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Zamfara State is a state in Nigeria. It is in the north-west of the country, and its capital is Gusau. Until 1996 the area was part of Sokoto State.

The state was the first in Nigeria to introduce the Sharia law.

A short travel article about visiting Gusau.

An unofficial website dating from 2002 states:

The area today called Zamfara State was one of the old Hausa City-States like Kano, Katsina, Gobir, Kabi and Zazzau. It extends up to the bend of River Rima to the North West and River Ka in the South West. Zamfara Kingdom came into being in the 11th century and flourished up to 16th century as a City-State. Its capitals have shifted with the fortunes of the kingdom from place to place like Dutsi and Birnin Zamfara. In the first half of the 18th century, its then capital Birnin Zamfara, was destroyed by the Gobir Kingdom and a new capital was established in Anka by the second half of the 19th century. Zamfara has many centres of commerce and scholarship that attracted many scholars like the ‘Yandoto city. It became part of the Sakkwato Caliphate after the 1804 Jihad by Usman Danfodiyo. In fact, Usman Danfodiyo settled in Sabon Gari where Sarkin Zamfara Abarshi had already established a garrison headquarters during the early days of his Jihad as a base from where fought Gobir and Kabi.

Zamfara is peopled by Hausa and Fulani peoples. Major groups of people include the Zamfarawa mainly peopling Anka, Gummi, Bukkuyum and Talata Mafara Local Governments areas. Gobirawa peopled Shinkafi Local Government. Gobirawa actually migrated from the Gobir Kingdom. Burmawa are found in Bakura and Fulani peopled Bungudu, Maradun, Gusau and are scattered all over the State. In Tsafe, Bungudu and Maru Local Governments are mainly Katsinawa, Garewawa and Hadejawa. While Alibawa peopled Kaura Namoda and Zurmi.

At the wake of British Colonialism, the emerging town of Gusau became an important commercial and administrative centre with road and rail networks passing through it. With the creation of States during the Gowon Adminstration, Zamfara Kindgom became part of the then North West State and latter Sokoto State.

The Climate is warm tropical with temperature rising up to 38oC between March to May. Rainy season starts in late May to September while the cold season known as Harmattan lasts from December to February. Agriculture is the most important occupation of the people of the State hence its slogan farming is our pride.

Although the people of Zamfara have over the years struggled to have autonomy, it was not until 1996 that the then Military Administration of the Late General Sani Abacha created Zamfara State out of Sokoto State. With an area of 38,418 Square kilometres, It is bordered in the North by Niger republic, to the South by Kaduna State. In the east it is bordered by Katsina State and to the West by Sokoto and Niger States. It has a population of 2,069,373 according to the 1991 census and constitutes of fourteen local government areas.

Islam is the major religion and main languages spoken are Hausa, Fulfulde, English and Arabic. The State capital is an important commercial centre with a heterogeneous population of people from all over Nigeria. As in all major towns in Nigeria, all the major towns in Zamfara State have a large population of other peoples from different parts of Nigeria. With the re-introduction of the Shari’a legal system in the State in 1999, the crime rates have reduced drastically and it is one of the most peaceful States in Nigeria.

Ethnic composition: Mostly Hausa and Fulani; others include the Igbo, Yoruba, Kanuri, Nupe, and Tiv.

Languages: Main languages are Hausa, Fulfulde and Arabic. English is the official language.

Religion: Islam is the principal religion.

Population: 2.069 Million (1991 Census).