Taraba State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria; its capital is Jalingo. It was created on 27 August 1991 from Gongola State. It is grouped in the North East geopolitical zone.
Taraba State was created on 27 August 1991, when Gongola State was divided into Adamawa and Taraba states. It takes its name from the Taraba River, which crosses the southern part of the state. Its capital is Jalingo, and it is grouped in the North East geopolitical zone. Its nickname is "Nature's Gift to the Nation".
Wikipedia says the state was created by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida. It adds that the new state brought together three former divisions: Wukari, Mambilla and Muri.
Taraba borders Nasarawa and Benue states to the west and Plateau State to the north-west. Bauchi and Gombe states lie to the north and Adamawa State to the north-east. To the east and south it shares a long international boundary with Cameroon. It has sixteen local government areas: Ardo Kola, Bali, Donga, Gashaka, Gassol, Ibi, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Kurmi, Lau, Sardauna, Takum, Ussa, Wukari, Yorro and Zing.
The state government calls Taraba one of Nigeria's most diverse states. Wikipedia counts about 80 ethnic groups. It names among the main ones the Jukun, Mumuye, Mambilla, Kuteb, Chamba, Fulani, Tiv, Ichen, Wurkum and Jibu. It places the Jukun, Tiv, Chamba, Kuteb and Ichen mainly in the south, and the Fulani and Mumuye in the north.
Farming is the main occupation. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and Wikipedia both name maize, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, yams and groundnuts as major crops. Cotton is also grown. The state government highlights livestock production as well. Wikipedia notes that cattle, sheep and goats are raised in large numbers, especially on the Mambilla Plateau and in the Benue and Taraba valleys. Riverside communities fish all year round.
The 2006 census counted 2,294,800 people, according to National Population Commission figures reproduced by City Population. Other published figures are listed below with their sources. Nigerian census results are disputed.
The Benue, Donga and Taraba are the state's main rivers. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and Wikipedia, which share wording here, describe rivers rising in the Cameroonian mountains and draining through the state towards the Niger. The land is mostly undulating, with mountains along the Cameroon border.
In the south-east, the Mambilla Plateau is known for its highlands, cool climate and rolling grasslands. The state government counts it among Taraba's main attractions, together with its national parks, rivers and waterfalls. The area is given as 56,282 square kilometres by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and 59,180 square kilometres by Statoids. Both figures are recorded below, and neither is chosen.
- 27 August 1991 — Taraba State was created from Gongola State
Tiv · Etulo · Jukun
Tiv · Etulo
Benue State · Nasarawa State · Plateau State · Bauchi State · Gombe State · Adamawa State
Each figure is shown with its year and source. Where sources differ, all figures are listed.
| Measure | Figure | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,609,800 | 2022 | Taraba (State, Nigeria) – Population Statistics |
| Population | 2,294,800 | 2006 | Taraba (State, Nigeria) – Population Statistics |
| Population | 2,300,736 | 2006 | States of Nigeria |
| Population | 1,512,163 | 1991 | Taraba (State, Nigeria) – Population Statistics |
| Population | 3,249,970 | — | Taraba State |
| Area km² | 56,282 | — | Taraba State |
| Area km² | 59,180 | — | States of Nigeria |
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 — Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 · link
- States of Nigeria — Gwillim Law, Statoids · link
- Taraba State — Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) · link
- States of Nigeria — Wikipedia · link
- Country Guidance: Nigeria — General remarks — European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), February 2019 · link
- Taraba State — Wikipedia · link
- Taraba State Government Official Website — Taraba State Government · link
- Taraba (State, Nigeria) – Population Statistics — Thomas Brinkhoff, City Population · link
Last updated 24 September 2026. Spotted an error or have a source to add? Tell us.