Gombe is the capital city of Gombe State in northeastern Nigeria. It is situated in the savanna region and serves as the administrative, economic, and cultural center of the state. The city has an estimated population of 261,536 and is the headquarters of the Gombe Emirate, a traditional state that encompasses most of Gombe State. Historically, Gombe developed as a trade and agricultural hub, benefiting from its strategic location along major routes connecting different parts of the region. The city has experienced significant growth in infrastructure, commerce, and education, making it an important urban center in northeastern Nigeria.
Gombe, a town and traditional emirate in central Gombe State, northeastern Nigeria, has a rich history dating back to 1804 when it was founded by Buba Yero (Abubakar), a follower of the Fulani leader Usman dan Fodio. Initially established as Gambe in 1824, it was later renamed Gombe Aba (“Old Gombe”) in 1841. The emirate thrived until the late 19th century, when religious conflicts and British colonial expansion disrupted the region. The capital moved to Nafada in 1913 and then to Doma in 1919, which was later renamed Gombe.
Located in the savanna region of the Gongola River basin, the area is home to diverse ethnic groups, including the Fulani, Bolewa, Tera, Tangale, Hausa, Kanuri, Waja, and Tula peoples. Major market centers besides Gombe include Kumo, Deba Habe, Pindiga, Dukku, and Nafada. The Dadin Kowa Dam on the Gongola River supports irrigation and power generation.
Gombe town serves as a major agricultural hub, particularly for peanuts (groundnuts), cotton, sorghum, millet, cowpeas, cassava, beans, onions, and tobacco. Livestock farming is also significant, with cattle, goats, sheep, horses, and donkeys being reared. Traditional crafts like weaving and dyeing cotton remain common. The presence of limestone deposits led to the establishment of a cement factory in Ashaka in the 1970s. Gombe is well-connected by rail and road, linking it to Bauchi, Maiduguri, and Kumo. The town is also home to a national technical teacher-training college and an Arabic teacher-training college.
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