North West · Capital: Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State
Governor: Nasir Idris
Population
3,256,541
Land area
36,985 km²
Created
August 27, 1991
Governance
Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris (Kauran Gwandu) is the 9th Governor of Kebbi State, in office since 29 May 2023. A former national president of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), his administration runs an economic blueprint nicknamed 'Kauranomics,' focused on social inclusion, agricultural advancement, and fiscal responsibility.
History
Kebbi State, nicknamed the 'Land of Equity,' was created on 27 August 1991 from the former Sokoto State. The area became part of the Songhai Empire in the 15th century and later resisted the Fulani jihad before largely converting to Islam through peaceful means later in the 19th century. Its official 2006 census population was 3,256,541.
Natural Resources
Kaolin, gypsum and marble
Industrial minerals found across the state alongside salt and glassware-grade deposits.
Gold
Artisanal gold mining formalized under the federal PAGMI initiative, with Kebbi among the pioneer states.
Tourism
Best known internationally for the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, one of Nigeria's most famous cultural events.
- Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival
- Kanta Museum, Argungu
- Hubbare (tomb of Sheikh Abdullahi Dan Fodio), Gwandu
- Girmache Shrine, Zuru
Agriculture
One of Nigeria's leading rice-producing states, home to the WACOT rice farm and the CBN Anchor Borrowers rice and wheat program, alongside millet, groundnuts, onions, and cotton.
Rice · Millet · Wheat · Guinea corn · Onion · Groundnut · Cotton
Investment
A pioneer state in the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI), formalizing artisanal gold mining. The 2026 budget of ₦642.9 billion allocates 75% to capital expenditure.
Agriculture & agro-processing · Solid minerals · Fishing · Livestock
Infrastructure
Education
Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi