Adamawa State Overview

Adamawa State was created in 1991 August 27th during the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida, following the division of the former Gongola State into Adamawa and Taraba. The state capital is Yola, where the governor oversees state affairs.

Origin of the Name Adamawa

The name Adamawa originates from Modibo Adama, the son of Ardo Hassan. Modibo Adama was a Fulani leader who led a jihad in the Upper Benue region in the 19th century.

Location

Adamawa is located in northeastern Nigeria and shares borders with:

  • Northwest: Borno State
  • West: Gombe State
  • Southwest: Taraba State
  • East: Cameroon (international border)

Its geographical coordinates are approximately Latitude 9.3265° N and Longitude 12.3984° E.

Land Area & Population

Adamawa covers a land area of 36,917 km², making it the eighth-largest state in Nigeria by size. According to the 2006 census, the population was 3,178,950. By 2022, the estimated population had risen to 4,902,100.

Adamawa State
Capital: Yola
Adamawa state_Nigeria map Nickname: Land of Beauty
Date of Creation:27 August 1991
LocationNorth East
Executive Governor:Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri
Deputy Governor:Kaletapwa Farauta
Population:3.1 million as at 2006 Census
Language:Fulfulde, Hausa and Others
LGA:21
Postal Code640001

Topography

Adamawa State is characterized by highlands, rivers, and valleys. Major rivers include the Benue and Gongola rivers. The state also features notable mountain ranges such as the Mandara, Atlantika, and Shebshi mountains, and the Adamawa Plateau. These highlands shape the state’s landscape, which also borders the Mandara Mountains to the east, along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

Vegetation

Due to the climate in the region, the state features diverse vegetation, including savanna flora characterized by grasses with scattered trees. Particularly, the southern parts are dominated by denser tree growth. In river areas and wetlands, you will find lush vegetation, including trees and grasses that can withstand wetter conditions. The agricultural land in the southern and central parts is also an important vegetative zone, receiving ample rainfall that helps boost crop yields.

Climate

Adamawa has a tropical climate divided into dry and rainy seasons. The wet period starts towards the end of April and extends through October, with October being the month with the heaviest rainfall, averaging 1,200 to 1,500 mm. Notably, August and September are the wettest months in the state. The dry season lasts from November to April of the following year and is marked by lower temperatures and harmattan dust carried by winds from the Sahara Desert. During this period, temperatures typically exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, while the wet season brings cooler temperatures. The state’s temperature varies from place to place and supports agricultural activities.

Languages

Adamawa State is home to a diverse population where up to 58 languages are spoken. The most commonly spoken languages are Fulfulde, Hausa, and English, which are used for communication across the state.

How many local government areas?

Adamawa State currently has 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Below is a list of these LGAs along with the primary dialects spoken in each:

LGALanguages
DemsaBata, Bali, Bille, Wakka, Mbula-Bwazza
FuforeFulfulde, Bata
GanyeFulfulde, Peere, Chamba Daka
GireiFulfulde, Bata, Tambo
GombiBura-Pabir, Ga’anda, Hwana, Lala-Roba, Ngwaba
GuyukLonguda
HongKilba, Marghi
JadaFulfulde, Chamba, Koma
LamurdeKwa, Bacama
MadagaliMarghi, Mafa, Sukur
MaihaNzanyi
Mayo-BelwaFulfulde, Yangdang, Wakka
MichikaKamwe
Mubi NorthFali
Mubi SouthGude, Mafa
NumanBachama, Waaja, Kaan
ShellengKanakuru
SongMboi, Yungur
ToungoChamba
Yola NorthLakka
Yola SouthFulfulde, Vere

Occupation and Economy

Adamawa is blessed with mineral resources such as limestone, kaolin, and tantalite, although these resources remain largely untapped. The state’s economy is primarily reliant on agriculture and livestock farming. Farmers in Adamawa cultivate crops like cassava, yams, millet, groundnuts, guinea corn, and cotton. The Fulani people are known for nomadic livestock farming (herding cattle and other livestock).

Adamawa’s GDP is estimated at 2.66 trillion naira, making it the eighth largest economy among Nigeria’s 36 states. However, it is the least developed economy in the northeast region. The state’s economic growth depends on agricultural activities and federal allocations.

