Taraba State was created on August 27th, 1991 when the Babangida Military Administration carved it out of the defunct Gongola State.

The State derives its name from one of the three major rivers and covers a land area of 59,400 square kilometres. At inception, the state comprised only ten Local Government Areas namely; Jalingo, Donga (created on 27th August 1991 Zing, Lau, Karim Lamido, Sardauna, Bali, Gashaka, Wukari and Takum.

The State currently has sixteen local government areas as a result of the creation of the following new LGAs; Ibi and Yorro in September 1991 and Ardo Kola, Kurmi, Ussa and Gassol in 1996.

There is also Yangtu, a Special Development area created by Danbaba administration in 2008 and NGADA Special Development Area which was created by Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku in September 2016.

The State derives its name from River Taraba and is made up of sixteen (16) Local Government Areas and two Special Development Areas. These areas constitute administrative units in three geopolitical zones with a total population of about four (4) million people.

Taraba State lies roughly between latitude 6030″ and 9036″ north and longitude 90 10″50″ east. It is bounded by Bauchi and Gombe and Adamawa States in the north-east, and by Plateau State in the north-central. The state is further bounded to the north central by both Nasarawa and Benue States, while it shares an international boundary with the Republic of Cameroun to the south and south-east.

CLIMATE

The dry and rainy season common to tropical regions are also the dominant climatic features. The rainy season starts in April and ends in October, while the dry season begins in November and terminates in March.

The dry Season reaches its peak in January and February when the dusty north-east trade winds blow across the state.

The climatic, soil and hydrology of the State provide a conducive atmosphere for the cultivation of most staple food crops, grazing land for animals and fresh water for fishing as well as forestry.

VEGETATION

The vegetation of Taraba State comprises three types of vegetational zones namely; the Guinea Savannah which is marked by mainly forest and tall grasses are found in the southern part of the State like Wukari, Ussa, Kurmi, Takum, and Donga.

The Sub-Sudan type characterized by short grasses is found in Jalingo, Lau, and Ardo kola, interspersed with short trees.

While the semi-temperate zone marked by luxuriant pasture and short trees is found on the Mambilla Plateau.

Total Area in Km Sq = 60291.82

According to the 2006 census figures released by the National Population Commission (NPC), Taraba State has population figures of Two Million, Three Hundred Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Six people (2,300,736).

Taraba State L.G.A Provisional Population Figures

LGA	POPULATION	MALES	FEMALE
Ardo-Kola	86,921	44,020	42,901
Bali	208,935	112,014	96,921
Donga	134,111	69,267	65,844
Gashaka	87,781	48,911	38,870
Gassol	244,749	125,293	119,456
Ibi	84,054	45,350	38,704
Jalingo	139,845	77,425	62,420
Karim-lamido	195,844	99,513	96,331
Kurmi	91,531	49,188	42,343
Lau	96,590
Sardauna	224,437	113,185	111,252
Takum	135,349	68,863	66,486
Ussa	93,017	50,700	41,995
Wukari	241,546
Yorro	89,410	45,548	43,862
Zing	127,363	64,602	62,761
Disputed Areas	20,253	10,386	9,867
Total	2,300,736	1,199,849	1,100,887

Since its return to democratic rule on May 29, 1999, Taraba State being a constituent part of Nigeria has continued to be governed by the three democratic arms of Government namely; the Executive, the Legislative and Judiciary.

This is a marked contrast to the Military dictatorship, where only the Executive and Judiciary existed.

The Judiciary is saddled with the task of the administration of justice. It is led by the Chief Judge, who is also the Chairman of the State Judicial Service Commission, a body entrusted with the duty of appointment, promotion and discipline of judicial officers. The Judiciary in the State dispenses justice through the High Courts, Sharia, Area and Customary Courts spread across the State.

There are four Judicial divisions in the State namely; Jalingo, Gembu, Wukari and Bali.

The State Customary Court of Appeal is headed by its President while the Sharia Court of Appeal is headed by the Grand Khadi.

Taraba State has enjoyed a quantum leap in the area of provision of health facilities in it’s seventeen (17) years of existence.

Most of the giant strides in the health sector has been recorded in the current democratic dispensation. The State currently boasts of an ultra modern and well equipped Specialist Hospital located in Jalingo the State Capital.

Three other Referral Hospitals are located in Mutum Biyu, Gassol LGA, Serti, Headquarters of Gashaka LGA and Pantisawa, Yorro LGA.

Similarly, the State has also well equipped General Hospitals located at Wukari, Gembu, Warwar, Bambur and Zing. Takum Hospital which was destroyed during the Takum communal crisis is being reconstructed.
All these hospitals were renovated and expanded to meet the ever growing needs of patients. Cottage hospitals and several Comprehensive Health Care Centres have also been established in various Local Government Areas to cater for the rural populace.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery, Jalingo and School of Health Technology, Takum have continued to provide the manpower training to the area of health in the State.

The State Government is also playing a vanguard role in rolling back Malaria and the HIV/AIDS scourge in the State through well planned and executed programmes.

The media tour of all States of the Federation in which Taraba State was adjudged one of the best States in Nigeria in terms of provision of health facilities, attests to the unwavering commitment of the State Government in providing health for all.

The State is politically divided into three zones namely the Northern, Central and Southern Zones.

The Northern zone comprises six Local Government Areas which Include Jalingo, Yorro, Ardo-Kola Others are Karim Lamido, Lau and Zing.

