North West
Zamfara State
Capital: Gusau · Created 1996 · ≈5.4 million · Area 39,762 km²
Population
≈5.4 million
Size
39,762 km²
Capital
Gusau
Year created
1996
Geopolitical zone
North West
Languages
Hausa · Fulfulde · English
Ethnic groups
- Hausa-Fulani (majority)
Natural resources
- Gold (largest reserves in Nigeria)
- Kaolin
- Salt
- Iron ore
- Copper
Signature foods
- Tuwo shinkafa
- Kilishi
- Fura da nono
- Masa
- Miyan kuka
Notable people
- Ahmed Sani Yerima (former governor — first Sharia state)
- Aliyu Shinkafi (former governor)
- Bello Matawalle (former governor)
- Dauda Lawal (governor)
Culture, values & festivals
- First Nigerian state to adopt Sharia (1999)
- Emirate of Anka, Bakura, Gusau, Bukkuyum
- Fulani pastoral traditions
Top places to visit in Zamfara
- 1
Kwatarkwashi Rock
Granite outcrop with panoramic views.
- 2
Gusau Dam
Reservoir with fishing and picnic sites.
- 3
Anka Gold Mines
Historic and current gold-mining area — visits require guides.
About the North West
Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa. Hausa-Fulani heartland; Africa's largest inland cities.