Houses in Billiri, Gombe

Gombe state is a northeastern state in Nigeria. It is usually called Gombe state to differentiate from its capital which is also known as Gombe. It was created out of Bauchi State on 1st October 1996 during the late General Sanni Abacha's regime.

Gombe State is called the 'Jewel in the Savannah'. It has an area of 20,265 km2 and a population of around 1.8 million. The state shares common borders with the following states: Yobe to the North, Adamawa and Taraba to the South, Borno to the East and Bauchi to the west.

The state comprises of many tribal groups which include: Tangale, Terawa, Waja, Kumo, Fulani, Kanuri, Bolewa, Jukun, Pero/Shonge, Tula, Cham, Lunguda, Dadiya, Banbuka, Hausa and Kamo/Awak. Hausa is the commercial language amidst the people.