"Taraba" redirects here. For other uses, see Taraba (disambiguation).
Taraba
State
Coordinates8°00′N 10°30′E
CountryNigeria
Date created27 August 1991
CapitalJalingo
Governing bodyGovernment of Taraba State
Leader nameAgbu Kefas
Leader partyPDP
Governor
(List)		Agbu Kefas
Deputy GovernorAminu Abdullahi Alkali (PDP)
LegislatureTaraba State House of Assembly
SenatorsC: Haruna Manu (PDP)
N: Shuaibu Isa Lau (PDP)
S: David Jimkuta (APC)
RepresentativesList
Unit prefMetric
Area total54,473 km²
Area rank3rd of 36
Population total2,294,800[1]
Population as of2006 census
Population rank30th of 36
Population est3,609,800[2]
Pop est as of2022
Year2021
Total$13.27 billion[3]
Per capita$3,720[3]
Time zoneWAT (UTC+01)
postal code660001
Iso codeNG-TA
Websitetarabastate.gov.ng
HDI (2022)0.527[4]
low · 26th of 37

Taraba (Listen) is a state in north-eastern Nigeria, named after the Taraba River, which traverses the southern part of the state. It is nicknamed "Nature's Gift to the Nation". The state capital is Jalingo. It is home to a diverse population including about 80 distinct ethnicities and their languages.[5][6][7]

History

Taraba state was created out of the former Gongola state on 27 August 1991 by the military government of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. The state is an amalgamation of three former divisions: Wukari, Mambilla, and Muri.

Geography

Taraba state is bordered on the west by Nasarawa state and Benue state for 109 km, northwest by Plateau state for 202 km, north by the Bauchi state for 54 km and Gombe state for 58 km, northeast by Adamawa state for about 366 km and south by Northwest Region in Cameroon for about 525 km.

Rivers

The Benue, Donga, and Taraba are the main rivers in the state. They begin in the Cameroonian mountains, draining almost the entire length of the state on their way North, before heading west to link up with the Niger River.[8]

Climate

Taraba state has an annual average temperature of 33°C. It receives 100.64 millimeters (3.96 inches) of rainfall a year, with increased rainfall around August,[9] and has an average relative humidity of 54.98%. The state is hottest in March and April with an average high of 40.44°C.[10]

Flood

In April 2023, many homes and commercial buildings in Taraba State were affected by flooding.[11][12]

Government

Local government areas

See also: List of villages in Taraba State

Taraba State consists of sixteen (16) Local Government Areas (LGAs), which are governed by elected chairmen. The local government areas are listed as follows: Ardo Kola, Bali, Donga, Gashaka, Gassol, Ibi, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Kurmi, Lau, Sardauna, Takum, Ussa, Wukari, Yorro, and Zing

Politics

The state government is led by a democratically elected governor and the state's House of Assembly. The capital city of the state is Jalingo.[13]

Electoral system

The governor of the state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive a plurality of votes and over 25% of votes in at least two-thirds of state and local government areas. If no candidate passes the threshold, a second round is held between the two candidates that received a plurality of votes in the most local government areas.[14]

Healthcare

Taraba State has several hospitals and health care centers, including:

  • Courage Hospital
  • Federal Medical Center (FMC)
  • Gateway Hospital
  • General Hospital, Bali
  • Sauki Hospital and Maternity
  • Totus Hospital and Maternity
  • Albert Healthcare Company
  • Federal University teaching Hospital wukari
  • Taraba Specialist Hospital[15]
  • Kwararafa Hospital and maternity
  • Federal Polytechnic Bali Medical Center
  • First Referral Hospital
  • Biyama Hospital

Languages

Languages of Taraba state, listed by LGA, include:[16]

