Gwandu

For the emirate, see Gwandu Emirate.

Gwandu
LGA and town
Nickname:  TA ABDULLAHI
Gwandu
Coordinates: 12°30′8″N4°38′33″E / 12.50222°N 4.64250°E / 12.50222; 4.64250
Country	Nigeria
State	Kebbi State
Demonym	Gwandawa (plural)
Time zone	UTC+1 (WAT)

Gwandu, also called Gando, is a local government area in Kebbi State, with its headquarters at Gwandu town. ^[1] Established by the founder of the Kebbi Kingdom, Muhammadu Kanta, the settlement was used as royal farmland (gandu) by the kingdom's rulers for centuries. Following the founding of the Sokoto Caliphate in the 19th century and the decline of Kebbi, Gwandu became a co-capital of the Caliphate, from which its Emirs oversaw the western and southern territories. The capital of the Gwandu Emirate was later changed to Birnin Kebbi in 1906. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

History

Further information: Gwandu Emirate

The name "Gwandu" derives from the Hausa word gandu, which translates to "royal farmlands." The town's origins can be traced back to its earlier days as a small village under the leadership of the royal farmer of Kanta Kotal, who was the first King of Kebbi who reigned from 1517 to 1561. Over time, the village developed and expanded, eventually becoming a town. One of the factors contributing to the growth of Gwandu was its favorable geographical location and the presence of fertile lands. The area boasted rich pasturelands, which attracted Fulani pastoralists to settle there.

After the Kebbi expedition during the Sokoto jihad, Gwandu emerged as a significant and permanent base for Usman dan Fodio and his followers. Recognizing the strategic importance of the town, Muhammad Bello ordered the construction of a protective wall around the town in 1806. This defensive wall aimed to fortify the city and enhance its security against potential external threats. Although Usman eventually departed from Gwandu, the town retained its significance within the context of the jihad. It became the capital of the newly established Gwandu emirate under the leadership of Abdullahi dan Fodio. The geographical location of Gwandu, nestled in a valley with surrounding ridges, provided natural advantages for defense against external attacks. The town's topography further contributed to its status as a stronghold. ^{[5] : 56}

An 1898 map of the Gwandu Emirate

Climate

In contrast to the dry season, which is hot and partially cloudy, the wet season is oppressively hot and cloudy. ^[6]

References

1. Maishanu, Abubakar Ahmadu (March 17, 2023). "ANALYSIS: Bagudu's performance, APC crises, other factors to decide Kebbi governorship race". Premium Times. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
2. Balogun, S. A. (1973). "Succession Tradition in Gwandu History, 1817-1918". Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria. 7 (1): 17–33. ISSN   0018-2540. JSTOR   41856982.
3. Jimoh, Mufutau Oluwasegun (2017-05-01). "Gwandu Emirate: The Domain of Abdullahi Fodiyo, Since 1805". Journal of Pan African Studies. 10 (3): 386–390.
4. "Gwandu | Nigeria". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
5. Gwandu, Abubaker Aliu (1977). Abdullahi b. fodio as a Muslim jurist (Doctoral thesis). Durham University.
6. "Gwandu Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Nigeria) - Weather Spark". weatherspark.com. Retrieved 2023-09-10.