Kaduna State

Kaduna state belongs to the NorthWest geopolitical zone of Nigeria and has its capital in Kaduna town. The state is bordered by Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states and is home to prominent towns such as Zaria, Kafanchan and Nok. Kaduna boasts a total of 23 LGAS which include Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Ikara, Jaba, Jema'a, Kachia, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Kagarko, Kajuru, Kaura, Kauru, Kubau, Kudan, Lere, Makargi, Sabon Gari, Sanga, Soba, Zangon Kataf and Zaria LGAs with a population of about 6, 066, 562 inhabitants. Tertiary Institutions found in Kaduna state include the Nigerian Defence Academy, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic Zaria, Kaduna state University, Federal Polytechnic Kaduna, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria, College of Education Gidan Waya, Shehu Idris College of Health Science and Technology Makarfi, College of Nursing Kafanchan and the Federal College of Education Zaria.

The dominant ethnic groups in Kaduna state include the Hausa, Fulani, Adara, Akurmi, Atyab, Bajjua, Binawa, Gbagyi, Gwandara, Ham, Kigono, Mada, Shemawa, Tsam, Siyawa and Bakulu. Islam and Christianity are the most widely practiced religions while popular landmarks in the state include the Kamuku National Park, Matsinga waterfalls, Kajuru castle, Kagoro hills, Ancient Nok settlement, Kaduna National Museum, Fifth Chukker Polo Resort, and the Kofar Gamji Park. A number of colourful festivals are held in Kaduna state and these include the Afan, Atyap Cultural, Ninzo cultural, Durbar, Batadom, Tuk-Itam, Kalankuwa cultural, Zunzuk dance, Moro'a cultural and Unum - akulu festivals.

KADUNA STATE GOVERNOR

The Governor of Kaduna State is Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai.

KADUNA STATE SLOGAN

Center of Learning

GEOGRAPHY OF KADUNA STATE

Kaduna State has a total area of 46,053km squared with a Sudan Savannah vegetation and features scattered dimunitive trees, grasses and shrubs with the soil types ranging mjorly from loamy to the sandy types with an appreciable amount of clay also found.

The topography of Kadun state consists of high plains with annual rainfall  pegged at about  1350 mm  with temperatures averaging 31 degrees centigrade.

ECONOMY OF KADUNA STATE

Agriculture is the major economic engagement in Kaduna state with the cultivation of crops such as groundnut, rice, sorghum and millet. A number of mineral deposits such as Nickel, gold, Asbestos, Graphite, Kaolin, Clay, Kyanite, Serpentinite, Amethyst, Mica, Gemstone, Topaz, Tentalime, and Ruby are  also found in Kaduna state. 

Also the grazing of cattle and other forms of Animal husbandry is widely practiced in Kaduna state especially by its Fulani population.Trade also blossoms in Kaduna state with the state hosting several markets where a plethora of commodities are bought and sold. These markets include the Sabongari Zaria main market, Sabon Tasha, Anwan Dosa, Tudun Wada, Panteka, Kasuwan Barci, Kasuwa gold market, Kaduna central market, Sheikh Gumi market, and the Kakuri market.    

HISTORY OF KADUNA STATE

Kaduna State was created in 1967 and the name Kaduna means crocodile in Hausa language. Kaduna state was also the capital of the then Northern region from 1916.

Past governors/ administrators of Kaduna state include

Abba Kyari - 1967-1975

Usman Jibrin - 1975-1977

Muktar Muhammed- 1977-1978

Ibrahim Mahmud Alfa- 1978-1979

Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa- 1979-1981

Abba Musa Rimi- 1981-1983

Lawal Kaita - October 1983- December 1983

Usman Muazu - 1984-1985

Dangiwa Umar- 1985-1988

Abdullahi Sarki Mukhtar- 1988-1990#

Abubakar Tanko Ayuba- 1990-1992

Mohammed Dabo Lere- 1992-1993

Lawal Jafaru Isa- 1993-1996

Hammed Ali- 1996- `998

Umar Farouk Ahmed - 1998-1999

Ahmed Makarfi- 1999- 2007

Mohammed Namadi Sambo- 2007-2010

Ibrahim Yakowa- 2010- 202

Mukhtar Ramalan Yero- 2012-2015

Nasiru El- Rufai- 2015 to date.