LGALanguages
Ardo KolaFulfulde; Mumuye, Jibu (Jukun Kona), and Hausa
BaliFulfulde; Ichen Language Fam; Gbaya, Northwest; Jibu; Jukun Takum; Kam; Mumuye; Ndoola; Chamba Dakka; chamba leko; Tiv; Hausa.
DongaIchen Language, Ekpan, Chamba Leko, Tiv.
GashakaFulfulde, Jibu, Ndola, Chamba Daka; Yamba,Tiv and Hausa.
GassolFulfulde, Wapan, Tiv
IbiFulfulde Duguri; Dza, Tiv, Wanu
JalingoFulfulde; Mumuye; Jibu (Jukun Kona), and Hausa
Karim LamidoFulfulde; Dadiya; Dza; Jiba;Sho (bandawa); Jiru; kodei; Kulung; Kyak; Laka; Munga Lelau; Loo; Mághdì; Mak; Munga Doso; Mumuye; Nyam; Pangseng; Wurkun-Anphandi; Shoo-Minda-Nye; Yandang; Hõne; Kwa; Pero. Hausa, Bambuka, Jenjo, Karimjo, Gomu, Panya.
KurmiNdoro; Ichen language; Tigun language; Abon; Bitare; Tiv.
LauKunini; Fufulde; Dza; Loo; Yandang, Laka and Hausa.
SardaunaMambila; Kaka; Banso; Kambu; Fulfulde; Tiv.
TakumMashi; Bete; Ichen Language, Chamba Daka; Jukun Takum; Kapya; Kpan; Kpati; Kuteb; Lufu; Acha language Acha; Tiv; Yukuben
UssaKuteb
WukariWapan, Ichen Language; Ekpan; Kpati; Kulung; Tarok; Tiv;
YorroFulfulde; Mumuye, Hausa
ZingMumuye, Nyong; Rang; Yandang

Other languages spoken in Taraba State are Akum, Bukwen, Esimbi, Fali of Baissa, Jiba, Njerep, Tha, Yandang, Yotti, Ywom.[16]

Demographics

The state's primary ethnic groups are the Jukun, Jenjo, Fulani, Mumuye, Mambilla, Kuteb, Karimjo Wurkun, Tiv, Yandang, Ndola, Ichen, Tigon, and Jibu. The northern part of the state is mostly Fulani, Mumuye, and Sho. The southern part of the state is primarily Jukun, Wurkum, Tiv, Chamba, Kuteb, and Ichen. The central region is mainly occupied by the Fulani, Mambilla, Ndola, Tigon, Jibu, Wurbo, and Daka people.

Education

Further information: List of tertiary institutions in Taraba State

Taraba State has many schools and education centres. Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges include:

Transportation

Federal highways

Major roadways

  • The Bachumbi Rd, east from Plateau State at Zurak via Muri, Banyam and Bambuka to Adamawa State
  • The Wukari-Ampei Rd, north to Ibi on the Benue River
  • The Garin Kunini-Zing Rd, southeast from Dzhu'a-Khore via Pupule, to Adamawa State at Bisa as the Zaridi-Mayo Belwa Rd
  • The Wukari-Takum Rd, south from Jalingo via Sunkani, Garbe Shede, Bajabure, Pangri and Mai Fula to Dogari Tiv
  • The Katsina Ala-Takum road, west to Benue State at Dogon Gawa
  • The Garin Jatau Bali Rd, east from Takum across the River Donga at Manya and northeast to Mararaba
  • The Rafin Kada-Gembu Rd, southeast from Donga via Mararaba
  • The Mambila-Plateau Rd

Airports

Economy

Agriculture

The major occupation of the people of Taraba state is agriculture. Cash crops produced in the state include coffee, tea, groundnuts and cotton.[24] Crops such as maize, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, and yam are also produced in commercial quantity.[25] In addition, cattle, sheep and goats are reared in large numbers, especially on the Mambilla Plateau and along the Benue and Taraba valleys.[26] Similarly, the people of Taraba state undertake other livestock production, such as poultry production, rabbit breeding and pig farming in fairly large scale. In February 2024, the World Bank in Nigeria announced plans to empower 5,200 female livestock farmers in the state.[27] Communities living on the banks of the Benue River, Taraba River, and Donga River engage in fishing all year round. Other occupational activities such as pottery, cloth-weaving, dyeing, mat-making, carving, embroidery, and blacksmithing are carried out in various parts of the state.[28][29]

Natural resources

Taraba state has abundant natural resources for industrial and commercial use, including:[30]

Mineral raw materials

Agro-raw materials

Culture

The state government has made improvements to tourist attractions, such as the Mambilla Tourist Center, and Gumpti Park and game reserve in Gashaka. The Karimjo Abedahh festival and Nwunyu fishing festival in Ibi are usually held in April each year, with activities such as canoe racing, a swimming competition, and cultural dances. Other festivals are the Purma of the Chamba in Donga, Takum and Jibu culture dance in Bali, Tagba of Acha People in Takum, Kuchecheb of Kutebs in Takum and Ussa,[32] Kati and Bol of the Mambilla, and a host of others.

