About Adamawa State

Adamawa State is a state in the North-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered by Borno to the northwest, Gombe to the west, and Taraba to the southwest while its eastern border forms part of the national border with Cameroon. It takes its name from the historic emirate of Adamawa, with the emirate’s old capital of Yola serving as the capital city of Adamawa State. The state was formed in 1991 when the former Gongola State was broken up into Adamawa and Taraba states. The state is one of the most heterogeneous in Nigeria, having over 100 indigenous ethnic groups.

Of the 36 states, Adamawa is the eighth largest in area, but the thirteenth least populous with an estimated population of about 4.25 million as of 2016. Geographically, the state is mainly composed of highlands and mountains (the Atlantika, Mandara, and the Shebshi ranges) and the Adamawa Plateau crossed by valleys and rivers, most notably the Benue and Gongola rivers. The lowlands of Adamawa are part of the West Sudanian savanna in the north and the wetter Guinean forest–savanna mosaic in parts of the south, while elevated areas are parts of the Mandara Plateau mosaic and Cameroonian Highlands forests ecoregions. In the extreme south of the state is part of the Gashaka Gumti National Park, a large wildlife park that contains large populations of bushbuck, African buffalo, patas monkey, black-and-white colobus, giant pangolin, and hippopotamus along with some of Nigeria’s last remaining Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, African leopard, and African golden cat populations.

What is now known as Adamawa state has been inhabited for years by various ethnic groups, including the Bwatiye (Bachama), Bali, Bata (Gbwata), Gudu, Mbula-Bwazza, and Nungurab (Lunguda) in the central region; the Kamwe in the north and central region; the Jibu in the far south; the Kilba, Mafa, Marghi, and Waga in the north, and the Mumuye in the south while the Fulani live throughout the state — often as nomadic herders. Adamawa is also religiously diverse as about 50% of the population is Sunni Muslim and 40% is Christian (mainly Lutheran, EYN, ECWA, and Pentecostal), while the remaining 10% are adherents of traditional ethnic religions.

As an agriculturally-based state, the Adamawa State economy mainly relies on livestock and crops, such as cotton, groundnuts, millet, cassava, guinea corn, and yams. Due to the Boko Haram insurgency affecting development in the state,[10] Adamawa has the eleventh lowest Human Development Index in the country but as the insurgency has abated since 2016 due to terrorist infighting, development has been renewed.

Introduction

Adamawa State is one of the six states which make up the North-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It shares an international boundary with the Republic of Cameroon to the East and interstate borders with Borno State to the North, Gombe State to the North-West, and Taraba State to the West and South.

Landmass Location and Population

Adamawa State covers an area of 36,917 square kilometres. It lies at latitude 9°20′ North and 12°30′East. It has a population of 3,178,950 (2006 census), 4, 248, 436 (2016 forecast) and a population density of 81. The state accounts for 2.26% of Nigeria’s total population.

History and People

The state’s name comes from Modibbo Adama, a Fulani disciple of Usman Dan Fodio and the founder of the Adamawa Emirate.
The emirate, which traces its origins back to 1809, is headquartered in Yola. The emirs are known by the traditional title of Baban-Lamido.
Adamawa State initially existed as part of the Northern Region in the three-region structure of 1954. It was then known as Adamawa Province.
In 1967, the military government of General Yakubu Gowon created twelve federal states and Adamawa became a part of the North-Eastern State.
With the creation of nineteen states in 1976 by the military government of General Murtala Muhammed, Adamawa became a part of Gongola State.
In 1991, the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida divided Gongola State into Adamawa and Taraba States.
The main ethnic groups in the state are the Fulani, Bwatiye, Chamba, Higgi, Mbula, Margi, Kilba, Ga’anda, Longuda, Kanakuru, Bille, Bura, Yandang, Yungur, Fali, Gude, Verre and Libo.
Islam and Christianity are the two major religions in the state although some of its inhabitants practice traditional religions.

Main town and Cities

  • Yola (capital city)
  • Mubi
  • Ganye
  • Numan
  • Guyuk
  • Michika
  • Mayo-Belwa
  • Gombi
  • Jimeta

Administrator and Governors

  • Abubakar Salihu (Administrator – Military): August 1991 – January 1992
  • Abubakar Saleh Michika (Governor – Civilian (National Republican Convention)): January 1992 – November 1993
  • Gregory Agboneni (Administrator – Military): December 1993 – September 1994
  • Mustapha Ismail (Administrator – Military): September 1994 – August 1996
  • Joe Kalu-Igboama (Administrator – Military): August 1996 – August 1998
  • Ahmadu G. Hussaini (Administrator – Military): August 1998 – May 1999
  • Boni Haruna (Governor – Civilian (People’s Democratic Party)): May 1999 – May 2007
  • Murtala Nyako (Governor – Civilian (People’s Democratic Party)): May 2007 – February 2008
  • James Barka (Acting Governor): February 2008 – April 2008
  • Murtala Nyako (Governor – Civilian (People’s Democratic Party/All Progressive Congress)): April 2008 – July 2014
  • Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Acting Governor – Civilian (People’s Democratic Party)): July 2014 – October 2014
  • Bala James Ngilari (Governor – Civilian (People’s Democratic Party)): October 2014 – May 2015
  • Bindo Jibrilla (Governor – Civilian (All Progressive Congress)): May 2015 – May 2019.
  • Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Governor – Civilian (People’s Democratic Party)): May 2019 – Present.

Economy and Education

Adamawa’s vegetation is primarily savannah and its people are mostly farmers. Cotton, groundnuts, maize, yam, cassava, guinea corn, millet, and rice are all grown in the state. Village communities living on the banks of the state’s rivers engage in fishing, while its Fulani population rears cattle.
The most important mineral resource in Adamawa is Iron. Others include lead, zinc and limestone.
The major tertiary institutions in the state are ModibboAdama University of Technology in Yola, Adamawa State Polytechnic (also in Yola), Adamawa State University in Mubi, the American University of Nigeria, Yola, and Federal College of Education, Yola.

Cultures and Traditional

  • Sukur Cultural Landscape, Madagali LGA

The Sukur Cultural Landscape was the first place in Nigeria to be declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The settlement dates back many centuries and is notable for its history of iron smelting technology, flourishing trade, and strong political institutions. Its paved tracks and terraced farmlands are unique to this part of the world. Its architecture is also remarkable, in particular the Palace of the Hidi (Chief), the centre of this culture’s spiritual life.

  • Yadim Waterfall, Fufore LGA

Located in Yadim village, Fufore local government area of Adamawa State, the waterfall is one of the 16 tourists’ attractions recognised by the state government. It provides refreshing scenery for tourists and picnickers visiting the North-East state for leisure.

  • Koma Hills, Jada LGA

Koma is a primitive ethnic group in Northern Adamawa near Nigeria’s border with Cameroun.
The predominantly hilly settlements are often described by researchers as animal farms because of the presence of various species of animals in the location.
The settlements are under the control of clan heads or chiefs.

  • Gashaka Gumti National Park, Toungo LGA

Gashaka Gumti National Park is the largest park in Nigeria and covers 6,731 square kilometres. It is located in Toungo local government area of Adamawa State.
The park was created by the Federal Government in 1971and derived its name from two of the region’s oldest and most historic settlements: Gashaka village in Taraba and Gumti village in Adamawa State.
The lush forests, rugged topography including mountains and plateau as well as rich assemblage of wildlife make Gashaka Gumti National Park one of the largest single protected areas in Africa.