Introduction
Capital city of Nasarawa State, Nigeria
For the town in Mali, see Lafia, Mali.
LGA and city in Nasarawa State, NigeriaLafia
LafiyanLGA and cityNickname: Lafia Garin MadidiLafiaCoordinates: 8°29′30″N 8°31′0″E / 8.49167°N 8.51667°E / 8.49167; 8.51667Country NigeriaStateNasarawa StateGovernment • EmirHon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I JSC Rtd. • LGA ChairmanAlh. Muhammad Halliru araboArea • Total2,827 km2 (1,092 sq mi)Population (2022 est) • Total509,300 • Density180.2/km2 (466.6/sq mi)Time zoneUTC1 (WAT)ClimateAw
LafiaListenⓘ is a city in Nigeria's North Central region. It is the capital and largest city of Nasarawa State, with a population of 509,300 inhabitants as of the 2021 census. It is the headquarters of the Lafia Emirate Council.
History
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Lafia Emir's Palace
Lafia, also known as Lafian bare-bari, is the capital city of Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria. Founded by Muhammadu Dunama in late 18th century on the site south of Shabu village. The town now has its 17th Emir in the person of Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I JSC rtd. Lafia became the capital of a prominent local chiefdom in the late 19th century. During the rule of Mohamman Agwai (1881–1903), the Lafia market became one of the most important in the Benue Valley, and a trade route was opened to Loko (56 mi [90 km] southwest), a Benue River port. In 1903, the British, who controlled Northern Nigeria recognized Chief Musa as Lafia's first emir. The emirate formed the major part of the Lafia Division of Benue province. In 1967, the town became part of Benue-Plateau state, and in 1976, it was allocated to Plateau state.
The original inhabitants of Lafia are mainly by the Kanuri, Fulani Gwandara, Alago, Migilli (Koro). It also has large populations of Hausa. This is due to the hospitable nature of the indigenes and has made the city a miniature Nigeria.
Modern Lafia aside from being an administrative and educational centre, it is also a collecting point for sesame seeds, soybeans, and is a trading centre for yams, sorghum, millet, and cotton. Besides farming, cotton weaving and dyeing are traditionally important activities of the town's inhabitants. Livestock farming is also a prominent activity especially amongst the Fulani herdsmen.
The two royal families of Ari and Dallah Dunama of the Kanuri people (Bare-Bari) are the ruling houses of the Lafia Emirate. The current Emir is Sidi Bage, from the Dallah Dunama royal family. He succeeded the longest reigning Emir, HRH Isa Mustapha Agwai I (1976–2019).
