Birnin Kebbi is a city located in northwestern Nigeria. It serves as the capital city of Kebbi State and functions as the headquarters of the Gwandu Emirate. As of 2007, the city had an estimated population of 125,594 people.
The region is predominantly inhabited by Hausa and Fulani people, with Islam being the major religion. Historically, Birnin Kebbi was the capital of the Kebbi Emirate until it was burned during the Fulani jihad in 1805. Although political importance shifted to nearby towns like Gwandu and Jega following the conquest by Gwandu in 1831, Birnin Kebbi was eventually inaugurated as the headquarters of the Gwandu emirate in 1906.
The city officially became the capital of the newly created Nigerian state of Kebbi in 1991. It remains a significant administrative center within the northwestern region of the country.