Adamawa State, Nigeria
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Adamawa state () is a
state State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * ''Our S ...
in the North-East geopolitical zone of
Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
, bordered by Borno to the northwest, Gombe to the west, and
Taraba Taraba can refer to: * Taraba State * Taraba River The Taraba River is a river in Taraba State, Nigeria, a tributary of the Benue River. It joins the Benue on a floodplain 10 km wide and 50 km across. The major towns along the River Ta ...
to the southwest, while its eastern border forms part of the national border with
Cameroon Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...
. 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 is one of the most heterogeneous in Nigeria. with over 100 indigenous ethnic groups, formed in 1991, when the former
Gongola state Gongola State is a former administrative division of Nigeria. It was created on 3 February 1976 from the Adamawa and Sardauna Provinces of North State, together with the Wukari Division of the then Benue-Plateau State; it existed until 27 Augus ...
was broken up into Adamawa and
Taraba Taraba can refer to: * Taraba State * Taraba River The Taraba River is a river in Taraba State, Nigeria, a tributary of the Benue River. It joins the Benue on a floodplain 10 km wide and 50 km across. The major towns along the River Ta ...
states. Since its was carved out of the old Gongola State in 1991 by the General Ibrahim Badamsi Babangida military regime, Adamawa State has had 10 men, both military and civilian, controlling the levers of power, who played crucial roles in transforming the state into what it is today. Of the 36 states in Nigeria, Adamawa state is the eighth largest in area, but the thirteenth least populous with an estimated popupation of about 4.25 million as of 2016. Geographically, the state is mainly composed of the highlands of mountains (the
Atlantika ''Atlantika'' is a Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Zoren Legaspi, it stars Dingdong Dantes. It premiered on October 2, 2006 on the network's Telebabad line up replacing ''Majika''. The series con ...
, Mandara, and the Shebshi ranges) and the
Adamawa Plateau The Adamawa Plateau (french: Massif de l'Adamaoua) is a plateau region in west-central Africa stretching from south-eastern Nigeria through north-central Cameroon ( Adamawa and North Provinces) to the Central African Republic. The part of the pl ...
, crossed by valleys and rivers, most notably the Benue and Gongola rivers. The lowlands of Adamawa are part of the
West Sudanian savanna The West Sudanian savanna is a tropical savanna ecoregion that extends across West Africa. Geography The ecoregion stretches east and west across West Africa, from the Atlantic coast of Senegal to the Mandara Mountains on Nigeria's eastern borde ...
in the north and the wetter
Guinean forest–savanna mosaic The Guinean forest-savanna mosaic is an ecoregion of West Africa, a band of interlaced forest, savanna, and grassland running east to west and dividing the tropical moist forests near the coast from the West Sudanian savanna of the interior. Set ...
in parts of the south, while elevated areas are parts of the
Mandara Plateau mosaic The Mandara Plateau mosaic, also known as the Mandara Plateau woodlands, is a tropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands ecoregion located in the Mandara Mountains of northern Nigeria and Cameroon. Geography This ecoregion covers the Mandara ...
and
Cameroonian Highlands forests The Cameroonian Highlands forests, also known as the Cameroon Highlands forests, are a montane tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion located on the range of mountains that runs inland from the Gulf of Guinea and forms the border between Camero ...
ecoregions An ecoregion (ecological region) or ecozone (ecological zone) is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than a bioregion, which in turn is smaller than a biogeographic realm. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of l ...
. In the extreme south of the state is part of the
Gashaka Gumti National Park Gashaka-Gumti National Park (GGNP) is a national park in Nigeria, It was gazetted from two game reserves in 1991 and is Nigeria’s largest national park. It is located in the eastern provinces of Taraba and Adamawa to the border with Cameroon. T ...
, a large wildlife park that contains large populations of
bushbuck The Cape bushbuck (''Tragelaphus sylvaticus'') is a common and a widespread species of antelope in sub-Saharan Africa.Wronski T, Moodley Y. (2009)Bushbuck, harnessed antelope or both? ''Gnusletter'', 28(1):18-19. Bushbuck are found in a wide ra ...
, African buffalo,
patas monkey The common patas monkey (''Erythrocebus patas''), also known as the wadi monkey or hussar monkey, is a ground-dwelling monkey distributed over semi-arid areas of West Africa, and into East Africa. Taxonomy There is some confusion surrounding ...
,
black-and-white colobus Black-and-white colobuses (or colobi) are Old World monkeys of the genus ''Colobus'', native to Africa. They are closely related to the red colobus monkeys of genus '' Piliocolobus''. There are five species of this monkey, and at least eight subs ...
,
giant pangolin The giant pangolin (''Smutsia gigantea'') is the largest species in the family of pangolins. Members of the species inhabit Africa with a range stretching along the equator from West Africa to Uganda. It subsists almost entirely on ants and t ...
, and
hippopotamus The hippopotamus ( ; : hippopotamuses or hippopotami; ''Hippopotamus amphibius''), also called the hippo, common hippopotamus, or river hippopotamus, is a large semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of only two extan ...
along with some of Nigeria's last remaining
Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (''Pan troglodytes ellioti'') is a subspecies of the common chimpanzee which inhabits the rainforest along the border of Nigeria and Cameroon. Male Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees can weigh up to 70 kilos with a bo ...
,
African leopard The African leopard (''Panthera pardus pardus'') is the nominate subspecies of the leopard, native to many countries in Africa. It is widely distributed in most of sub-Saharan Africa, but the historical range has been fragmented in the course ...
, and
African golden cat The African golden cat (''Caracal aurata'') is a wild cat endemic to the rainforests of West and Central Africa. It is threatened due to deforestation and bushmeat hunting and listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is a close relative o ...
populations. What is now Adamawa state has been inhabited for years by various ethnic groups, including the Bwatiye (Bachama),
Bali Bali () is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nu ...
, Bata (Gbwata),
Gudu Gudu is a Local Government Area in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Balle. With an area of 3,478 km and a population of 95,544 at the 2006 census, with an estimated population of 139,000 in 2019. Gudu shares a boun ...
, 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 The Kilba are an ethnic group in the Hong local government area of Adamawa State (formerly Gongola State) in Nigeria. History In the past, Höba lived in large clan-based mountain communities. These mountain communities were Pella, Gwaja, Hon ...
,
