Fula: Lesdi Gommbe 𞤤𞤫𞤴𞤣𞤠𞤺𞤮𞤥𞥆𞤦𞤫
Tangale: Kwambe
Gombe State is located in northeastern Nigeria. It borders:
- North & Northeast: Borno & Yobe States (via Gongola River and Lake Dadin Kowa)
- South: Taraba State
- Southeast: Adamawa State
- West: Bauchi State
Formed on October 1, 1996, from part of Bauchi State, Gombe is the state capital. It is the 22nd largest by area and 32nd most populous in Nigeria (est. 3.25 million as of 2016).
Slogan: "Jewel in the Savannah"
Geography & Environment
- Located in the West Sudanian savanna ecoregion.
- Major features: Gongola River, Lake Dadin Kowa, Muri Mountains.
- Wildlife: Carpet viper, Puff adder, Egyptian cobra, hippopotamus, Senegal parrot, grey-headed kingfisher.
Ethnic Composition
- Fulani: Mainly in the North and Central
- Tangale: Dominant in South and Central
- Other groups: Cham, Dadiya, Jara, Kamo, Pero, Tera, Lunguda, Waja
Religion
- Muslims: 55–60%
- Christians: 40–45%
Christian Institutions
- Anglican Diocese of Gombe (est. 1999)
- Bishop: Cletus Tambari (2020)
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Bauchi (1996)
- 92,620 followers, 28 parishes
- Bishop: Hilary Nanman Dachelem (as of 2017)
History
- Pre-1800s: Area split between various local kingdoms
- Early 1800s: Fulani Jihad formed Gombe Emirate under Sokoto Caliphate
- Tangale established southern Maidom (linked to ElKanemi migration)
- 1910s: British occupation under Northern Nigeria Protectorate
- 1967: Became part of North-Eastern State
- 1976: Included in Bauchi State
- 1996: Became a standalone Gombe State
Economy
Key Industries:
- Agriculture: sorghum, maize, groundnuts, millet, beans, rice, tomatoes
- Herding: camels, cattle, goats, sheep
- Services & Small Industries: furniture, block production, tomato processing
Natural Resources:
- Gypsum
- Limestone
- Uranium
- Petroleum (recently discovered)
Notable Recognition:
- Ranked among Nigeria’s friendliest states for business in World Bank’s "Ease of Doing Business" (2021 & 2023)
Climate
- Seasons: Dry (Nov–Mar), Rainy (Apr–Oct)
- Rainfall: ~850 mm annually
Temperature Summary:
Hot Season: Feb 17 – Apr 26
- Avg High: 97–100 °F
- Hottest Month: April
Cool Season: Jul 6 – Oct 9
- Avg High: < 86 °F
- Coldest Month: December
Afforestation & Environmental Concerns
- Tree Planting Program: 4 million trees over 4 years (1.3 million planted so far)
- Flood Control Measures: Activated by Governor Inuwa Yahaya
- Erosion: Bogo neighborhood severely affected (200+ homes destroyed)
- Air Pollution: Generally acceptable, minor risk to sensitive individuals
Overview
- Area: 20,265 km²
- Population: ~2.36 million (2006 est.)
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Total: 11 LGAs
- Fulani LGAs: Dukku, Funakaye, Nafada, Akko, Gombe
- Tangale LGAs: Billiri, Kaltungo, Shomgom, Akko, Kwami
Other ethnicities include: Hausa, Tula, Lunguda, Dadiya, Waja, Filiya, Awak, Tera, Bolewa, Kanuri
Government & Politics
- Governor: Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya
- State Assembly: 24 members
- Federal Representation: 3 Senators, 6 Reps
- LGAs: 11
- Emirates/Chiefdoms: 14
Electoral System:
- Modified two-round system: 25% of votes in at least 2/3 of LGAs needed to win in the first round
Languages (by LGA)
(Detailed mapping not included)
Past Governors & Rulers
- Gombe Emirate has had multiple rulers including Buba Yero and Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar
Key Government Agencies
Gombe State Water Board
- Provides water for domestic, commercial, and industrial use
- Overseen by a Board with part-time appointees
Gombe Geographic Information System (GOGIS)
- Manages land acquisition, ownership, and valuation records
Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSPUDA)
- Issues building approvals and enforces planning laws
Education
Secondary Schools:
- JIBWIS Islamic Science & Secondary School
- Pen Resource Academy
- Government Science Secondary School
- Matrix International Academy
Universities:
- Gombe State University
- Federal University, Kashere
- North-Eastern University
Colleges:
- Federal College of Education (Tech), Gombe
- Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa
- College of Health Sciences & Technology, Kaltungo
- Gombe State College of Nursing & Midwifery
Health Facilities
- Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe
- Specialist Hospital, Gombe
- Federal Medical Center, Kumo
- Zainab Bulkacuwa Women & Children Hospital, Gombe
Transportation
Highways:
- A338: North to Yobe State (via Ashaka, Bajago)
- A345: From Bauchi via Gombe to Adamawa (via Kumo, Kalmai, Kaltungo)
Major Roads:
- Gombe-Wuyo-Biu Road (to Borno State)
- Gombe to Dukku (80 km)
Railway:
- Eastern Line (1067 mm Cape gauge) to Bauchi & Borno
- Gombe Line (into downtown)
Airport:
- Gombe Lawanti International Airport
Sports Teams
- Gombe United F.C.
- Doma United F.C. (Savannah Tigers)
Notable People from Gombe State
- Amina J. Mohammed – UN Deputy Secretary
- Isa Ali Pantami – Former Minister of Communications
- Mohammed Danjuma Goje – Senator, Ex-Governor
- Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa – Former President, Court of Appeal
- Samkon Gado – NFL player, doctor
- Helon Habila – Novelist
- Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar – 11th Emir of Gombe
- Aliyu Usman El-Nafaty – Vice Chancellor, GSU
- Momee Gombe – Actress
- Saidu Ahmed Alkali – Minister of Transportation (2023–)
(...and many others)
Media Stations
- Progress Radio and TV (97.3 MHz)
- Amana Radio FM (98.1 MHz)
- GMC Radio & TV (91.9 MHz)
- Vision Radio FM (92.7 MHz)
- Radio Nigeria Jewel FM (103.5 MHz)
See Also
- Religion in Gombe State
References
- Daily Trust - Clerics Decry High Hajj Fares(https://dailytrust.com/clerics-decry-high-hajj-fares/)
- Daily Trust - JIBWIS College Matriculates 189 Students(https://dailytrust.com/jibwis-college-of-education-matriculates-189-students-in-gombe/)