Kebbi State (Hausa: Jihar Kebbi; Fulfulde: Leydi Kebbi 𞤤𞤫𞤴𞤣𞤠𞤳𞤫𞤦𞥆ðž¤) is a state in northwestern Nigeria. It is bordered to the east and north by Sokoto and Zamfara, to the south by Niger State, and to the west by Benin Republic and Niger.
The state is named after its capital and largest city, Birnin Kebbi, and was created on 27 August 1991 from a portion of Sokoto State.
Among Nigeria’s 36 states, Kebbi ranks 10th in area and 17th in population, with ~6 million residents (2023 est.).
Geographically, Kebbi lies in the West Sudanian Savanna ecoregion, traversed by the Sokoto River, which flows into the River Niger, and is home to:
- Hippopotamus
- West African manatee
- Transient African bush elephants
- Various fish species, celebrated during the Argungu Fishing Festival
Ethnically, Kebbi hosts Fulani, Hausa, and Zarma as the dominant groups, along with Achipa, Dendi, Dukawa, Kambari, Kamuku, Lela, Puku, and Shanga along the western and southern borders.
Religiously, ~84% are Muslims, while the remainder practice Christianity or traditional religions (Bori).
History
- Pre-colonial period: Kebbi was part of the Kebbi Kingdom, a Hausa Banza Bakwai state.
- 19th century: Fulani jihadists attempted to incorporate parts of Kebbi into the Gwandu Emirate under the Sokoto Caliphate.
- Colonial period: The British absorbed the territory into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate, later merging into British Nigeria.
- Post-independence:
- 1967 – Became part of North-Western State
- 1976 – Became part of Sokoto State
- 1991 – Kebbi State was officially created
History of Zuru
Zuru Emirate in southern Kebbi consists of five chiefdoms: Dabai, Danko, Fakai, Sakaba, and Wasagu.
The population is multi-ethnic, with Achifawa, Kambari, Dukkawa, Fakkawa, Dankawa, Worawa, Katsinawa, and Lelna (Dakarkari) communities.
Historically:
- Katsinawa migrated from Katsina in the 16th century.
- Zuru evolved as a refuge of upheavals during Kanta’s breakaway from Songhai and Nupe-Kororofa control.
Geography
- Total LGAs: 21
- Land area: ~36,000 km²
- Major rivers: Niger, Sokoto, Rima
- Topography:
- Southern Kebbi: Rocky, Niger River valley
- Northern Kebbi: Sandy, traversed by Rima River
- Occupations: Agriculture, fishing, and animal rearing
- Settlements: 3,000+ including 1,036 hard-to-reach villages
Climate
- Rainy season: Mid-May to mid-September
- Dry season: ~7 months
- Annual rainfall: 787–1122 mm
- Temperature: 18–40 °C (65–104 °F)
- Cloudiest: March–November (~68%)
- Windiest: November–July
- Humidity: High April–November
Demographics
- Major ethnic groups: Hausa, Fulani, Zarma
- Minor ethnic groups: Lelna (Dakarkari), Bussawa, Dukawa, Kambari, Gungawa, Kamuku
- Religion: Predominantly Islam with Christian minorities
Languages
- Dominant: Hausa
- Others: Fulfulde, Ut-Hun, Sorko
Government
- Governed by an elected Governor and State House of Assembly
- Current governor: Nasir Idris
Economy and Agriculture
- Key sectors: Agriculture, fishing, livestock, cross-border trade
- Major crops: Sorghum, millet, rice, onions, groundnuts
- Livestock: Camels, cattle, goats, sheep
- Rice Hub: 70,000+ farmers under Anchor Borrowers Program
- Industrial efforts: Bilateral trade with Benin Republic under Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (ex-governor)
Tertiary Institutions
- Federal University, Birnin Kebbi
- Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru
- Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero
- Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi
- Kebbi State Polytechnic, Dakin Gari
- Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu
- Colleges of Nursing, Health Sciences, and Basic Studies
Transportation
Highways
- A1 Highway: From Niger State → Yelwa → Koko → Sokoto
- Bin Yauri–Rijau Road: Links to Niger State
- Zuru-Mahuta & Rijau-Zuru Roads: Connect to Niger & Zamfara
Airports
- Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi
- Tuga Airstrip, Bagudo
Natural Resources
- Gold
- Clay
- Quartz
- Magnesite
- Manganese
- Iron
- Copper
- Aluminium
Major Incidents
- Kebbi boat disaster: 26 May 2021
- Bandit attacks:
- 2021 Kebbi massacre (3 June)
- Kebbi kidnapping (24 June 2021)
- Dankade massacre (Jan 2022)
- 2022 Kebbi massacres (8 March)
See Also
- Kebbi Emirate
- Argungu Fishing Festival
References
- Blench, Roger. Kebbi State: Cultural Briefing (2020)
- Harris, P. G. Sokoto Provincial Gazetteer (1938)
- Hogben & Kirk-Greene. The Emirates of Northern Nigeria (1966)
- Lange, Dierk. An Assyrian Successor State in West Africa (2009)
External Links
- KebbiState.com(http://www.kebbistate.com)
- Uhola Festival (Archived)(https://web.archive.org/web/20220221000000*/UholaFestival)