Marghi Margi, also known as Marghi and Marghi Central, is a Chadic language (a branch of Afroasiatic) spoken in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad. It is perhaps the best described of the Biu–Mandara branch of that family. Marghi South language and Putai ar ...
, Waga, and Wula in the north, and the
Mumuye The Mumuyes are a people of Nigeria. They speak the Mumuye language. They constitute the largest tribal group in Taraba State of Nigeria and form the predominant tribes found in Zing, Yorro, Jalingo, Ardo-Kola, Lau, Gassol, Bali and Gashaka, al ...
in the south, while the
Fulani The Fula, Fulani, or Fulɓe people ( ff, Fulɓe, ; french: Peul, links=no; ha, Fulani or Hilani; pt, Fula, links=no; wo, Pël; bm, Fulaw) are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Sahel and West Africa, widely dispersed across the region. ...
live throughout the state—often as nomadic herders. Adamawa state is also religiously diverse as about 55% of the population is
Sunni Sunni Islam () is the largest branch of Islam, followed by 85–90% of the world's Muslims. Its name comes from the word '' Sunnah'', referring to the tradition of Muhammad. The differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims arose from a disagr ...
Muslim and 30% is Christian (mainly
Lutheran Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Catholic Church launched th ...
, EYN, ECWA, and Pentecostal), while the remaining 15% are adherents of traditional ethnic religions. In the early 1800s, the
Fulani jihad The Fulani War of 1804–1808, also known as the Fulani Jihad or Jihad of Usman dan Fodio, was a military conflict in present-day Nigeria and Cameroon. The war began when Usman Dan Fodiyo, a prominent Islamic scholar and teacher, was exiled ...
captured some of modern-day Adamawa state and formed the
Adamawa Emirate The Adamawa Emirate (Fula: Lamorde Adamaawa 𞤤𞤢𞤥𞤮𞤪𞤣𞤫 𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤥𞤢𞥄𞤱𞤢; ar, إمارة أداماوة; german: Adamaua; french: Adamaoua) is a traditional state located in Fombina, an area which now roughly co ...
under the
Sokoto Caliphate The Sokoto Caliphate (), also known as the Fulani Empire or the Sultanate of Sokoto, was a Sunni Muslim caliphate in West Africa. It was founded by Usman dan Fodio in 1804 during the Fulani jihads after defeating the Hausa Kingdoms in the Ful ...
. About 90 years later, forces from
Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
and the
British Empire The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts esta ...
defeated the Emirate in the
Adamawa Wars The Adamawa Wars (1899-1907) were initially a series of military expeditions and border conflicts between the German Schutztruppe in Kamerun and the Fula Sunni Muslim states and tribes that were a part of the Sokoto Empire (a Caliphate formed durin ...
and split the area. The British-controlled area (much of the west of modern-day Adamawa) was incorporated into the
Northern Nigeria Protectorate Northern Nigeria (Hausa: ''Arewacin Najeriya'') was a British protectorate which lasted from 1900 until 1914 and covered the northern part of what is now Nigeria. The protectorate spanned and included the emirates of the Sokoto Caliphate an ...
, which later merged to constitute
British Nigeria Colonial Nigeria was ruled by the British Empire from the mid-nineteenth century until 1960 when Nigeria achieved independence. British influence in the region began with the prohibition of slave trade to British subjects in 1807. Britain a ...
, before becoming an independent state--
Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
, in 1960. The German-controlled area formed a part of
German Kamerun Kamerun was an African colony of the German Empire from 1884 to 1916 in the region of today's Republic of Cameroon. Kamerun also included northern parts of Gabon and the Congo with western parts of the Central African Republic, southwestern p ...
until allied forces invaded and occupied Kamerun during the Kamerun campaign of
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
. After the war, what is now eastern Adamawa state became most of the
Northern Cameroons British Cameroon or the British Cameroons was a British mandate territory in British West Africa, formed of the Northern Cameroons and Southern Cameroons. Today, the Northern Cameroons forms parts of the Borno, Adamawa and Taraba states of N ...
within the
British Cameroons British Cameroon or the British Cameroons was a British mandate territory in British West Africa, formed of the Northern Cameroons and Southern Cameroons. Today, the Northern Cameroons forms parts of the Borno, Adamawa and Taraba states of N ...
, until 1961, when a
referendum A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...
led to itsmerger with
Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
. Originally, modern-day Adamawa State was a part of the post-independence Northern Region until 1967 when the region was split and the area became part of the
North-Eastern State North-Eastern State is a former administrative division of Nigeria. It was created on 27 May 1967 from parts of the Northern Region. Its capital was the city of Maiduguri. The North-Eastern is also full of agriculture and food. On 3 February 19 ...
. After the North-Eastern state was split in 1976,
Gongola State Gongola State is a former administrative division of Nigeria. It was created on 3 February 1976 from the Adamawa and Sardauna Provinces of North State, together with the Wukari Division of the then Benue-Plateau State; it existed until 27 Augus ...
was formed on 3 February 1976 alongside ten other states. Fifteen years after statehood, Gongola was split with the state's south becoming
Taraba State ) , image_map = Nigeria - Taraba.svg , map_alt = , map_caption = Location of Taraba State in Nigeria , coordinates = , coor_pinpoint = , coordinates_footnotes = , ...
while its north became Adamawa State. As an agriculturally-based state, the Adamawa State economy mainly relies on livestock and crops, such as
cotton Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus ''Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor perce ...
, groundnuts,
millet Millets () are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Most species generally referred to as millets belong to the tribe Paniceae, but some millets al ...
,
cassava ''Manihot esculenta'', common name, commonly called cassava (), manioc, or yuca (among numerous regional names), is a woody shrub of the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, native to South America. Although a perennial plant, cassava is extensively ...
,
guinea corn ''Sorghum bicolor'', commonly called sorghum () and also known as great millet, broomcorn, guinea corn, durra, imphee, jowar, or milo, is a Poaceae, grass species cultivated for its grain, which is used for food for humans, animal feed, and ethan ...
, and yams. After years of the
Boko Haram insurgency The Boko Haram insurgency began in July 2009, when the militant Islamist and jihadist rebel group Boko Haram started an armed rebellion against the government of Nigeria. The conflict is taking place within the context of long-standing iss ...
affecting development in the state, Adamawa has the eleventh lowest
Human Development Index The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistic composite index of life expectancy, education (mean years of schooling completed and expected years of schooling upon entering the education system), and per capita income indicators, whi ...
in the country but as the insurgency has abated since 2016, development has renewed.


