Chadic · Nigeria’s peoples
Hausa
The Hausa are Nigeria’s largest people, numbering around 86 million across West Africa, based in the savanna of northern Nigeria and southern Niger.
At a glance
- Where do the Hausa people live?
- Their homeland is in Kano, Kebbi, Bauchi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna States, across 181 local government areas. They are also a large share of Kebbi, Bauchi, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger and Borno States.
- What language do the Hausa speak?
- Hausa, a language of the Chadic family (Afro-Asiatic › Chadic).
Overview
The Hausa are Nigeria’s largest people, numbering around 86 million across West Africa, based in the savanna of northern Nigeria and southern Niger. Their historic city-states, among them Kano, Katsina, Zazzau (Zaria), Daura and Gobir, became emirates of the Sokoto Caliphate. Hausa is the main language of the north and a language of trade far beyond it.[2],[3],[4]High confidence
Where the Hausa live
Local government areas by state. Homeland: the group is the majority. Shared area: a large share of a mixed area. Smaller presence: present, but a small share.
Kano
- Ajingi(Homeland)
- Albasu(Homeland)
- Bagwai(Homeland)
- Bebeji(Homeland)
- Bichi(Homeland)
- Bunkure(Homeland)
- Dala(Homeland)
- Dambatta(Homeland)
- Dawakin Kudu(Homeland)
- Dawakin Tofa(Homeland)
- Doguwa(Homeland)
- Fagge(Homeland)
- Gabasawa(Homeland)
- Garko(Homeland)
- Garun Malam(Homeland)
- Gaya(Homeland)
- Gezawa(Homeland)
- Gwale(Homeland)
- Gwarzo(Homeland)
- Kabo(Homeland)
- Kano Municipal(Homeland)
- Karaye(Homeland)
- Kibiya(Homeland)
- Kiru(Homeland)
- Kumbotso(Homeland)
- Kunchi(Homeland)
- Kura(Homeland)
- Madobi(Homeland)
- Makoda(Homeland)
- Minjibir(Homeland)
- Nassarawa(Homeland)
- Rano(Homeland)
- Rimin Gado(Homeland)
- Rogo(Homeland)
- Shanono(Homeland)
- Sumaila(Homeland)
- Takai(Homeland)
- Tarauni(Homeland)
- Tofa(Homeland)
- Tsanyawa(Homeland)
- Tudun Wada(Homeland)
- Ungogo(Homeland)
- Warawa(Homeland)
- Wudil(Homeland)
Kebbi
- Aleiro(Homeland)
- Arewa Dandi(Homeland)
- Argungu(Homeland)
- Augie(Homeland)
- Bagudu(Homeland)
- Birnin Kebbi(Homeland)
- Bunza(Homeland)
- Dandi(Homeland)
- Gwandu(Homeland)
- Jega(Homeland)
- Kalgo(Homeland)
- Koko-Besse(Homeland)
- Maiyama(Homeland)
- Suru(Homeland)
- Fakai(Shared area)
- Ngaski(Shared area)
- Sakaba(Shared area)
- Shanga(Shared area)
- Wasagu-Danko(Shared area)
- Yauri(Shared area)
- Zuru(Shared area)
Bauchi
- Alkaleri(Homeland)
- Bauchi(Homeland)
- Dambam(Homeland)
- Darazo(Homeland)
- Dass(Homeland)
- Ganjuwa(Homeland)
- Giade(Homeland)
- Itas/Gadau(Homeland)
- Jama'Are(Homeland)
- Katagum(Homeland)
- Kirfi(Homeland)
- Misau(Homeland)
- Ningi(Homeland)
- Shira(Homeland)
- Zaki(Homeland)
- Gamawa(Shared area)
- Tafawa-Balewa(Smaller presence)
- Toro(Smaller presence)
- Warji(Smaller presence)
Zamfara
- Anka(Homeland)
- Bakura(Homeland)
- Birnin Magaji-Kiyaw(Homeland)
- Bukkuyum(Homeland)
- Bungudu(Homeland)
- Gummi(Homeland)
- Gusau(Homeland)
- Kaura Namoda(Homeland)
- Maradun(Homeland)
- Maru(Homeland)
- Shinkafi(Homeland)
- Talata Mafara(Homeland)
- Tsafe(Homeland)
- Zurmi(Homeland)
Jigawa
