SUMMARY

The Gwandere, also known as Gwandara or Gwandari, is a small ethnic group in the Nigerian Middle Belt, primarily concentrated in Nasarawa state. The Gwandere language is related to Hausa, and around one-third of the members of the group are Muslim, with traditional religions and Christianity making up the remainder. Updated and reliable sources on the exact number of people identifying themselves as Gwandere are not readily available, but estimates seems to fall under 50 000.

In the 2011 elections, a member of the Gwandere group, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, was elected governor of Nasarawa state. He was subsequently re-elected in the 2015 elections. Controversy regarding his bid for a second term and an impeachment notice filed against him in 2014 contributed to the violence between the Gwandere and the Eggon during that year.

The Gwandere has been involved in the non-state categoriy of UCDP organised violence.