Taraba State, Nature’s Gift to the Nation, lies in the north-east of Nigeria along the border with Cameroon and is one of the most scenic and unspoilt states in the country. Home to the cool Mambilla Plateau, the vast Gashaka-Gumti National Park and the valleys of the Benue and Taraba rivers, the state is a treasure house of landscapes and diverse peoples.
This complete guide brings together everything you need to know about Taraba State in one place: the full postal (zip) code for every local government area, the codes for its major towns, and an in-depth profile covering the capital, government, economy, infrastructure, education, culture, tourism and climate.
Before we get to the codes themselves, it helps to understand what they are. In Nigeria, what many people casually call a “zip code” is officially known as a postal code. These are the six digit numbers managed by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) that identify a specific area for the sorting and delivery of mail. Whether you are sending a parcel, filling out an online form, registering for a service or verifying an address, using the correct postal code for your location keeps everything accurate and reliable.
Taraba Zip Code
The postal (zip) codes of Taraba State range from 660001 to 672101. The state has 16 local government areas, each with its own code, and the capital Jalingo falls under 660001 to 660101. Because Taraba State is large and every district can have its own code, no single number covers the whole state.
This is why it is always best to confirm the exact code for your specific location rather than relying on one general figure. The tables further down this page list the code for every local government area and for the major towns of the state, so you can find the one that matches your address.
How Postal Codes Work in Taraba
Nigeria’s postal code system uses six digits, and the numbers are not random. The opening digits point to a broad postal zone and district, while the remaining digits narrow the location down to a specific delivery area. In Taraba State, the codes are grouped around the capital Jalingo and spread outward across the local government areas and towns.
For everyday use you rarely need to memorise these codes. What matters is knowing where to look them up and making sure you use the code for your exact district, since a parcel addressed with the wrong postal code can be delayed or misrouted.
As a simple example, a letter or package addressed to the capital, Jalingo, would carry a code in the 660001 to 660101 range, while an address in one of the more distant local government areas would use a completely different code. The tables below list the ranges recorded against each local government area and major town in the state, which will get you to the right part of the numbering. They are a starting point rather than the last word: the code that matters for an official form is the one used by the post office that actually delivers to the address.
Full List of Taraba State LGA Postal Codes
Below is the complete list of all 16 local government areas in Taraba State and their postal (zip) codes.
How to read this table. NIPOST assigns postal codes to post office delivery districts, not to local government areas, and the two do not line up neatly. One delivery district often serves parts of several LGAs, which is why neighbouring areas here can share the same range — that is the system working as designed, not an error. Treat a range as the codes covering that area, not as a code issued exclusively to it. Where a code has to be exact, confirm it with the post office that delivers to the address before you submit anything.
Local Government Area (LGA)
Postal Code Range Serving This Area
Ardo Kola
660102
Bali
672101
Donga
671102
Gashaka
663101
Gassol
670102
Ibi
670109
Jalingo
660101
Karim Lamido
662106
Kurmi
671104
Lau
662101
Sardauna
663102
Takum
671101
Ussa
671103
Wukari
670101
Yorro
661101
Zing
661103
Postal Codes of Major Towns in Taraba
These are some of the most searched towns and areas of the state and their postal codes.
Major Town
Postal Code Range Serving This Area
Jalingo
660001
Wukari
670101
Bali
672101
Gembu (Sardauna)
663102
Takum
671101
Ibi
670109
Major Cities and Towns in Taraba State
Jalingo, the capital, is the largest town and the administrative and commercial centre of the state, a market town in the north.
Wukari, in the south, is a historic town and the seat of the Aku Uka, the traditional ruler of the Jukun and a figure associated with the ancient Kwararafa confederacy, while Bali is an important commercial and agricultural town. Gembu, on the Mambilla Plateau, is the centre of the cool highland region, and Takum and Ibi are other significant towns. Together these towns, spread from the plains to the high plateau, make up the fabric of Nature’s Gift to the Nation.
Jalingo: The Capital of Taraba State
Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, is a growing town in the north of the state and serves as its administrative and commercial centre. It hosts the state secretariat, the Governor’s office and major institutions, including the Taraba State University.
Set near the valley of the Benue and its tributary the Taraba, the town has developed steadily since the creation of the state into a modern capital, serving as a market and service centre for the surrounding region.
Jalingo anchors the administration of a large and diverse state that stretches from the plains of the north to the highlands of the Mambilla Plateau in the far south, and it is the gateway to the state’s many natural attractions.
As the heart of Nature’s Gift to the Nation, Jalingo combines its role as the seat of government with its position as the centre of one of the most scenic and diverse states in the country.
Overview and History of Taraba State
Taraba State was created in 1991 from the former Gongola State. It lies in the North East zone and is divided into 16 Local Government Areas. It is one of the most ethnically diverse states in Nigeria, home to the Jukun, Mumuye, Chamba, Kuteb, Fulani, Mambilla and many other groups, and it borders Cameroon.
The state takes its name from the River Taraba, a tributary of the Benue, and its territory includes the historic Jukun kingdom of Wukari, the Kwararafa confederacy of tradition, and the highland communities of the Mambilla Plateau.
The Mambilla Plateau in the far south, the highest plateau in Nigeria, gives the state a cool, mountainous region quite unlike the rest of the north, famous for its tea plantations and grazing.
This combination of great ethnic diversity, historic kingdoms and extraordinary landscapes, from river valleys to high plateau, gives Taraba a distinctive place among the states of the north-east.
Government and Current Governor
Taraba State is governed by Agbu Kefas, who serves as the state’s chief executive from Jalingo and administers public services across all 16 Local Government Areas, working alongside the elected State House of Assembly and the judiciary.
