This article will provide information on the list of the 17 local government areas in Palteau state and their towns in Nigeria and also provide answers to frequently asked questions as regards Plateau State, Nigeria.
Plateau State is celebrated as "The Home of Peace and Tourism". With natural formations of rocks, hills and waterfalls, it derives its name from the Jos Plateau and has a population of around 3.5 million people. The British began to exert colonial control of Nigeria in the early 20th century. At that time, much of Plateau State was part of Bauchi Province. In 1926, Plateau Province, made up of Jos and Pankshin Divisions, was carved out of Bauchi. The border changed several times in subsequent years as the government sought not to split ethnic groups. In May 1967, Benue and Plateau Provinces were merged to form the large Benue-Plateau State. At this time Nigeria had twelve states. Following the civil war, Benue-Plateau State was one of several large states which were further split up following pressure on the Federal Government. Under the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon, the country was further divided into nineteen states in 1976 and Plateau State was created from Benue-Plateau covering the area of the original Plateau Province. In 1996, Plateau State was further subdivided to create Nasarawa State which was carved out of the western half of Plateau State by Sani Abacha's military regime. People from other parts of country have come to settle in Plateau State; these include the Hausa, Tiv, Idoma, Igbo, Yoruba, Ibibio, Annang, Efik, Ijaw, and Bini. Each ethnic group has its own distinct language, but as with the rest of the country, English is the official language in Plateau State; Hausa is also a common medium of communication and commerce as is the case in most parts of the North and Middle Belt of Nigeria.
It is consists of about 12 districts and communities which include:
- Barkin Ladi
- Gashishi
- Tafan
- Zabot
- Gassa and Sho
- Gindi Akwati
- Helpane
- Kapwis
- Lobiving
- Marit
- Mazat
- Kura falls,/li>
It is located in Bassa town with about 11 other towns and districts which include:
- Buhit
- Buji
- Kadamo
- Jere
- Kakkek
- Kishika
- Kwall
- Mafara
- Miango
- Amo
- Gurum
It has its administrative headquarters in Bokkos town with about 9 other towns which include:
- Bokkos
- Richa
- Daffo
- Manguna
- Mushere West
- Mushere Central
- Toff
- Sha
- Kamwai
It is located in Angware town with 5 major districts which include:
- Federe
- Forbur
- Fursur
- Shere
- Maigemu
It is located in the city center of Jos as the headquarters location with 1 major district which is Gwong and about 10 villages which include:
- Rigiza
- Rusau
- Tudu-Wada
- Targwon
- Zakaliyo
- Zangam
- Zangan
- Babale
- Dong
- Fudawa
It is located in Buruku town with about 4 major districts and 4 villages which include:
- Du
- Gyel
- Kuru
- Vwang
- Bakuanvwei
- Rankyeng
- Ranta
- Rasot
It is located in Dengi town with about 14 other towns and districts which include:
- Dengi
- Garga
- Kanam
- Kantana
- Bagyar
- Bandiri
- Bankilong
- Basson
- Bwalangyip
- Dangi Town
- Gar-Duam
- Gumshir
- Guzuk
- Gwomgwom
It is located in Kwal town with 12 districts and villages which include:
- Amper
- Ampang East
- Garram
- Kabwir
- Pai
- Tal
- Lepgel
- Leptar
- Lepter Gugur
- Nefur Mep
- Neran
- Pibwir
It is located in Mabudi town with about 9 other towns and villages which include:
- Dadin Kowa
- Fajul
- Gamakai
- Lashel
- Resettlemen Area
- Sabon Gida
- Timbol
- Turaki
- Dorawa
It is located in the commercial town of Langtang with 4 major districts and about 7 other towns which include:
- Langtang ( Rural)
- Pil
- Bwarat
- Gazum
- Bali
- Bankun
- Bapkwai
- Batkilang
- Danga
- Danglong
- Dingjor
It comprises of about 8 major districts and 5 villages which include:
- Gindiri
- Vodni
- Panyam
- Mangu
- Langai
- Kumbul
- Kerang
- Jipal
- Dari
- Chanso
- Cinbun
- Bwai
It is located in Tunkus town with about 15 other towns and villages which include:
- Garkawa
- Koeneom
- Montol
- Gingim
- Paipung
- Jimakwi
- Killa
- Kongnati
- Lahil
- Longgkrom
- Poensong
- Rotha
- Swoshal
- Tundun Wada
- Yakoep
It is located in Pankshin town with 12 other towns and districts which include:
- Chip
- Fier
- Kadung
- Lankan
- Pankshin Rural
- Wokkos
- Akong
- Asa
- Dyis/Abwor
- Jak
- Jing
- Kap
It is located in Baap town with about 12 other towns and villages which include:
- Bwall
- Doemak
- Dokan
- Kasuwa
- Kwal (Koffar)
- Kwalla
- Kwande
- Kwang
- Namu
- Chim
- Goebaan
- Goepin
It comprises of about 16 districts and towns which include:
- Jal
- Riyom
- Gol
- Jol
- Kwi
- Ra-Hoss
- Rim
- Ta-Hoss
- Danwal
- Fangroi
- Gura
- Koroda
- Kwakhw
- Bum
- Danto
- Dantse
It comprises of about 15 districts and communities which include:
- Dakan
- Tofa
- Derpeng
- Dorok
- Shendam
- Bunoegwang
- Dualak
- Duankwan
- Dung-Goeshing
- Gaklang
- Hambiaka
- Jayu
- Kendeng
- Lurka
- Nyak
It comprises of about 14 districts and towns which include:
- Bashar
- Kadarko
- Lamba
- Wase Town
- Gaji Bashar
- Gingir
- Gudu
- Kanpani
- Madaci
- Nyalun
- Sabon-Layi
- Safiyo
- Yuli
- Zurak
Plateau State was formed on the 3rd of February, 1976.
Plateau State lies near the heart of Nigeria's “Middle Belt,” an ethnically diverse region that sprawls across much of central Nigeria. At independence, most of the Middle Belt was contained within Nigeria's Hausa-dominated and predominantly Muslim Northern Region.
Known for its heterogeneity, the state has about 40 ethnic groups, including the Vergam, Ankwei, Angas, Jawara (Jarauci), Birom, Mango, Fulani, Hausa, and Eggen.
Jos South Local Government Area is the biggest in Plateau state with an area of 510 km² and a population of 306,716 as at 2006 census.