- Auyo(Homeland)
- Babura(Homeland)
- Biriniwa(Homeland)
- Birnin Kudu(Homeland)
- Buji(Homeland)
- Dutse(Homeland)
- Gagarawa(Homeland)
- Garki(Homeland)
- Gumel(Homeland)
- Guri(Homeland)
- Gwaram(Homeland)
- Gwiwa(Homeland)
- Hadejia(Homeland)
- Jahun(Homeland)
- Kafin Hausa(Homeland)
- Kaugama(Homeland)
- Kazaure(Homeland)
- Kiri Kasama(Homeland)
- Kiyawa(Homeland)
- Maigatari(Homeland)
- Malam Madori(Homeland)
- Miga(Homeland)
- Ringim(Homeland)
- Roni(Homeland)
- Sule Tankarkar(Homeland)
- Taura(Homeland)
- Yankwashi(Homeland)
Katsina
- Bakori(Homeland)
- Batagarawa(Homeland)
- Batsari(Homeland)
- Baure(Homeland)
- Bindawa(Homeland)
- Charanchi(Homeland)
- Dan Musa(Homeland)
- Dandume(Homeland)
- Danja(Homeland)
- Daura(Homeland)
- Dutsi(Homeland)
- Dutsin Ma(Homeland)
- Faskari(Homeland)
- Funtua(Homeland)
- Ingawa(Homeland)
- Jibia(Homeland)
- Kafur(Homeland)
- Kaita(Homeland)
- Kankara(Homeland)
- Kankia(Homeland)
- Katsina(Homeland)
- Kurfi(Homeland)
- Kusada(Homeland)
- Mai'Adua(Homeland)
- Malumfashi(Homeland)
- Mani(Homeland)
- Mashi(Homeland)
- Matazu(Homeland)
- Musawa(Homeland)
- Rimi(Homeland)
- Sabuwa(Homeland)
- Safana(Homeland)
- Sandamu(Homeland)
- Zango(Homeland)
Sokoto
- Binji(Homeland)
- Bodinga(Homeland)
- Dange Shuni(Homeland)
- Gada(Homeland)
- Goronyo(Homeland)
- Gudu(Homeland)
- Gwadabawa(Homeland)
- Illela(Homeland)
- Isa(Homeland)
- Kebbe(Homeland)
- Kware(Homeland)
- Rabah(Homeland)
- Sabon Birni(Homeland)
- Shagari(Homeland)
- Silame(Homeland)
- Sokoto North(Homeland)
- Sokoto South(Homeland)
- Tambuwal(Homeland)
- Tangaza(Homeland)
- Tureta(Homeland)
- Wamakko(Homeland)
- Wurno(Homeland)
- Yabo(Homeland)
Kaduna
- Birnin Gwari(Homeland)
- Giwa(Homeland)
- Ikara(Homeland)
- Kaduna North(Homeland)
- Kubau(Homeland)
- Kudan(Homeland)
- Makarfi(Homeland)
- Sabon Gari(Homeland)
- Soba(Homeland)
- Zaria(Homeland)
- Igabi(Shared area)
- Kaduna South(Shared area)
- Kagarko(Shared area)
- Lere(Shared area)
- Chikun(Smaller presence)
- Jaba(Smaller presence)
- Jema'A(Smaller presence)
- Kachia(Smaller presence)
- Kajuru(Smaller presence)
- Kaura(Smaller presence)
- Kauru(Smaller presence)
- Sanga(Smaller presence)
- Zangon Kataf(Smaller presence)
Plateau
- Jos North(Shared area)
- Wase(Smaller presence)
Nasarawa
- Keffi(Shared area)
- Lafia(Shared area)
- Akwanga(Smaller presence)
- Awe(Smaller presence)
- Doma(Smaller presence)
- Karu(Smaller presence)
- Keana(Smaller presence)
- Kokona(Smaller presence)
- Nasarawa(Smaller presence)
- Nasarawa Egon(Smaller presence)
- Obi(Smaller presence)
- Toto(Smaller presence)
- Wamba(Smaller presence)
Niger
- Kontagora(Shared area)
- Bida(Smaller presence)
- Borgu(Smaller presence)
- Mokwa(Smaller presence)
Borno
- Ngala(Shared area)
- Abadam(Smaller presence)
- Bama(Smaller presence)
- Dikwa(Smaller presence)
- Gubio(Smaller presence)
- Gwoza(Smaller presence)
- Jere(Smaller presence)
- Kaga(Smaller presence)
- Kukawa(Smaller presence)
- Marte(Smaller presence)
- Mobbar(Smaller presence)
- Monguno(Smaller presence)
Yobe
- Bade(Smaller presence)
- Bursari(Smaller presence)
- Damaturu(Smaller presence)
- Fika(Smaller presence)
- Fune(Smaller presence)
- Geidam(Smaller presence)