Gashaka, Sardauna, Bali, Kurmi, and Gassol Local Government Areas comprise the Central zone.

The Local Government Areas of Wukari, Takum, lbi, Donga and Ussa constitute the Southern Zone. .

ETHNIC GROUPS

There are over eighty (80) ethnic groups found in Taraba State each with its distinct historical and cultural heritage cohabiting peacefully with one another. Some of these tribes include Mumuye, Ichen, Wurkum, Mambilla, Kuteb, Chamba, Jukun, Yandang, Fulani, Jenjo, Kunini, Lo, Ndoro,Kambu, Kaka, Bandawa, Mung, Tiv, Zo, Bambuka, Jibu and Jole.

Hausa is commonly spoken by most indigenes of Taraba State irrespective of ethnic grouping. Other ethnic groups like Yoruba, Igbo are also found in Taraba State.

OCCUPATION

As a result of its agrarian nature, the predominant population of the State engages in farming as an occupation. The State also has a growing number of those who engage in white-collar jobs owing to the assumption of a cosmopolitan character by the State capital.

About three-quarters (i.e 75%) of the people are farmers while an estimated one-quarter (25%) are engaged in other economic activities.

The agrarian nature and rich alluvial tract of soil found in most parts of the State makes Taraba State conducive for growing various food and cash crops. Its agrarian economy can sustain the entire Nigeria nation.

The Taraba State Government fully conscious of the role industrialisation can play in the overall development of the State has spared no effort in aggressively developing its industrial base by the establishment of such industries as the Taraba Gas Company. The State Government also, in liaising with the Federal Government and foreign business is embarking on the construction of the multibillion-dollar Mambilla Plateau Hydro Electric Project which when completed will serve the energy needs of the country and even beyond.

The State Government also, in liaising with the Federal Government and foreign businesses are embarking on the construction of the multibillion-dollar Mambilla Plateau Hydro Electric Project which when completed will serve the energy needs of the country and even beyond.

In addition to breaking new industrial grounds, the State Government under a democratic dispensation is resolutely committed to reviving and consolidating ex-industries such as the Baissa Timber Development Company, the Taraba Tomato Industry in Lau and The Nigerian Beverages Production Company Tea Factory, Kakara in Sardauna LGA.

The State Government has taken the bold step of inviting foreign businesses into the state in order to invest in critical areas like solid mineral exploration and development.

Market Days of some Major Towns in Taraba State

S/N	LGA	TOWN	MARKET DAYS
1	Ardo Kola	Sunkani	Tuesday
		Iware	Tuesday
		Garin Mallum	Monday
		Mayo-Renewo	Saturday
		Kasuwan Lahadi	Sunday
		Kantiel	Monday & Friday
2	Bali	Bali	Friday
		Maihula	Saturday
		Garba-Chede	Thursday
		Pamanga	Sunday
		Dakka	Saturday
3	Donga	Donga	Friday
		Anannum	Saturday
		Suntai	Thursday
		Mararraba	Monday
		Fali	Friday
4	Gashaka	Serti	Friday
		Jamtari	Sunday
		Garbabi	Friday
5	Gassol	Mutum-biyu	Friday
		Tella	Sunday
		Kwararrafa	Saturday
		Sabon-gida	Monday
		Namnai	Wednesday
		Mararraba Gassol	Wednesday
		Tutare/Bembal	Saturday
6	Ibi	Ibi	Sunday
		Gindin Waya	Saturday
		Dampar	Friday
		Sarkin kudu	Tuesday
7	Jalingo	Jalingo	Friday
		Mile 6	Sunday
		Kona	Saturday
		Nukkai	Wednesday
8	Karim Lamido	Karim Lamido	Monday
		Bambur	Saturday
		Mutum Daya	Saturday
		Muri	Friday
		Gomu	Tuesday
		Didango	Tuesday
		Jen	Thursday
9	Kurmi	Baissa
		Abong	Monday
		Didan	Friday
		Ruwan Sanyi	Tuesday
		Mubi-Tosso	Sunday
		Ashuku	Friday
		Ndafor	Saturday
		Sabongida	Thursday
		Akwanwe	Tuesday
		Bissaula	Monday
10	Lau	Lau	Friday
		Kunini	Monday
		Sayonti	Sunday
		Abbare	Tuesday
		Garin-Dogo	Sunday
11	Sardauna	Gembu	10 Days
		Mayo-Ndaga	Friday
		Yelwa	Saturday
		Marwa	10 Days
		Kakara	10 Days
		Furmi	Sunday
		Zingo Ajiya	Thursday
		Nguroje	Friday
12	Takum	Takum	Thursday
		Chanchanji	Wednesday
		Kuffai Ahmadu	Friday
		Kashimbilla	Monday
		Tati	Thursday
13	Ussa	Lissam	Thursday
		Kpambo	Wednesday
		Fikyu	Monday
		Ruth	Tuesday
		Kwesati	Saturday
		Kpakya	Wednesday
		Manya	Monday
14	Wukari	Wukari	Friday
		Rafin Kada	Thursday
		Gindin-Doruwa	Wednesday
		Gidan Idi	Sunday
		Tsokundi	Thursday
		Bantaji	Tuesday
15	Yorro	Pantisawa	Sunday
		Pupule	Saturday
		Appawa	Thursday
		Nyaja	Monday
		Kassa	Friday
		Lankaviri	Monday
16	Zing	Zing	Wednesday
		Monkin	Saturday
		Lanrma	Friday
		Mika	Sunday
		Yakoko	Sunday