Zamfara State

Dr. Dauda Lawal has served as Governor of Zamfara State since 2023, elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His administration runs a 'Six-Point Rescue Agenda' focused on security, agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social empowerment, backed by an ₦861 billion 2026 budget.

Zamfara State was created on 1 October 1996 from Sokoto State under the military regime of General Sani Abacha. The Zamfara Kingdom traces back to the 11th century, one of the historic Hausa city-states. The state gained particular national attention in 2000 when then-Governor Ahmad Sani Yerima made it the first Nigerian state to adopt Sharia law in full. Its official 2006 census population was 3,278,873; the governor cited a 2026 population estimate of around 5.3 million.

Home to sites of historical and religious significance tied to the old Zamfara Kingdom.

• Jata ancient settlement

Agriculture-driven economy, with roughly 82% of the population depending on farming; the state government is moving its informal solid minerals mining sector toward formal regulation.

Millet · Sorghum · Rice · Groundnut

Priority sectors include mechanized agriculture, agro-processing, and solid minerals, backed by partnerships with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MoFI) and the African Development Bank. A new Zamfara Institute of Information Technology (ZIIT) opened in 2026 to train residents in cybersecurity, AI, and data science.

Agriculture & agro-processing · Solid minerals · Technology & skills training

Zamfara Institute of Information Technology (ZIIT)