Religion

The people of Adamawa State practice diverse religions. Statistics show that approximately 50% of the population are Sunni Muslims, 40% are Christians, and 10% practice traditional religions. People are free to worship according to their beliefs.

A List of All Adamawa Governors & Deputy (1992 – Present)

GovernorYear in OfficeParty
Abubakar Saleh Michika2 Jan. 1992 – 17 Nov. 1993
Gregory Agboneni9 Dec. 1993 – 14 Sept. 1994Military Regime
Yohanna Madaki14 Sept. 1994 – 22 Aug. 1996Military Regime
Joe Kalu-Igboama22 Aug. 1996 – Aug. 1998Military Regime
Ahmadu HussainiAug. 1998 – 29 May 1999Military Regime
Boni Haruna29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007PDP
Murtala Nyako29 May 2007 – 26 Feb. 2008PDP
James Shaibu Barka (Acting)26 Feb. 2008 – 29 April 2008PDP
Murtala Nyako29 April 2008 – 29 Jan. 2012PDP
Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Acting)29 Jan. 2012 – March 2012PDP
Murtala NyakoMarch 2012 – 15 July 2014 PDP
Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Acting)15 July 2014 – 8 Oct. 2014PDP
Bala James Ngilari8 Oct. 2014 – 29 May 2015PDP
Bindo Jibrilla29 May 2015 – 29 May 2019APC
Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri29 May 2019 – IncumbentPDP

Adamawa State Election Results (2019 – Present)

In 2019, the candidate of the PDP, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, won with a vote of 376,663 against the closest rival, Bindo Jibrilla (APC), who got 336,386.

In 2023, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri under the same party was re-elected with 430,861 votes, defeating the APC opponent, Aisha Binani, who secured a total of 398,788 votes.

Higher Institutions In Adamawa State  

The state has universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Some of the institutions are established by the federal and state governments, while others are privately owned. Below is a list of tertiary education institutions in the state:

  • Adamawa State Polytechnic (ASP), Yola
  • Adamawa State University (ASU)
  • American University of Nigeria, (AUN) Yola
  • Federal College of Education, (FCE) Yola
  • Federal Polytechnic, Mubi
  • Modibbo Adama University, Yola

Notable People From Adamawa State

The first democratic Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, is a renowned politician and businessman who hails from the state.

Additionally, Aisha Buhari, the First Lady of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, is another prominent figure from the area. Aisha was born on February 17, 1971, and is the wife of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Another notable individual is the late Alex Badeh, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff from January 21, 2014, to July 21, 2015. He also held the position of Chief of the Air Staff from 2012 to 2014.

Muhammadu Ribadu is another distinguished son of Adamawa. He was a political figure and the first person to serve as Minister of Defense in Nigeria after the country gained independence, holding office from 1960 to 1965. He was born in 1906 and died on May 1, 1965.

The list of notable individuals is extensive; Adamawa has produced political leaders who have held significant governmental positions in the affairs of the federation..

Take Home

Adamawa State is home to over one hundred ethnic groups, making it one of the most ethnically diverse states in Nigeria. The northeastern state is characterized by highlands, valleys, and rivers. Notable geographical features include the Atlantika and Mandara Mountains, while the Gongola River is the most prominent river in the state.

An interesting place to visit in Adamawa is the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, where you can observe a variety of wildlife such as the African buffalo, bushbuck, hippopotamus, patas monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, and giant pangolin. The park is also home to species like the African golden cat, African leopard, and chimpanzee. Visiting Adamawa to explore these natural attractions would make for an exciting experience.

Before the creation of Adamawa State, various ethnic groups had long settled in the area. These include the Bwataye, Gbwata, Bali, Mbula-Bwazza, and Gudu people, who lived in the central region. The Kamwe groups inhabited the north and central regions, while the Mumuye lived in the south. The Jibu ethnic group settled in the extreme southern areas, and the Mafa, Kilba, Waga, and Marghi groups lived in the north. The Fulani people, known for their nomadic herding, are spread throughout the state.

Most notably, during the Adamawa wars, the Adamawa Caliphate, established by the Fulani Jihad in the 1800s, ceased to exist after being divided between the British and German empires. The areas controlled by the British became part of the Northern Nigerian Protectorate and were later incorporated into British Nigeria. In 1991, Adamawa became an independent state

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