Capital of Zamfara State — Gusau

The history of Zamfara stretches back over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest inhabited regions in what is now northern Nigeria. The Zamfarawa people, from whom the state takes its name, are believed to have migrated from the east and settled the fertile plains between the Sokoto and Zamfara rivers as early as the 11th century. Early Zamfara society was organised around small chieftainc

First governor: Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi (Military Administrator)

Read full Zamfara State history →

The economy of Zamfara is largely based on agriculture, livestock farming, and artisanal mining. The state is known for gold deposits and other mineral resources, although mining activities are still developing.

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

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

Zamfara State, known as “Farming is Our Pride”, relies on Gusau as its primary seat of government.

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