Gbagyi people

The Gbagyi or Gbari (plural - Agbagyi/Agbari) are an ethnic group found predominantly in Central Nigeria with an estimated population of 12 million spread in four states, including Abuja, and located in thirty local government areas. It is also the name of their language. Members of this ethnic group speak two dialects. While speakers of the dialects were loosely called Gwari by both the Hausa and the Fulani, as well as by Europeans during pre-colonial Nigeria, they prefer to be known as Gbagyi/Gbari. They live in Niger State, the Federal Capital Territory - Abuja, and Kaduna State. They are also found in Nasarawa State, central Nigeria Area. Gbagyi/Gbari is one of the most populous ethnic groups in the middle belt and indigenous to the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. This means Gbagyi people are among the bonafide owners of the Nigerian capital city, Abuja.