[3] Magaria was founded by Massabaki, a prince of the Hausa state of Daura, and later fell under the rule of Zinder.

In the region, its fruits are used to feed people and goats, its leaves are eaten by horses and sheep and its wood is used as firewood.

The town and the surrounding villages initially came under British control at the beginning of the 20th century and were only annexed to France in 1906.

Shortly before Niger's independence from France in 1960, the town was a stronghold of Djibo Bakary's left-wing Sawaba party.

The area around the city is heavily used for agriculture due to the comparatively favourable climatic conditions for Niger.