Nasarawa

Nasarawa was established on 1 October 1996 by the Abacha government, splitting it from the today neighboring Plateau State which previously had contained both their territories. Nasarawa State is located in the North Central region of Nigeria, bordered by Taraba and Plateau to the east, Kaduna to the north, Benue and Kogi to the south, and the Federal Capital Territory to the west. It was created on 1 October 1996 from the western part of Plateau State and is named after the historic Nasarawa Emirate. Nasarawa State is located in the North Central region of Nigeria, bordered by Taraba and Plateau to the east, Kaduna to the north, Benue and Kogi to the south, and the Federal Capital Territory to the west. The state has thirteen local government areas with Lafia as its capital in the eastern region. Karu Urban Area, situated along the western border with the Federal Capital Territory, serves as a significant economic center for the state. Nasarawa State is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, including the Koro, Yeskwa, Kofyar, Eggon, Gwandara, Mada, Buh, Ninzo, Nungu, Alago, Goemai, Megili, Eloyi (Ajiri/Afo), Tiv, Agatu, Gade, Gbagyi, Igbira, Kanuri(Beriberi), Bassa, Hausa, and Fulani. These groups are distributed across different regions of the state. Economically, Nasarawa State is largely based on agriculture, mainly sesame, soybeans, groundnut, millet, maize, rice and yam crops. The state also contains various minerals such as salt, baryte, and bauxite, which are mostly mined by artisanal miners. Other mineral resources found in Nasarawa State include oil, coal, dolomite/marble, sapphire, talc, quartz, tantalite, tourmaline, mica, chalcopyrite, clay, cassiterite, iron ore, columbite, galena, liteon, and feldspar. Economically, Nasarawa State is largely based on agriculture, mainly sesame, soybeans, groundnut, millet, maize, rice and yam crops. The state also contains various minerals such as salt, baryte, and bauxite, which are mostly mined by artisanal miners. Other mineral resources found in Nasarawa State include oil, coal, dolomite/marble, sapphire, talc, quartz, tantalite, tourmaline, mica, chalcopyrite, clay, cassiterite, iron ore, columbite, galena, liteon, and feldspar. Nasarawa State is home to the Farin Ruwa Falls in Wamba Local Government area of the state. Farin Ruwa falls is one of the highest falls in Africa. The Salt Village in the Keana Local Government Area of the State produces naturally iodized salt from the lake. Another tourist site in Nasarawa State is the Maloney Hill.