This guide comprehensively lists all the local government areas in Nasarawa state and their elected chairman. Nasarawa is located in the North Central region of Nigeria and it borders Taraba and Plateau to the east, Kaduna to the north, Benue and Kogi to the south, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the west.
The state was created on 1 October 1996 from the western part of Plateau State. Its capital city is Lafia, situated in the east, and the Karu Urban Area is an important economic center close to Abuja.
Nasarawa is the 15th largest state in Nigeria by area but has a relatively small population of around 3.1 million people as of 2025 population projection.
The state is mostly made up of forests and savannas, and it is home to many ethnic groups, including the Koro, Yeskwa, Eggon, Gwandara, Mada, and many others. Agriculture is a major part of Nasarawa’s economy, with crops like sesame, maize, and yam being grown.
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List Of Nasarawa State Local Government Areas And Their Chairmen
Nasarawa State is divided into thirteen Local Government Areas (LGAs), each governed by an elected chairman.
- Awe – Umar Tanko Dan’AKano
- Doma – Jonathan Addra Okuba
- Karu – Abubakar Aliyu Madaki
- Keana – Adamu Aboki Usman
- Keffi – Idris Ahmed Danmagani
- Kokona – Agbawu Mek Agbawu
- Lafia – Mohammed Arabo Haliru
- Nasarawa – Mohammed Hassan Ahmed
- Nasarawa – Egon-Iliya Ibn Aliyu
- Obi – Mohammed Isa KK
- Toto – Ahmed Baba Yahaya
- Wamba – Ezekiel Musa Jagga
- Akwanga – Safiyanu Isah Andaha
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Which Tribe Is Majority In Nasarawa State?
The Eggon people are the majority ethnic group in Nasarawa State, which is located in North Central Nigeria. This group is also known by other names such as Egon, Ero, or Mo Egon.
The name “Eggon” comes from the hill where the group initially lived before moving to the lower plains. The word “Eggon” roughly means “a good sense of hearing or perception ability.”
The Eggon people speak their native language, the Eggon Language, which is still widely spoken today. In addition to their native tongue, many Eggon people also speak Hausa, the regional language of Northern and North-Central Nigeria.
English is commonly spoken as well, due to Nigeria’s colonial past. The Eggon are also one of the largest ethnic groups in Nasarawa, with an estimated population of around 200,000 or more as of 2016.
However, the Eggon people have a diverse society, with different clans and houses that make up the larger group. The Eggon people traditionally lived in a decentralized society, with no central authority controlling them.
This independence is a core part of their history, as they were used to living as separate clans and communities, with their different customs and ways of life. The Eggon people were once referred to by the Hausa as “Madan Dutse,” which means “Hill Mada.”
However, they should not be confused with the Mada people of central Nigeria, even though both groups share similarities in language and culture.
The Eggon live primarily in the southwestern part of the Jos Plateau, and they share borders with other ethnic groups such as the Mada and the Rindre.
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Which Local Government In Nasarawa State Has The Highest Population?
Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, is the largest city in the state. According to the 2025 population projection, Lafia has a population of about 550,000 people.
It is located in the North Central region of Nigeria and serves as both an administrative and educational center. The city’s population makes it the most populous area in Nasarawa State.
However, the city is made up of different neighborhoods such as Shabu, Kwandare, Akurba, Mararraba Lafia, Asakio, Agyaragu, and Tofa/Tasha.
These areas, together with the urban center, make up the Lafia metropolis, with an estimated total population of over 1.5 million people.
Lafia was founded in the late 17th century by Muhammadu Dunama and has grown to become a major city in Nasarawa State.
People from various ethnic groups live in Lafia, such as the Kanuri, Fulani, Gwandara, Alago, and Migilli (Koro). Due to this diverse population, Lafia is often referred to as a “miniature Nigeria.”
The Fulani herdsmen, in particular, contribute to the city’s economy through livestock farming, while agriculture, especially the cultivation of sesame seeds, soybeans, and cotton, also plays a key role.
Apart from being an administrative capital, Lafia is home to important institutions such as the Federal University of Lafia and the Nasarawa State University Faculty of Agriculture Lafia Campus.
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The Largest Local Government In Nasarawa State By Land Mass
The largest local government area in Nasarawa State by land mass is Nasarawa Local Government Area (LGA). It covers a total area of 5,704 square kilometers, making it the biggest in terms of size in the state.
The local government area is home to a population of about 310,000 people, according to the 2025 population projection.
Also, the town of Nasarawa, which serves as the headquarters of the LGA, is located at 8°32’N latitude and 7°42’E longitude.
Despite its vast land area, the town has a relatively small population of around 30,949 people, based on 2016 statistics.
Nasawara is well known for its agricultural and mining activities. The area’s economy is largely driven by the tin and columbite mining industry.
Also, the region has a thriving agricultural sector, where farmers grow various crops such as melon, yams, sorghum, millet, soybeans, shea nuts, and cotton. These crops are important for both local consumption and trade.
The town of Nasarawa serves as a market center for these agricultural products, and it is an essential hub for people in the surrounding areas.
In terms of education, Nasarawa town is home to several great institutions. One of the most notable is the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa.
The town also has many secondary schools, including the Nasarawa Community Secondary School and the Government College.