The administration’s priorities include agriculture, infrastructure, education, security and harnessing the state’s remarkable tourism potential.
Developing the highlands and river valleys, supporting farmers and herders, and improving services across the vast and varied terrain are consistent themes of government policy.
Economy of Taraba State
Taraba’s economy is overwhelmingly agricultural, and the state’s varied landscapes allow a remarkable range of production. The plains produce rice, maize, guinea corn, groundnuts, yam and cassava, while the Mambilla Plateau supports tea, coffee and extensive cattle grazing.
The state is one of Nigeria’s most important cattle-rearing areas, particularly on the cool highlands of the Mambilla, and the tea plantations at Kakara and Nguroje are among the few in the country.
The rivers support fishing, and trade in cattle, grain, tea and other produce is central to the economy, with markets across the state, while the tourism potential of the highlands and parks remains largely untapped.
This blend of lowland and highland farming, extensive cattle rearing, fishing and trade gives Taraba a distinctive economy rooted in its extraordinary range of landscapes.
Infrastructure and Transport
Taraba is served by roads linking Jalingo to Wukari, Bali, the Mambilla Plateau and the neighbouring states, and by the valley of the Benue, which touches the state. An airport at Jalingo serves the capital.
The great distances and the mountainous terrain of the south make infrastructure a challenge, and development continues to focus on roads and services to connect the plains with the highlands.
Improving the long and difficult routes up to the Mambilla Plateau and connecting the diverse communities across the vast state remain continuing priorities for the government.
Education and Institutions
Taraba is home to Taraba State University in Jalingo, the Federal University Wukari, the Kwararafa University at Wukari and a number of colleges, giving the state a growing educational base.
These institutions provide opportunities for young people across the diverse and far-flung state and contribute to its development, complementing its strong agricultural economy.
Culture and People
Taraba is one of the most ethnically diverse states in Nigeria, home to the Jukun, Mumuye, Chamba, Kuteb, Fulani, Mambilla and many other peoples, each with their own languages, festivals and traditions. This diversity gives the state a rich and varied cultural life.
The Jukun of Wukari, with the Aku Uka and the heritage of the ancient Kwararafa confederacy, hold a place of special historical significance, and their festivals and traditions are among the most notable in the state.
The highland Mambilla people and the many groups of the plains maintain their own distinct customs, music and celebrations, giving Taraba a cultural heritage as varied as its landscapes.
Tourism and Landmarks
Taraba genuinely lives up to its title as Nature’s Gift to the Nation, with some of the finest natural attractions in the country. The Mambilla Plateau, the highest in Nigeria, offers cool, rolling highlands, tea plantations and spectacular scenery quite unlike anywhere else in the north.
The Gashaka-Gumti National Park, the largest national park in Nigeria, spans a vast area of mountains, forests and rivers, home to chimpanzees, elephants and a great variety of wildlife.
The Barup and Gumti areas, the river valleys and the historic Jukun town of Wukari add further natural and cultural appeal for visitors.
Together, this combination of a unique highland plateau, the country’s largest national park and rich cultural heritage gives Taraba an outstanding, if still developing, tourism appeal.
Climate
Taraba has a climate that varies dramatically with its terrain. The lowlands and river valleys are tropical, with a rainy season from around April to October and a hot dry season, while the Mambilla Plateau in the south is cool and temperate all year, with frequent mists and much higher rainfall.
This range of conditions, from the warm plains to the cool highlands, supports an extraordinary variety of farming, from lowland cereals to highland tea and cattle, and gives the state its celebrated natural beauty.
Quick Facts About Taraba State
Capital: Jalingo
Geopolitical Zone: North East
Postal Code Range: 660001 to 672101
Number of LGAs: 16
Governor: Agbu Kefas
Created: 1991
Also Known As: Nature’s Gift to the Nation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the zip code for Taraba State?
Taraba State postal codes range from 660001 to 672101. Each local government area and district has its own specific six digit code, so use the tables above to find the exact one for your area.
What is the postal code for Jalingo?
Jalingo, the capital, falls under the 660001 to 660101 range.
How many local government areas are in Taraba State?
There are 16 local government areas in Taraba State.
Who is the current governor of Taraba State?
The Governor of Taraba State is Agbu Kefas.
What is the capital of Taraba State?
The capital of Taraba State is Jalingo.
Does every area in Taraba have its own postal code?
Yes. NIPOST assigns six digit codes down to district and street level, which is why a single state wide number is not enough for accurate delivery.
What geopolitical zone is Taraba State in?
Taraba State is located in the North East geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
When was Taraba State created?
Taraba State was created in 1991, and it is today divided into 16 local government areas.
What is Taraba State also known as?
Taraba State is also known as the Nature’s Gift to the Nation, a name that reflects its identity and heritage.
What is the postal code range for Taraba State?
The postal codes of Taraba State run from 660001 to 672101, covering all 16 of its local government areas and the towns within them.
Do I need a postal code to send mail within Taraba State?
Using the correct postal code helps ensure that mail, parcels and deliveries reach the right district within Taraba State quickly and accurately, and many online forms and delivery services now ask for it.
Summary
In summary, Taraba State is served by postal codes ranging from 660001 to 672101, spread across its 16 local government areas and its many towns, with the capital Jalingo falling under the 660001 to 660101 range. The tables on this page give the specific code for every local government area and major town, making it easy to find the exact one you need.
How to confirm these postal codes
Nigerian postal codes are administered by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), which assigns a six-digit code to each delivery area. Codes are occasionally revised when local government areas are created, renamed, or reorganised, and a single town can fall under more than one code depending on the delivery district. The codes on this page are compiled from NIPOST listings and state administrative records. If you are addressing official mail or completing a form where the code must be exact, confirm it on the NIPOST website or at your nearest post office.