Geography

Adamawa is one of the largest states of Nigeria and occupies about 36,917 square kilometers. It is bordered by the states of Borno to the northwest, Gombe to the west and
Taraba Taraba can refer to: * Taraba State * Taraba River The Taraba River is a river in Taraba State, Nigeria, a tributary of the Benue River. It joins the Benue on a floodplain 10 km wide and 50 km across. The major towns along the River Ta ...
to the southwest. Its eastern border forms the national eastern border with
Cameroon Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...
. The Humidity and Temperature of Adamawa state, especially dry season, begins in November which is very hot, during hot period. The Harmattan period is experienced between December - February every year. Topographically, it is a mountainous land crossed by the large river valleys – Benue, Gongola and Yedsarem. The valleys of the
Mount Cameroon Mount Cameroon is an active volcano in the South West region of Cameroon next to the city of Buea near the Gulf of Guinea. Mount Cameroon is also known as Cameroon Mountain or Fako (the name of the higher of its two peaks) or by its indigenous n ...
,
Mandara Mountains The Mandara Mountains are a volcanic range extending about 190 km (about 120 mi) along the northern part of the Cameroon–Nigeria border, from the Benue River in the south () to the north-west of Maroua in the north (). The highest el ...
and
Adamawa Plateau The Adamawa Plateau (french: Massif de l'Adamaoua) is a plateau region in west-central Africa stretching from south-eastern Nigeria through north-central Cameroon ( Adamawa and North Provinces) to the Central African Republic. The part of the pl ...
form part of the landscape.


