruk (first military administrator)

Read full Nasarawa State history →

The economy of Nasarawa State is driven by agriculture, solid mineral mining, and trade. Major crops include yam, rice, maize, and sesame. The state is also rich in natural resources such as salt, coal, iron ore, and marble, attracting mining investments.

As capital, Lafia concentrates civil service employment and administrative services that support the wider Nasarawa economy.

Lafia is the political and administrative centre of Nasarawa State in Nigeria’s North Central zone. Government House, the State House of Assembly and core ministries are based here.

Nasarawa State, known as “Home of Solid Minerals”, relies on Lafia as its primary seat of government.

For census totals, growth rates and LGA breakdowns, use the dedicated Nasarawa population page — this capital page focuses on the seat of government, not state-wide demographics.