| Official Name: | Jaba | ||||||
| Native Name: | Ham | ||||||
| Settlement Type: | LGA | ||||||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||||||
| Subdivision Name: |  Nigeria | ||||||
| Subdivision Type1: | State | ||||||
| Subdivision Name1: | Kaduna State | ||||||
| Subdivision Type2: | Capital | ||||||
| Seat Type: | Headquarters | ||||||
| Seat: | Kwain | ||||||
| Leader Title: | Sole Administrator | ||||||
| Leader Name: | Nita Byack George | ||||||
| Unit Pref: | Imperial | ||||||
| Area Total Km2: | 531 | ||||||
| Population As Of: | 2006 | ||||||
| Population Total: | 155,973 | ||||||
| Population Density Km2: | 396.7 | ||||||
| Timezone: | WAT | ||||||
| Utc Offset: | +1 | ||||||
| Module: |
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| Iso Code: | NG.KD.JA[1] | ||||||
Jaba is a Local Government Area in southern Kaduna State, Nigeria. It covers an area of 531 km2.[2] It is located close to the Jos Plateau region and Abuja in the central part of Nigeria in West Africa. The local government capital is in the town of Kwoi. The postal code of the area is 801.[3] The Chairman of the local government oversee both economic and developmental activities in the area.[4]
It is named after Hausa: Jaba a local Hausa word used to describe the Ham people who occupy most of the local government. The Ham people describe the word Hausa: Jaba as derogatory.[5] [6]
The Local Government was created on the 27th of August 1991. It was carved out from Jema'a Local Government Area. The local government is one of the old place in southern Kaduna, which the Java paramount chiefs since the colonial administration from 1910 till date.[7]
Jaba Local Government Area (LGA) shares boundaries with Kachia LGA to the northwest, Kagarko LGA to the southwest, Zangon Kataf LGA to the north, Jema'a LGA to the east; and Karu LGA of Nasarawa State to south, respectively.[8] [9]
Jaba is known for its unusual agricultural status as one of the world's top producing regions for ginger, with the sale and export of the commodity significantly boosting the local economy. Rams, goats, camels, and donkeys are just a few of the domestic animals that are raised and sold in the LGA. Hunting and trading are two other significant economic activities carried out by the residents of Jaba LGA.[10]
Jaba Local Government Area consists of 10 subdivisions (second-order administrative divisions) or electoral wards, namely:[11]
At the 2000 and 2006 census, there were 155,973 people in the local government area and a 2016 projection of 210,500.[12] [13] It is inhabited predominantly by Ham people, part of the people likely to have created the Nok culture.
The inhabitants are predominantly Christians.
From the Plateau State capital, Jos, it is a journey by road to Kafanchan to Sambang, Kwain, Nok, and to all other villages. From Kaduna, it is a journey through Kachia, Ngboodub, Ghikyaar and to Har Kwain.
There are a few administrative offices/agencies with educational institutions with the only higher institution being ECWA Pastors' Training College in Kwain (Kwoi).