Climate Change

In recent years, climate change in Adamawa State has begun to be more evident. Tropical wet and dry weather prevails in Adamawa State. The wet season lasts from April to October, whereas the dry season lasts for at least five months (November to March) yearly. An upsurge in rainfall in September in recent years is usually accompanied by floods. According to Dr. Sulieman Muhammad, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, 25 people have died in the state (as of September 2022) due to floods brought on by both the discharge of water from the Lagdo Dam in
Cameroon Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...
and severe rainfall. In October 2022, another floods claimed 37 lives and submerged 89,000 thousand hectares of farmlands with 58 others sustaining various degrees of injuries.


Economy

The major occupation of the people is
farming Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to ...
, as reflected in their two notable vegetational zones, the Sub-Sudan and Northern Guinea Savannah zones. Their cash crops are
cotton Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus ''Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor perce ...
and groundnuts, while food crops includes;
maize Maize ( ; ''Zea mays'' subsp. ''mays'', from es, maíz after tnq, mahiz), also known as corn (North American and Australian English), is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. Th ...
, yam,
cassava ''Manihot esculenta'', common name, commonly called cassava (), manioc, or yuca (among numerous regional names), is a woody shrub of the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, native to South America. Although a perennial plant, cassava is extensively ...
,
guinea corn ''Sorghum bicolor'', commonly called sorghum () and also known as great millet, broomcorn, guinea corn, durra, imphee, jowar, or milo, is a Poaceae, grass species cultivated for its grain, which is used for food for humans, animal feed, and ethan ...
,
millet Millets () are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Most species generally referred to as millets belong to the tribe Paniceae, but some millets al ...
and
rice Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima ''Oryza glaberrima'', commonly known as African rice, is one of the two domesticated rice species. It was first domesticated and grown i ...
. The village communities living on the banks of the rivers, engage in
fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment, but may also be caught from stocked bodies of water such as ponds, canals, park wetlands and reservoirs. Fishing techniques inclu ...
, while the Fulanis are cattle rearers. The state has a network of roads linking all parts of the country. The development of many communities in the state can be traced to the colonial era when the Germans ruled a swath of territory known as the Northern and Southern
Kamerun Kamerun was an African colony of the German Empire from 1884 to 1916 in the region of today's Republic of Cameroon. Kamerun also included northern parts of Gabon and the Congo with western parts of the Central African Republic, southwestern p ...
s from
Dikwa Dikwa is a town located in Borno State, Nigeria. History of Dikwa Dikwa used to be part of the kingdom of Borno before being captured by Rabih in 1893. The latter had the place fortified and Dikwa became the capital of his kingdom from 1893 ...
in the North to Victoria ( Limbe) on the Atlantic coast in the 19th century. These were, however, handed over as
United Nations Trust Territories United Nations trust territories were the successors of the remaining League of Nations mandates and came into being when the League of Nations ceased to exist in 1946. All of the trust territories were administered through the United Natio ...
to the British at the end of the
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
with the signing of the
Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles (french: Traité de Versailles; german: Versailler Vertrag, ) was the most important of the peace treaties of World War I. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. It was signed on 28 June ...
. After a series of referendums, the Northern Kameruns joined Nigeria to form the then Sardauna Province, and the Southern Kameruns formed a Confederation with French speaking Cameroon.


Religion

Adamawa is an Islam majority state in Nigeria, with a substantial Christian population. Historically, Adamawa is home to the major happenings of the Islamic Jihad, led by the
Sokoto Sokoto is a major city located in extreme northwestern Nigeria, near the confluence of the Sokoto River and the Rima River. As of 2006 it has a population of over 427,760. Sokoto is the modern-day capital of Sokoto State and was previously the c ...
Caliphate in the early 1800s. Till today, the state of Adamawa is led traditionally by an Emir also known as Lamido, who is a descendant of the Islamic kings who conquered and ruled the area, prior to the amalgamation of Nigeria. Atiku Abubakar serves as the Waziri (Vizier) to the King of Adamawa. Adamawa is also home to the
headquarters Headquarters (commonly referred to as HQ) denotes the location where most, if not all, of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. In the United States, the corporate headquarters represents the entity at the center or the to ...
of two
indigenous Indigenous may refer to: *Indigenous peoples *Indigenous (ecology), presence in a region as the result of only natural processes, with no human intervention *Indigenous (band), an American blues-rock band *Indigenous (horse), a Hong Kong racehorse ...
churches, the
Church of the Brethren in Nigeria The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria ( ha, Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN), literally "Church of Children of the Same Mother of Nigeria") is an Anabaptist Christian denomination from Nigeria with close to 1,000,000 members. It has hundreds o ...
(EYN Church) with its headquarters in Mubi in the northern zone of the state, and the
Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) is a major Lutheranism, Lutheran Christian denomination, denomination in Nigeria, a member of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). It was established as an independent church in 1913 from the Suda ...
(LCCN Church) with headquarters in Numan in the southern zone of the state. The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN church) was founded in Garkida Gombi Local Government of the state in March 1923 by American missionaries. The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN Church) was founded in Numan by Dutch missionaries in 1913.


