One of Nigeria’s thirty-six states, Adamawa State, is found in the North East geopolitical zone of the country. It was formed on 27 August 1991, from part of the former Gongola State. Yola is the state’s capital, and the state is known as ‘The Land of Beauty’.
Adamawa State has 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs). These LGAs are the most important local administrative units in which core government structures and services are distributed throughout the state.
The 21 LGAs reach from the mountainous zone of the east, which borders Cameroon, to the Benue and Gongola valleys and other communities in the west and south of the state.
This article presents the complete list of the 21 LGAs in the state, their administrative headquarters, and other relevant information about each.
How Many Local Government Areas Are in Adamawa State?
Adamawa State has 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The 21 LGAs are further classified into three Senatorial Districts: Adamawa North, Adamawa Central, Adamawa South.
The 21 LGAs are:
- Demsa
- Fufore
- Ganye
- Girei
- Gombi
- Guyuk
- Hong
- Jada
- Lamurde
- Madagali
- Maiha
- Mayo Belwa
- Michika
- Mubi North
- Mubi South
- Numan
- Shelleng
- Song
- Toungo
- Yola North
- Yola South
List of the 21 LGAs in Adamawa State and Their Headquarters
| No. | Local Government Area | Headquarters |
| 1 | Demsa | Demsa |
| 2 | Fufore | Fufore |
| 3 | Ganye | Ganye |
| 4 | Girei | Girei |
| 5 | Gombi | Gombi |
| 6 | Guyuk | Guyuk |
| 7 | Hong | Hong |
| 8 | Jada | Jada |
| 9 | Lamurde | Lamurde |
| 10 | Madagali | Gulak |
| 11 | Maiha | Maiha |
| 12 | Mayo Belwa | Mayo Belwa |
| 13 | Michika | Michika |
| 14 | Mubi North | Mubi |
| 15 | Mubi South | Gella |
| 16 | Numan | Numan |
| 17 | Shelleng | Shelleng |
| 18 | Song | Song |
| 19 | Toungo | Toungo |
| 20 | Yola North | Jimeta |
| 21 | Yola South | Yola |
The headquarters listed above are consistent with available administrative directories and recent state level references. I
Complete List of 21 Local Government Areas in Adamawa State
Below is the full list of all 21 Local Government Areas in Adamawa State, their administrative headquarters, and their senatorial districts.
| S/N | Local Government Area | Headquarters | Senatorial District |
| 1 | Demsa | Demsa | Adamawa South |
| 2 | Fufore | Fufore | Adamawa Central |
| 3 | Ganye | Ganye | Adamawa South |
| 4 | Girei | Girei | Adamawa Central |
| 5 | Gombi | Gombi | Adamawa Central |
| 6 | Guyuk | Guyuk | Adamawa South |
| 7 | Hong | Hong | Adamawa Central |
| 8 | Jada | Jada | Adamawa South |
| 9 | Lamurde | Lamurde | Adamawa South |
| 10 | Madagali | Gulak | Adamawa North |
| 11 | Maiha | Maiha | Adamawa North |
| 12 | Mayo-Belwa | Mayo-Belwa | Adamawa South |
| 13 | Michika | Michika | Adamawa North |
| 14 | Mubi North | Mubi | Adamawa North |
| 15 | Mubi South | Gella | Adamawa North |
| 16 | Numan | Numan | Adamawa South |
| 17 | Shelleng | Shelleng | Adamawa South |
| 18 | Song | Song | Adamawa Central |
| 19 | Toungo | Toungo | Adamawa South |
| 20 | Yola North | Jimeta | Adamawa Central |
| 21 | Yola South | Yola Town | Adamawa Central |
Sources: Adamawa State Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Adamawa State Planning Commission, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission
Detailed Overview by Senatorial District
Adamawa North Senatorial District
The Adamawa North senatorial district comprises five local government areas:
1. Madagali LGA – Headquarters: Gulak. Located in the northernmost part of the state, bordering Borno State.
2. Maiha LGA – Headquarters: Maiha. An agricultural LGA known for crop cultivation.
3. Michika LGA – Headquarters: Michika. A town and LGA located directly across the border from the famous tourist site of Mcedigyi in Rhumsiki, Cameroon.
4. Mubi North LGA – Headquarters: Mubi. The commercial nerve center of the north, hosting one of the largest international cattle markets in West Africa.
5. Mubi South LGA – Headquarters: Gella. An agricultural area surrounding the Mubi commercial hub.
Adamawa Central Senatorial District
The Adamawa Central senatorial district comprises seven local government areas:
6. Fufore LGA – Headquarters: Fufore. Located on the northern fringe with riverine influences. Notable for Yadim Waterfalls and Sella Negis Waterfalls.
7. Girei LGA – Headquarters: Girei. A peri-urban LGA adjacent to the state capital.
8. Gombi LGA – Headquarters: Gombi. Features highland terrain near state borders. Rich in magnesite and kaolin deposits.
9. Hong LGA – Headquarters: Hong. Headquarters of the newly created Huba Chiefdom.
10. Song LGA – Headquarters: Song. An agricultural LGA in the central zone.
11. Yola North LGA – Headquarters: Jimeta. The administrative heart of the state. In 2026, it is the primary site for the state’s Digitalization Project, moving all local government operations to e-platforms.
