Taraba State

Lore & Background

Taraba state was formed from an amalgamation of three former divisions: Wukari, Mambilla, and Muri. It is bordered by Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa states, as well as the Northwest Region of Cameroon. The main rivers are the Benue, Donga, and Taraba, which begin in the Cameroonian mountains and drain almost the entire state before linking with the Niger River. The state's primary ethnic groups include the Jukun, Jenjo, Fulani, Mumuye, Mambilla, Kuteb, Karimjo Wurkun, Tiv, Yandang, Ndola, Ichen, Tigon, and Jibu. The northern part is mostly Fulani, Mumuye, and Sho; the southern part is primarily Jukun, Wurkum, Tiv, Chamba, Kuteb, and Ichen; the central region is mainly occupied by the Fulani, Mambilla, Ndola, Tigon, Jibu, Wurbo, and Daka people. Agriculture is the major occupation, with cash crops including coffee, tea, groundnuts, and cotton, and livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats reared in large numbers.

Reader's Guide

Taraba State holds significance as a culturally and ethnically diverse region in north-eastern Nigeria, created in 1991 to reflect the distinct identities of its three former divisions. Its nickname 'Nature's Gift to the Nation' underscores its natural resources, including minerals like barytes, bauxite, limestone, and uranium, as well as agro-raw materials such as maize, rice, and timber. The state's economy is heavily agricultural, with farming, livestock rearing, and fishing along its major rivers forming the backbone of livelihoods. The Mambilla Plateau, part of the Bantu cradle, adds historical depth, while festivals like the Nwunyu fishing festival and Karimjo Abedahh festival highlight cultural traditions. The state's political structure includes a democratically elected governor and a House of Assembly, with a modified two-round electoral system. Notable figures from Taraba include former ministers, senators, and a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, reflecting its role in national governance. The state also hosts several higher education institutions, including Taraba State University and Federal University, Wukari.

Did You Know?

• Taraba state was created on 27 August 1991 by the military government of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
• The state is named after the Taraba River, which traverses its southern part.
• Taraba is home to about 80 distinct ethnicities and their languages.
• The state's annual average temperature is 33°C, with the hottest months being March and April at an average high of 40.44°C.
• The Mambilla Plateau, part of the state, is described as the Bantu cradle, occupied for approximately five millennia.