History

Before it became a state in Nigeria, Adamawa was a subordinate kingdom of the Sultanate of Sokoto, which also included much of northern Cameroon. The rulers bear the title of
emir Emir (; ar, أمير ' ), sometimes transliterated amir, amier, or ameer, is a word of Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person possessing actual or cerem ...
("" in the local language,
Fulfulde Fula ,Laurie Bauer, 2007, ''The Linguistics Student’s Handbook'', Edinburgh also known as Fulani or Fulah (, , ; Adlam: , , ), is a Senegambian language spoken by around 30 million people as a set of various dialects in a continuum that stre ...
). The name "Adamawa" came from the founder of the kingdom,
Modibo Adama Adama ɓii Ardo Hassana (1786 – 1847), more commonly known as Modibbo Adama, was a Fulani scholar and holy warrior, who hailed from the Ba'en clan of Fulbe. He led a jihad into the region of Fombina (in modern-day Cameroon and Nigeria), openin ...
, a regional leader of the
Fulani Jihad The Fulani War of 1804–1808, also known as the Fulani Jihad or Jihad of Usman dan Fodio, was a military conflict in present-day Nigeria and Cameroon. The war began when Usman Dan Fodiyo, a prominent Islamic scholar and teacher, was exiled ...
organized by
Usman dan Fodio Usman Ɗan Fodio ( ar, عثمان بن فودي, translit=ʿUthmān ibn Fodio; 15 December 1754 – 20 April 1817) was a Fulani scholar, Sunni Islamic religious teacher, revolutionary, and philosopher who founded the Sokoto Caliphate and ruled ...
of Sokoto in 1804. Modibo Adama came from the region of Gurin (now just a small village) and in 1806, received a green flag for leading the jihad in his native country. In the following years, Adama conquered many lands and tribes. In 1838, he moved his capital to Ribadu, and in 1839, to Joboliwo. In 1841, he founded Yola, where he died in 1848. After the
European colonization The historical phenomenon of colonization is one that stretches around the globe and across time. Ancient and medieval colonialism was practiced by the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Turks, and the Arabs. Colonialism in the modern sense began ...
(first by Germany and then by Britain), the rulers remained as emirs and the line of succession has continued to the present day. A
measles Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by measles virus. Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7–10 days. Initial symptoms typically include fever, often greater than , cough, ...
outbreak was reported in an
internally displaced person An internally displaced person (IDP) is someone who is forced to leave their home but who remains within their country's borders. They are often referred to as refugees, although they do not fall within the legal definitions of a refugee. A ...
s camp, in January 2015.


Emirs of Adamawa

Emirs of Adamawa have included: * Modibbo Adama ben Hassan, 1809–1848 * Lawalu ben Adama, 1848–1872 (son of the previous) * Sanda ben Adama, 1872–1890 (brother of the previous) * Zubayru ben Adama, 1890–1901 (brother of the previous) * Bobbo Ahmadu ben Adama, 1901–1909 (brother of the previous) * Iya Ben Sanda, 1909–1910 (son of Sanda ben Adama) * Muhammadu Abba, 1910–1924 (son of Bobbo Ahmadu ben Adama) * Muhammadu Bello ben Ahmadu ben Hamidu ben Adamu, 1924–1928 * Mustafa ben Muhammadu Abba, 1928–1946 (son of Muhammadu Abba) * Ahmadu ben Muhammadu Bello, 1946–1953 * Aliyu Mustafa, 1953–2010 *
Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha (born 13 February 1944) was turbaned on 18 March 2010 as the traditional ruler, title Lamido of Adamawa in Adamawa State Northeastern Nigeria. The ceremony followed by the approval of the state governor Murtala ...
, 2011–present


