Zamfara State is a state in northwestern Nigeria. Its capital is Gusau and its Governor is Mahmud Shinkafi, a former member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), now a member the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Until 1996 the area was part of Sokoto State.

Zamfara is peopled by Hausa and Fulani peoples. Major groups of people include the Zamfarawa mainly peopling Anka, Gummi, Bukkuyum and Talata Mafara Local Governments areas. Gobirawa peopled Shinkafi Local Government. Gobirawa actually migrated from the Gobir Kingdom. Burmawa are found in Bakura and Fulani peopled Bungudu, Maradun, Gusau and are scattered all over the State. In Tsafe, Bungudu and Maru Local Governments are mainly Katsinawa, Garewawa and Hadejawa. While Alibawa peopled Kaura Namoda and Zurmi.

Although the people of Zamfara have over the years struggled to have autonomy, it was not until 1996 that the then Military Administration of the Late General Sani Abacha created Zamfara State out of Sokoto State. With an area of 38,418 Square kilometres, It is bordered in the North by Niger republic, to the South by Kaduna State. In the east it is bordered by Katsina State and to the West by Sokoto and Niger States. It has a population of 2,069,373 according to the 1991 census and constitutes of fourteen local government areas.

The climate of Zamfara is warm tropical with temperature rising up to 38oC between March to May, Zamfara State is mainly populated by Hausa and Fulani people, with some members of Gwari, Kamuku, Kambari, Dukawa, Bussawa and Zabarma ethnic communities. [1] Others include the Igbo, Yoruba, Kanuri, Nupe and Tiv.

The state capital is an important commercial center with a heterogeneous population of people from all over Nigeria. As in all major towns in Nigeria, all the major towns in Zamfara have a large population of other peoples from different parts of Nigeria.

Agriculture is the most important occupation of the people of the state, hence its slogan farming is our pride.Islam is the principal and major religion of the state. Zamfara was the first state in Nigeria to introduce sharia law.

English is the official language of the state. Zamfara State holds some tourist attractions which are of historical or religious importance. These include Jata, an ancient settlement of Zamfara located around the hill with a large cave around where traditional practices were performed. Major agricultural products include millet, guinea corn, maize, rice, groundnut, cotton, tobacco and beans. Zamfara State shares borders with Sokoto State and Niger Republic to the north, Katsina State to the east and Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi States to the south.