The State encompasses part of the Mambilla Region, which is the Bantu cradle, and area occupied for approximately five millennia to date.[33]

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "2006 PHC Priority Tables – NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION". population.gov.ng. Archived from the original on 16 October 2018. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
  2. ^ "Taraba State: Subdivision". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  3. ^ Okeowo, Gabriel (ed.) (2022-10-13). "State of States 2022 Edition". Budgit.org. BudgIT. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  4. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  5. ^ Falola, Toyin (24 June 2021). Understanding Modern Nigeria Ethnicity, Democracy, and Development. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108837972.
  6. ^ Agbu, Osita (2004). Ethnic Militias and the Threat to Democracy in Post-transition Nigeria. Nordiska Afrikainstitutet. ISBN 9789171065254.
  7. ^ Ngulube, Patrick (12 September 2016). Handbook of Research on Theoretical Perspectives on Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Developing Countries. IGI Global. ISBN 9781522508342.
  8. ^ Fay, Robert (2005-04-07), "Niger River", African American Studies Center, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.42716. ISBN 978-0-19-530173-1, retrieved 2024-07-11
  9. ^ "Worlddata"
  10. ^ "Taraba, NG Climate Zone, Monthly Weather Averages and Historical Data". weatherandclimate.com. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  11. ^ Mkom, John (2023-04-25). "Flood Submerges 300 Houses In Taraba". Leadership. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  12. ^ "Flood: Taraba Govt issues alert to 6 LGAs". The Guardian. 2023-08-21. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  13. ^ Oguntola, Tunde (2022-09-27). "2023: Next President, Govs Must Get Two-thirds Spread, Says INEC". Leadership. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  14. ^ Oguntola, Tunde (2022-09-27). "2023: Next President, Govs Must Get Two-thirds Spread, Says INEC". Leadership. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  15. ^ Mkom, John (2022-10-16). "Mosquitoes: Patients Berate Taraba Specialist Hospital Over Poor Environmental Sanitation". Leadership. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  16. ^ "Nigeria". Ethnologue. 22 ed. Retrieved 2020-01-10.
  17. ^ https://fedpobali.net/index.php
  18. ^ "Federal University Wukari Convocation: Buhari Tasks Graduates On Innovation – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". Independent. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  19. ^ Cyril (2022-12-18). "Military’s involvement in internal security operations saved country from disasters-Security expert". The Sun. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
  20. ^ Daniels, Ajiri (2022-07-31). "Taraba varsity to establish model ranch – VC". The Sun. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  21. ^ "Home". College of Education Zing. 2020-10-06. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  22. ^ "Taraba State College Of Health Technology, Takum". www.tarabaschttakum.edu.ng. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  23. ^ "Home". Taraba State Polytechnic, Suntai. 2023-11-11. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  24. ^ Edon, Aboki; Abubakar, Kara H.; Ashindo, Zubairu E. (2023-12-01). "Analysis of Financial Profitability of Tomato Growers in Taraba State, Nigeria". AKSU Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences. 7 (3): 25–36. doi:10.61090/aksuja.2023.015. ISSN 2651-5679
  25. ^ "About". TARABA STATE GOVERNMENT. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  26. ^ "Rotational grazing meets technology on Mambilla Plateau". Earth Journalism Network. 18 May 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  27. ^ Reporters, Our (2024-02-07). "FG, W'Bank empowers 5,000 Taraba, A'Ibom farmers". The Punch. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  28. ^ "Taraba – Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid landscapes (ACReSAL) project". 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  29. ^ "Jobs in Taraba State". Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  30. ^ "Natural Resources Natural Resources Available in Taraba State". TARABA STATE GOVERNMENT. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  31. ^ Hunkuyi, Magaji (2022-10-29). "How groundnut boosts economy of Taraba town". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  32. ^ "The Kuteb People - The Kuteb People". Archived from the original on 9 June 2013.
  33. ^ Zeitlyn, David & Connell, Bruce (2003-06-09). "ETHNOGENESIS AND FRACTAL HISTORY ON AN AFRICAN FRONTIER: MAMBILA–NJEREP–MANDULU". The Journal of African History. 44 (1): 117–138. doi:10.1017/S002185370200823X. ISSN 0021-8537
  34. ^ "Taraba governor's wife gets award for empowering youths | The Nation Newspaper". 2021-06-06. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
  35. ^ Online, Tribune (2022-11-25). "Appeal Court affirms Kefas as Taraba PDP governorship candidate". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 2022-12-25.