Boko Haram insurgency

Adamawa State has been badly impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency. In January 2012, Boko Haram attacked
Gombi Gombi is the Local Government Headquarter of Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. "The area has been attacked in the past by Boko Haram Boko Haram, officially known as ''Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād'' ( a ...
, Mubi and Yola. By 2014, the state became home to camps housing an estimated 35,000 internally displaced people, fleeing violence from Boko Haram in locations including Mubi,
Madagali Madagali or Madagli is a town and Local Government Area, local government area in Adamawa State, Nigeria, adjacent to the Cameroon–Nigeria border, border with Cameroon. History The LGA was created in 1991 when Taraba State was created out of ...
,
Askira Uba Askira/Uba is a Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Askira. It has an area of 2,362 km and a population of 138,091 at the 2006 census. The postal code of the area is 601. One of the village ...
,
Bama Bama or BAMA may refer to: Places * Bama, shortened form of Alabama, a state of the United States of America ** The University of Alabama, the public university serving the state, often known as simply ''Bama'' * Bama, one of the colloquial Burm ...
and
Gwoza Gwoza is a local government area of Borno State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Gwoza, a border town "about 135 kilometres South-East of Maiduguri." The postal code of the area is 610. The terrain is rocky and hilly. The Gwoza Hills ...
in the states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe. In 2014, an estimate placed the number of IDPs around Yola at 400,000. An attack occurred in Chakawa in 2014. A
suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and s ...
bombing A bomb is an explosive weapon that uses the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy. Detonations inflict damage principally through ground- and atmosphere-transmitted mechanica ...
in Yola in 2015 killed over 30 people. A double suicide bombing in
Madagali Madagali or Madagli is a town and Local Government Area, local government area in Adamawa State, Nigeria, adjacent to the Cameroon–Nigeria border, border with Cameroon. History The LGA was created in 1991 when Taraba State was created out of ...
in 2016 killed over 50 people. Mubi is the worst affected place in Adamawa State, suffering major attacks in 2012,
2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...
,
2017 File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...
and 2018. Organizations serving the community include the Adamawa Peace Initiative (API)- a group of business, religious, and community leaders - and the Adamawa Muslim Council. The
United States Agency for International Development The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance. With a budget of over $27 bi ...
has pledged to provide continuing humanitarian assistance. On 21–22 February 2020, Boko Haram
terrorist Terrorism, in its broadest sense, is the use of criminal violence to provoke a state of terror or fear, mostly with the intention to achieve political or religious aims. The term is used in this regard primarily to refer to intentional violen ...
s launched an attack on homes and churches in Garkida, killing three soldiers and wounding
civilian Civilians under international humanitarian law are "persons who are not members of the armed forces" and they are not "combatants if they carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war". It is slightly different from a non-combatant, b ...
s.


Education

Tertiary institutions in Adamawa state include: *
Adamawa State Polytechnic Adamawa State Polytechnic is a tertiary educational institution in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. It was established in 1991 through a merger of the College of Preliminary Studies Yola and the Staff Development Institute Numan. The new Polytechni ...
, Yola *
Adamawa State University Adamawa State University is located in Mubi, in the Northern Senatorial District of Adamawa State, Nigeria. It was established in 2002 by the Adamawa State University Law No. 10 of 2001. The title caption of the university is "Towards ensuring ra ...
*
American University of Nigeria American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...
, Yola * Federal College of Education, Yola *
Federal Polytechnic, Mubi Federal Polytechnic, Mubi is a polytechnic based in Mubi, Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria. The Federal Polytechnic, Mubi is one of the seven Federal Polytechnics established by Decree No. 33 of 1979. It opened in August of the same year as t ...
* Modibbo Adama University, Yola


Sites of interest

*
Mubi Mubi (; stylized as MUBI; The Auteurs before 2010) is a global curated film streaming platform, production company and film distributor. Mubi produces and theatrically distributes films by emerging and established filmmakers, which are exclusivel ...
* Nuhu Auwalu Wakili's Palace *
Sukur Sukur or Sukur Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on a hill above the village of Sukur in the Adamawa State of Nigeria. It is situated in the Mandara Mountains, close to the border with Cameroon. Its UNESCO inscription is ...
World Heritage Site * Lamido's Palace *
American University of Nigeria American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...
* Kamale Mountain Peak in
Michika Michika (Mwe-cika) is a town and Local Government Area in Adamawa State, Nigeria, it is the administrative headquarters of the local government. It is in Northern Adamawa State and located directly across the border from the famous tourist site ...
* Three Sisters Rock in Song * Kwandree Cold water spot at Michika * Homtel Derivative and Suites * The confluence of Rivers Benue and Gongola in Numan Uba under
Mubi Mubi (; stylized as MUBI; The Auteurs before 2010) is a global curated film streaming platform, production company and film distributor. Mubi produces and theatrically distributes films by emerging and established filmmakers, which are exclusivel ...
(Valanyi)