- Gujba(Smaller presence)
- Gulani(Smaller presence)
- Jakusko(Smaller presence)
- Karasuwa(Smaller presence)
- Machina(Smaller presence)
- Nangere(Smaller presence)
- Nguru(Smaller presence)
- Potiskum(Smaller presence)
- Tarmuwa(Smaller presence)
- Yunusari(Smaller presence)
- Yusufari(Smaller presence)
Gombe
- Balanga(Smaller presence)
- Yamaltu/Deba(Smaller presence)
Federal Capital Territory
- Bwari(Smaller presence)
- Gwagwalada(Smaller presence)
- Kuje(Smaller presence)
- Kwali(Smaller presence)
- Municipal Area Council(Smaller presence)
Areas are approximate and show where people live. They are not claims of land ownership.
Communities beyond the homeland
Kano
Kano Municipal, Kano State; Dala, Kano State; Fagge, Kano State: Dala Hill.[15],[16]High confidence
Dala Hill was home to an iron-working community by the 7th century; the Kano Chronicle names Barbushe, priest of Dala, before the Bagauda dynasty. One of the seven Hausa kingdoms and long the commercial centre of the north, with settled Arab, Tuareg and Kanuri communities before colonial rule.[15],[16]
Rano
Rano, Kano State.[17]High confidence
One of the seven Hausa Bakwai, founded by tradition by Zamna Kogi, a descendant of Bayajidda. Yaji I of Kano conquered it and held it for two years; it never regained its sovereignty.[17]
Bebeji
Bebeji, Kano State: Kofa, Gargai, Baguda, Duramawa, Kuki, Yakun, Yanshere, Damau.[18],[19]High confidence
Mostly Hausa and Fulani, with an old Habe mosque. By the owner's account Igala of the Kwararafa host stayed here after the invasions of Kano; no written source yet confirms it.[18],[19]
Katsina
Katsina, Katsina State.[20]High confidence
Founded around 1100 within a 21 km wall. Its pre-Islamic Sarki could be put to death if he ruled badly. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was the commercial heart of Hausaland; the Fulani took it in 1807.[20]
Daura
Daura, Katsina State: Kusugu Well.[21]High confidence
The spiritual home of the Hausa: here, by legend, Bayajidda killed the snake Sarki at the Kusugu well and married Queen Daurama. Taken by the Fulani under Malam Ishaku in 1805; the British restored the old line in 1904.[21]
Zaria (Zazzau)
Zaria, Kaduna State; Sabon Gari, Kaduna State.[22]High confidence
Capital of Zazzau, the southernmost Hausa state, renamed in the late 16th century after Queen Amina's sister. Islam reached it from Kano and Katsina in the 1450s.[22]
Suleja (old Abuja)
Suleja, Niger State: Zuba.[23]High confidence
After the Fulani took Zaria about 1804, Muhamman Makau, Sarkin Zazzau, led the Hausa nobility south to the Koro town of Zuba; his brother Abu Ja built the new capital that bore his name, Abuja. Renamed Suleja when the federal capital took the name in 1976.[23]
Hadejia (Biram)
Hadejia, Jigawa State.[24]High confidence
Once called Biram, one of the Hausa Bakwai, ruled by the line of Bayajidda; overcome in the Fulani war by 1810.[24]
Kazaure
Kazaure, Jigawa State.[25]High confidence
First settled about 1300 by Habe hunters under Kutumbi, from the smiths' settlement on Dala Hill; the name comes from “kamar zaure”, “like an inner room”, for its sheltered valley.[25]
Gumel
