Ninzo people (also Gbhu and Ninzam^[1][2]), are an ethnic group in the Middle Belt who speak the Ninzo language, a western Plateau language of Nigeria.^[3] The speakers of the Sambe language, a now presumed extinct language spoken in a village with same name have now incorporated with the Ninzo.^[4]

Demographics

Distribution

The Ninzo people are found in Sanga LGA of southern Kaduna State^[5] and Akwanga LGA of Nasarawa State, Nigeria^[1]

Population

An estimation placed the population of the Ninzo people at around 131,000.^[1]

Religion

About 64% of the Ninzo are Christian, 31% Muslim and 5% adherents of Traditional religion.^[1]

Politics

The Ninzo people are traditionally governed by rulers called the Uchu Ninzo. The Uchu Ninzo, a Second Class Chief, as of 2018 is Uchu (Alh.) Umar Musa.^[6] The Ninzo Chiefdom headquarters is at Hate (H. Fadan Wate or Fadan Ninzo).^[7]

Language

The Ninzo people speak a Ninzic language, belonging to the western Plateau group of languages.

References