Local Government Areas

Adamawa State consists of twenty-one
Local Government Areas A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a state, province, division, or territory. The phrase i ...
(LGAs): *
Demsa Demsa is a Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria with headquarters located in Demsa. Demsa lies on the Benue River. History Demsa Local Government Area is one of the twenty one LGAs in Adamawa State and has the postal code of 642. T ...
*
Fufore Fufore is a town and Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Languages The languages spoken in Fufore LGA are, *Fulani * Gengle * Koma * Kugama *Kumba * Mboi *Mumuye * Verre * Bata Displaced people In 2014, people fleeing violence in G ...
*
Ganye Ganye is a town and Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Jada and Toungo Local Governments were carved out from Ganye local government area of Adamawa state Nigeria. Ganye is bordered by Jada Local Government Area to the North and East ...
*
Girei Girei is a town and local government area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. It lies on the Benue River. The dominant tribe in the area are the Fulɓe or Fulani; however, a substantial number of Bwatiye also dwell in villages such as Greng, Ntabo, and ...
*
Gombi Gombi is the Local Government Headquarter of Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. "The area has been attacked in the past by Boko Haram Boko Haram, officially known as ''Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād'' ( a ...
*
Guyuk Guyuk may refer to: *Guyuk, Nigeria, a town * Uğurtaş, a town in Turkey, formerly called Güyük *Güyük Khan Güyük (also Güyug;; ''c''. March 19, 1206 – April 20, 1248) was the third Khagan-Emperor of the Mongol Empire, the eldest son ...
*
Hong Hong may refer to: Places *Høng, a town in Denmark *Hong Kong, a city and a special administrative region in China *Hong, Nigeria *Hong River in China and Vietnam *Lake Hong in China Surnames *Hong (Chinese name) *Hong (Korean name) Organiz ...
* Jada *
Lamurde Lamurde is a town and Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria inhabited predominantly by the Bwatiye (Bachama) people. History The Lamurde Local Government was established on December 14, 1996, from the local government of Numan. Numero ...
*
Madagali Madagali or Madagli is a town and Local Government Area, local government area in Adamawa State, Nigeria, adjacent to the Cameroon–Nigeria border, border with Cameroon. History The LGA was created in 1991 when Taraba State was created out of ...
*
Maiha Maiha is a town and Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria, adjacent to the border with Cameroon Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a c ...
* Mayo-Belwa *
Michika Michika (Mwe-cika) is a town and Local Government Area in Adamawa State, Nigeria, it is the administrative headquarters of the local government. It is in Northern Adamawa State and located directly across the border from the famous tourist site ...
*
Mubi North Mubi North is a Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The town is the location of the Adamawa State University and the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi Federal Polytechnic, Mubi is a polytechnic based in Mubi, Adamawa State, northeastern N ...
*
Mubi South Mubi South is a Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria.it shares road boundary with mubi north.the major tribes in mubi south include, Gude,Njenyi, Fali, Fulani mubi south Has 101 polling units. See also * Mubi Mubi (; stylized as MU ...
* Numan *
Shelleng Shelleng is a Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State, North-east Nigeria. The LGA shares borders with Guyuk and Girei LGA and is made up of towns and villages such as Kiri, Bodwai, Gundo, Jumbul, Shelleng, Timbu, Ketembere, Dunge, Boburo, a ...
*
Song A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetitio ...
* Toungo *
Yola North Yola North is a Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. It includes Jimeta Jimeta is a town in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The town's population was 73,080 in 1991. The elevation of Jimeta is 135 m, and it lies along the Benue River ...
(State capital) *
Yola South Yola South is a Local Government Area of 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 ...


Languages

Languages of Adamawa State listed by LGA:


Government

The
Governor of Adamawa State This is a list of administrators and Governors of Adamawa State, Nigeria, which was formed on 1991-08-27 when Gongola State was divided into Adamawa and Taraba states. See also *Nigeria *States of Nigeria *List of state governors of Nigeria ...
is the Executive, the State Legislature,
Adamawa State House of Assembly The  Adamawa State House of Assembly is the legislative arm of the government  of Adamawa State of Nigeria. It is a Unicameralism, unicameral legislature with 25 members elected from the 21 local government areas (State Constituencies). Local ...
, is located in Yola, the states capital.


