Nafada

Nafada is a town on the Gongola River and the headquarters of Nafada Local Government Area in Gombe State. The area lies in wooded savanna within the Gongola basin and is home to Fulani, Bolewa, Tera, Tangale, Hausa, Kanuri, Waja and Tula peoples. Nafada has notable historical significance: the capital of the Gombe Emirate was briefly moved here in 1913 (before relocating again in 1919 to Doma, later renamed Gombe), and after the 1903 Battle of Burmi a garrison of the Northern Nigeria Regiment was stationed in the town to secure colonial trade along the Gongola River. Trading firms including the United Africa Company and John Holt Company opened stores in Nafada in the early 20th century to take advantage of trade routes converging on the town from Maiduguri, Yola, Numan, Lau, Deba Habe and Bauchi. Nafada remains an important market centre in Gombe State today.

Nafada is reached by road from Gombe town.

• Gongola River — the river that runs through the town and historically anchored its trade routes.
• Nafada Market — a long-standing regional trading centre.