Abaji

Abaji is a local government area in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja. The Abaji Area Council is the area council furthest from the city center and occupies approximately 1,100 square kilometers. Created in 1986, the council has a population of over 46,600 inhabitants according to a 2006 national census. As a gateway to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abaji is a fast-growing area. There is a notable influx of arrivals, many moving in search of new means of livelihood.

The council includes the land inhabited by the Bassa people, and Egbura even though other tribes (Ebiras, Yorubas, Igbos, and Nupes etc.) can be found in small proportions all over the Area council. The indigenous people are Bassa people, Egbura, Gbagyi and Ganagana people. There is also a notable Hausa population. The first settlers in Abuja are Gbagyi, Bassa people, Egbira/Egbura people before the Usman Danfodio religious war came to Northcentral, Abuja South. After the kingship throne was won by the Egbura people from the Bassa people, the Egbura ruled the people, but allowed the Hausa to retain the spiritual position as Imam for the Muslim ummah of the city. Abaji kingdom headed by the Ona of Abaji (chairman FCT Council of Chiefs), is the oldest traditional institution in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. The land was formerly under the old Koton Karfe kingdom, but agreed to join the Federal Capital Territory for developmental purposes.