Ninzo people

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

Ninzo

Ninzo troupe at Chong Dovetail in December 2024
Total population
131,000[citation needed]
Regions with significant populations
Nigeria
Languages
Ninzo
Religion
Christianity, Islam, Traditional Religion
Related ethnic groups
Nikyob-Nindem, Mada, Ham, Koro, Atyap, Berom, Jukun

Demographics

There are approximately 131,000 Ninzo people.^{[citation needed]}

The Ninzo people are found in Sanga LGA of southern Kaduna State^[3] and Akwanga LGA of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.^{[citation needed]}

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

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.^[4] The Ninzo Chiefdom headquarters is at Hate (H. Fadan Wate or Fadan Ninzo).^[5]

Language

Main article: Ninzo language

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