North West · Capital: Kaduna
Kaduna State
Governor: Uba Sani
Population
6,113,503
Land area
46,053 km²
Created
May 27, 1967
Governance
Sen. Uba Sani, CON (born 31 December 1970 in Zaria) has served as Governor of Kaduna State since 2023. A former Senator representing Kaduna Central, he headed the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions and previously served as Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Public Affairs.
History
Kaduna traces to 1917, when the colonial capital of the Northern Provinces moved there under Lord Lugard. It became Kaduna State in 1976, renamed from the North Central State created in 1967. In 1987, its northern half was carved off to form Katsina State. The state is also home to the Nok archaeological site, evidence of one of Africa's earliest known civilisations, dating back roughly 2,500 years. Its official 2006 census population was 6,113,503; more recent unofficial estimates run higher.
Natural Resources
Tin and tantalite
Mined near Kafanchan on the western edge of the Jos Plateau.
Tourism
Home to one of Africa's most significant archaeological sites, alongside colonial-era architecture and the ancient city of Zaria.
- Nok Village archaeological site
- National Museum, Kaduna
- Lugard Hall
- Ancient city of Zaria
Agriculture
A major agricultural collection point in the north, historically trading cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, and hides and skins.
Cotton · Peanuts · Shea nuts · Maize
Investment
One of northern Nigeria's largest industrial centres, historically Nigeria's largest textile-manufacturing hub, with steel, aluminium, cement, and petrochemical industries.
Manufacturing · Textiles · Steel & aluminium · Petrochemicals · Agro-processing
Infrastructure
Education
Ahmadu Bello University (Zaria) · Nigerian Defence Academy · Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic