Taraba State
Taraba is a state in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone.
- Capital
- Jalingo
- Population
- 3.8M
- Total area
- 59,665 km²
- LGAs
- 16
- House Reps (total)
- 6
- IGR (2024)
- ₦17.5B
- Capital
- Jalingo
- Population
- 3.8M
- 2023 estimate
- Land area
- 59,665 km²
- LGAs
- 16
- Senate seats
- 3
- IGR (2024)
- ₦17.5B
- internally generated revenue
Sub-national administrative units
Local government areas (16)
16 constitutional tier-3 units
Geopolitical synthesis
Taraba in the federation
Taraba is a state in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone.
Bordering territories & maritime boundaries
- Land bordersAdamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Nassarawa, Plateau
- International borderRepublic of Benin
Quick facts
- Date created
- 1991
- Known as
- Nature's Gift to the Nation
- Population
- ~3,800,000
- Climate classification
- Tropical Wet & Dry / Savanna
- LGAs
- 16
- Distance to Abuja
- 399 km
Languages, stories and places to explore
Languages spoken
Major cities
Jalingo · Wukari · Bali
What to explore · learn
Taraba's nickname reflects its varied highland-to-lowland geography, including Chappal Waddi, Nigeria's highest peak.
Chappal Waddi, within Gashaka-Gumti National Park, rises to roughly 2,419 metres, making it Nigeria's tallest mountain.
Held at Nwonyo Lake north of Ibi, the festival is among Nigeria's oldest fishing festivals. It was revived in 2024 after a break of about 14 years.
annualIbiThe Aku Uka heads the Wukari Federation, successor to the Kwararafa state of the Jukun.
WukariMumuye figurative wood carvings are prized in African art collections.
Yorro
Cultural groups & homelands
Jukun (Wukari Federation)
3 LGAsJukun communities of southern Taraba State under the Aku Uka of Wukari, successors of the Kwararafa confederacy.
Kuteb and Ichen (Takum)
2 LGAsKuteb, Ichen and related communities of Takum and Ussa in south-eastern Taraba State.
Mumuye
2 LGAsMumuye communities of central Taraba State, renowned for their figurative wood sculpture.
Mambilla
1 LGAMambilla Plateau communities of Taraba State along the Cameroon border.
Major celebrations
- annualIbi
Cultural institutions
The Aku Uka heads the Wukari Federation, successor to the Kwararafa state of the Jukun.
Wukari
Metro areas
Jalingo Metropolis
Taraba State's capital, created when Taraba was carved from Gongola State in 1991, at the meeting point of Fulani, Mumuye, Jukun and Hausa communities.