Keffi

Keffi is a historic town located in Nasarawa State, north-central Nigeria. It was founded around 1802 by Abdu Zanga, a Fulani warrior who became its first emir. During the early 19th century, Keffi was a vassal state under the Zaria Emirate, obliged to pay an annual tribute of slaves. In 1902, the British colonial administration moved the headquarters of Nasarawa Province to Keffi to safeguard trade caravans heading north from the Benue River. This strategic decision elevated the town's political importance in the region.

The town gained notoriety in 1902 when a British officer was killed by the Zaria magaji (representative), who then fled to Kano. This incident provided Lord Lugard with the pretext to invade the northern caliphate, leading to the British conquest of Kano in 1903. Following the colonial period, Keffi developed into an educational and commercial center. It is home to a teacher-training college and a hospital, and it lies just 50 kilometers from Abuja, making it a convenient location for federal workers.

According to the 2006 census, Keffi has a population of approximately 92,664 and covers an area of about 138 square kilometers. The majority of inhabitants are Gwandara people, alongside Fulani and Hausa communities. Agriculture and mining, particularly tin and columbite extraction, form the backbone of the local economy. Its proximity to the federal capital has spurred recent growth in trade and services.