Gumel, Jigawa State.[26]High confidence
Founded about 1750 by Dan Juma and his Mangawa followers; tributary to Bornu, it never fell to the Sokoto jihad. Moved from Tumbi, now in Niger, in 1845, it fought Hadejia until 1872.[26]
Birnin Kebbi
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.[27]High confidence
Capital of Kebbi until Abdullahi dan Fodio burned it in 1805; from 1906 headquarters of the Gwandu Emirate.[27]
Argungu
Argungu, Kebbi State.[28]High confidence
Where the kings of Kebbi fled after the Fulani conquest of 1808; Gwandu could never fully hold it, and by 1900 it was independent again until the British came in 1902. Home of the Argungu fishing festival.[28]
Language
Hausa, a language of the Chadic family (Afro-Asiatic › Chadic). ISO 639-3: hau.[1]High confidence
In history
Sources
Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).
- Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin; Bank, Sebastian. Glottolog: Hausa (haus1257)
- Wikipedia contributors. Hausa people
- Wikipedia contributors. Hausa Kingdoms
- Amfani, Ahmed. (2018). Revisiting the Linguistic Situation in the North West Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria. JOLAN Supplement III (languages of each state by LGA)
- Wikipedia contributors. Igabi
- Udosen, Escor E. (2018). Linguistic Survey of Nigerian Languages: A Preliminary Report of the Languages of the North East Geopolitical Zone. JOLAN Supplement III (tables of languages by LGA for Bauchi, Borno, Gombe and Yobe)
- (2025). List of ethnic groups and languages in Niger State by Local Government Area. Soluap
- Omachonu, Gideon S.; Dalhatu, Abigail Musa. (2018). The Languages of the North Central Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria. JOLAN Supplement III (tables of languages by LGA for Benue, FCT, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau)
- Wikipedia contributors. Lafia
- Jones, Ross. The ethnic groups of present day Borgu (with population estimates for 1997 from the 1991 census and a 1992 language survey)
- Human Rights Watch. (2006). "They Do Not Own This Place": Government Discrimination Against "Non-Indigenes" in Nigeria
- Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State (official site) (cited elsewhere, not yet checked directly)
- Wikipedia contributors. Nasarawa State (languages by LGA)
- Wikipedia contributors. Toro, Nigeria (cited elsewhere, not yet checked directly)
- Wikipedia contributors. Kano (city)
- Palmer, H. R. (translator). (1908). The Kano Chronicle. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 38: 58–98 (cited elsewhere, not yet checked directly)
- Wikipedia contributors. Rano
- Wikipedia contributors. Bebeji
- HistoNaija owner. (2026). Local knowledge from the HistoNaija owner: Kwararafa forces invaded Kano, and some of their peoples, such as the Igala and Jukun, settled in Kano quarters like Bebeji
- Wikipedia contributors. Katsina (city)
- Wikipedia contributors. Daura
- Wikipedia contributors. Zaria (Zazzau)
- Wikipedia contributors. Suleja
- Wikipedia contributors. Hadejia
- Wikipedia contributors. Kazaure
- Wikipedia contributors. Gumel
- Wikipedia contributors. Birnin Kebbi
- Wikipedia contributors. Argungu