One of the 36 states of Nigeria. After gaining independence in 1960, three regions were established in the country, each of which was dominated by one of the three main ethnic groups - Yoruba (West), Igbo (East), Hausa / Fulani (North). This configuration gave rise to conflicts, and to mitigate them, several waves of political and administrative reforms were carried out. As a consequence, each of the three main groups was divided into several states, while in some territories states were created for ethnic minorities.
Taraba was established in 1991 as a result of the division of the multi-ethnic state of Gongola into Adamawa and Taraba. It is located in the western part of Nigeria on the border with Cameroon. Unlike Adamawa that was founded on the ethnic grounds, Taraba remained a multiethnic region that is no ethnic group constitutes majority in the province.
In general, the state has more than 80 ethnic groups the largest being mumuye, jukun, tiv, and hausa. They differ significantly regarding language and religion. Approximately 65% of the population of Adamawa profess Christianity, and 35% are Muslims, which gives rise to serious conflicts between the adherents of the two religions. The terrorist group "Boko Haram" (West African Province of the Islamic State) is active in the region. Besides, problems in interethnic relations are caused by the struggle for the use of land resources, especially between the ethnic groups of Djukun and Tiv.