12. Yola South LGA – Headquarters: Yola Town. The traditional seat of the Lamido of Adamawa. Home to the Fombina Palace Museum, which houses artifacts of the ancient Fombina Kingdom.
Adamawa South Senatorial District
The Adamawa South senatorial district comprises nine local government areas:
13. Demsa LGA – Headquarters: Demsa. Rich in limestone deposits.
14. Ganye LGA – Headquarters: Ganye. A mineral-rich LGA with deposits of tantalite, cassiterite, and kaolin.
15. Guyuk LGA – Headquarters: Guyuk. Features the Elephant House, an ancient architecture of great significance to the Lunguda people. Rich in gypsum and limestone.
16. Jada LGA – Headquarters: Jada. Known for the Koma Hills and mineral deposits including lead and cassiterite.
17. Lamurde LGA – Headquarters: Lamurde. Home to Ruwan Zafi Spring, a natural hot spring tourist attraction.
18. Mayo-Belwa LGA – Headquarters: Mayo-Belwa. A key agricultural zone benefiting from infrastructure upgrades to rural-to-market roads. Features Gorobi Rock Formations.
19. Numan LGA – Headquarters: Numan. A major industrial and agricultural hub, known for its strategic position along the Benue River and its sugar production potential. Rich in gypsum and limestone.
20. Shelleng LGA – Headquarters: Shelleng. Home to Kiri Dam, a tourist site offering decent accommodation and breath-taking scenery.
21. Toungo LGA – Headquarters: Toungo. Features Gumti Park (wildlife and beautiful landscapes), Sassa Waterfalls, and Makam Walls (ancient architecture dating back hundreds of years).
Key Facts About Adamawa State
- Capital: Yola (administratively split between Yola North and Yola South LGAs)
- Total Land Area: 36,917 km²
- Population (2006 Census): 3,178,950
- Population (2016 Projection): 4,248,436
- Date of Creation: August 27, 1991
- Governor (2026): Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri
- 2026 Budget: ₦583.3 billion (“Budget of Sustainable Growth and Renewal”)
- Senatorial Districts: 3
- Federal Constituencies: 8
- Wards: 226
- Borders: Borno (northwest), Gombe (west), Taraba (southwest), Cameroon (east)
- Major Ethnic Groups: Fulani (most prevalent), Dong, Gengle, Kumba, Mumuye, Nyong, Chamba Daka, Teme, Yendang, and others
- Major Cash Crops: Cotton, Groundnuts
- Major Food Crops: Maize, Yam, Cassava, Guinea Corn, Millet, Rice
- Solid Minerals: Tantalite, Cassiterite, Lead, Magnesite, Gypsum, Limestone, Kaolin
Proposed New LGAs (2026)
In January 2026, the National Assembly received a list of proposed new local government areas from several states, including Adamawa State. The proposed LGAs for Adamawa include:
Bidoma LGA, Borrong LGA, Yadim LGA, Gurum LGA, Gombi LGA, Giyawana LGA, Suwa-Waduku LGA, Tola LGA, Michika South LGA, Vulpi LGA, Dumne LGA, Boi-Tapshin LGA.
Note: These proposals are pending legislative approval and do not currently affect the official count of 21 LGAs.
Tourist Attractions in Adamawa State
Adamawa State is home to several notable tourist sites:
| Tourist Site | Location | Main Attractions |
| Kiri Dam | Shelleng LGA | Decent accommodation and breath-taking scenery |
| Ruwan Zafi Spring | Lamurde LGA | Natural hot spring |
| Gumti Park | Toungo LGA | Wildlife and beautiful landscapes |
| Sassa Waterfalls | Toungo LGA | Breath-taking waterfall and refreshing scenery |
| Yadim Waterfalls | Fufore LGA | Beautiful waterfalls and landscapes |
| Sella Negis Waterfalls | Fufore LGA | Beautiful waterfalls and proximity to State capital |
| Makam Walls | Toungo LGA | Ancient architecture dating back to hundreds of years |
| Fombina Palace Museum | Yola South LGA | Artifacts of ancient Fombina Kingdom |
| Gorobi Rock Formations | Mayo-Belwa LGA | Beautiful natural rock formations |
| Elephant House | Guyuk LGA | Ancient architecture of great significance to the Lunguda people |
Educational Institutions
Adamawa State hosts several prominent educational institutions, including:
- American University of Nigeria (Yola)
- Modibbo Adama University of Technology (Yola)
- Adamawa State Polytechnic (Yola)
- Adamawa State College of Nursing and Midwifery
Conclusion
There are 21 local government areas (LGAs) in Adamawa State.
The geographical center of Adamawa State is Yola. However, agriculture-based Jimeta, Mubi, Numan, and Ganye are important urban and commercial centers. The state also consists of important crops for agriculture, including maize, rice, millet, cotton, groundnut, yam and cassava.
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