Notable people

*
Atiku Abubakar Atiku is a given name and surname. It may refer to: Given name *Atiku Abubakar (born 1946), Nigerian politician and businessman, Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 *Atikur Rahman Mallik, Bangladeshi film editor Middle name *Abubakar Atiku ...
*
Iya Abubakar Iya Abubakar (born 14 December, 1934) is a Nigerian politician and mathematician who held multiple cabinet level appointments (Minister of Defence and Minister of Internal Affairs) during the Nigerian Second Republic, and Senator for Adamawa No ...
*
Jibril Aminu Jibril Muhammad Aminu (born August, 1939) is a professor of cardiology. He was Nigerian Ambassador to the USA (1999–2003) and was elected Senator for Adamawa Central constituency of Adamawa State, Nigeria, taking office on 29 May 2003. He is a ...
*
Alex Badeh Alex Sabundu Badeh (7 November 1957 – 18 December 2018) was an officer of the Nigerian Air Force who served as the 18th Chief of Air Staff and the 15th Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria. He died from gunshot injuries sustained after his vehic ...
* Mohammed Bello *
Aisha Buhari Aisha Halilu Buhari (born 17 February 1971) is the First Lady of Nigeria and wife of the current President Muhammadu Buhari, who assumed office on 29 May 2015 after defeating the then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. Aisha Buhari is a co ...
* Done P. Dabale * Aisha Dahiru Binani *
Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (born October 27, 1967) is a Nigerian politician and the current Governor of Adamawa State. He was a member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly and was appointed the Speaker of the House. He became the acting Governor of A ...
*
Binta Masi Garba Binta Masi Garba (born 17 April 1967) is a Nigerian politician, businesswoman and administrator, serving as the Senator of Adamawa North Senatorial District of Adamawa State since 2015. She served as Chairperson, Adamawa State chapter of All ...
*
Boni Haruna Boni Haruna (born 12 June, 1957) is the former Nigerian Minister for Youth Development. He was governor of Adamawa State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He was a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). Background Boni ...
*
Bindo Jibrilla Mohammed Umaru Jibrilla (born 16 June 1963), also known as Bindow Jibrilla is a Nigerian businessman who became the candidate of the People's Democratic Party in the 9 April 2011 Senatorial election for the Adamawa North district, and went on t ...
*
Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta (15 April 1937 - 21 January 2021) was a former Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force. He was appointed in 1986 to succeed Etim Inyang and was succeeded by Aliyu Attah in 1990. He was later Coordinator of National ...
*
Aliyu Kama Aliyu Adu Umar Kama (born 15 June 1949) was the military governor of Plateau State, Nigeria from July 1988 to August 1990 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. Kama was born in Hong, Nigeria, Hong local government, Adamawa Sta ...
*
Babachir David Lawal Babachir David Lawal (born 2 October 1954) is a Nigerian politician who was Secretary to the Government of the Federation from 2015 to 2017. He was appointed on 27 August 2015, by President Muhammadu Buhari. Lawal was suspended as Secretary to Gov ...
*
Tahir Mamman Professor Tahir Mamman OON, SAN is a Senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Educational administrator and the Director-general of the Nigeria Law School from 2005 to 2013. He was the pioneer Head of Nigeria Law school Kano which is the First law sc ...
* Buba Marwa *
Abubakar Saleh Michika Abubakar Saleh Michika (1941 – 10 March 2018) was a Nigerian civilian governor of Adamawa State, Nigeria from 2 January 1992 to 17 November 1993. He was a member of the then ruling National Republican Convention (NRC). He worked with the Brit ...
*
Boss Mustapha Boss Gidahyelda Mustapha (born 1956) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) of Nigeria since 2017 and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. He was previously managing di ...
*
Murtala Nyako Murtala Hamman-Yero Nyako, GCON, CFR: rcds, D.Agric. (H.C.) (born 27 August 1942) was elected Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Nigeria, taking office in May 2007.SPPU Adamawa State Government, " ww.adamawastatesppu.org Prior to then he serve ...
*
Bamanga Tukur Bamanga Tukur ( CON) (born 15 September 1935) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who served as Minister for Industries in the administration of General Sani Abacha during the 1990s. He is one of the high-profile civil servants and militar ...
*
Mahmud Tukur Mahmud Tukur was a Nigerian politician and former minister for Commerce and Industry during the administration of General Buhari. He was the first Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano and also a former director of Cadbury Nigeria. Tukur's e ...
*
Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo (20 April 1959 – 5 July 2022) was a Nigerian politician. From 1 August 2016 until his death, he was the Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. He helped to create the OPEC+ alli ...
*
Nuhu Ribadu Mallam Nuhu Ribadu mni (born 21 November, 1960) is a former Nigerian police officer and politician who was the Chairman of the Petroleum Revenue Task Force and a former Nigerian government anti-corruption official. He was the pioneer Executive ...
* Dr Bala Takaya *
Ibrahim Lamorde Ibrahim Lamorde (born 20 December 1962) is a Nigerian police officer who was appointed Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 23 November 2011 after chairman Farida Waziri had been dismissed by President Goodluc ...
*
Ahmed Joda Ahmed Joda OFR, CON, CFR (13 February 1930 – 13 August 2021) was a Nigerian administrator who rose through the administrative cadre of the Northern regional government and then the federal civil service to retire as Permanent Secretary, Mini ...

Abubakar Isa (Buba Shafani)


References


External links


Adamawa.com
- Articles, photographs, and art from Adamawa State {{Coord, 9, 20, N, 12, 30, E, region:NG_type:adm1st_source:GNS-enwiki, display=title 1991 establishments in Nigeria States and territories established in 1991 States of Nigeria French-speaking countries and territories