Sokoto State

Sokoto state is domiciled in the Northwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria and has the city of Sokoto as its capital. Sokoto state has a total nimber of 23 Local Government Areas which include Binji, Bodinga, Dange Shuni, Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Gwadabawa, Illela, Isa, Kebbe, Kware, Rabah, Sabon Birni, Shagari, Silame, Sokoto north, Sokoto south, Tambuwal, Tangaza, Tureta, Wamako, Wurno, and Yabo with an estimated total population of about 3,696,999 inhabitants. Popular towns in sokoto state include Gudu, Yabo, Rabah,  Gwada and Bawa. Islam is the major religion in Sokoto state consisting of the Sunni majority and the Shia minority muslims. Tertiary institutions in Sokoto state include the Sokoto state University, National Open University of Nigeria, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto state Polytechnic, Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, and the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital School of Nursing.

Popular languages spoken in Sokoto state include the Hausa and English languages while popular festivals in the state include the Halbi and the Sharo festivals. Important landmarks in Sokoto state include the Kajuru castle, the Kamuku National park, Goronyo Dam, Sokoto Museum, Tomb of Usman Dan fodio, Shehu Kangiwa square, Waziri Junaid History and Culture Museum, Surame and Akalawa, and the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto. Health facilities found in Sokoto state include the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Murtala Muhammed Specialist hospital, Saraki specialist hospital, Salihu Buhari and Binta Specialist hospital, Hussaini Medical Center, and the Federal Neuropsychiatric hospital kware.

SOKOTO STATE GOVERNOR

The Governor of Sokoto State is Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

SOKOTO STATE SLOGAN

Seat of the Caliphate

GEOGRAPHY OF SOKOTO STATE

Sokoto state resides in the dry Sahel region and has a sandy topography with sparse distribution of hills. Temperatures are quite high at an average of 33 degrees centigrade with annual rainfall at 850 mm.

Humidity in Sokoto state is pegged at 26 percent while the state has a number of rivers which include the Sokoto river and the Gavangulbe river. 

 

ECONOMY OF SOKOTO STATE

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Sokoto state with the cultivation of millet, rice, corn, cereals, and beans.

Fishing and Animal husbandry also provide a source of income for the people of sokoto state while popular markets such as the old market, Kasoa Dankure market, Kasoa Rubber market, Kasoa Ndaji market, Illela border market, Giginya Barracks Mammy market and the Sokoto central market are prominent hubs for trade and commerce.

Mineral Resources found in Sokoto state include Kaolin, Gold, Limestone, Phosphate, Gypsum, silica sand, clay, Laterite, Potash, Flakes, Granite, and salt. 

HISTORY OF SOKOTO STATE

Sokoto state was created in February 1976 from the defunct Northwest state. Referred to as Sakwatto in the local dialect, Sokoto city was the seat of the former sokoto caliphate with the Sultan being the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslim population. Past governors of Sokoto state include

Usman Faruk- 1967-1975

Umaru Mohammed- 1976-1978

Gado Nasko- 1978-1979

Shehu Kangiwa- 1979-1981

Garba Nadama- 1982-1983

Garba Duba- 1984- 1985

Garba Mohammed- 1985-1987

Ahmed Daku- 1987-1990

Bashir Magashi- 1990-1992

Yahaya Abdulkarim- 1992-1993

Yakubu Muazu- 1993-1996

Rasheed Raji- 1996-1998

Rufai Garba- 1998-1999

Attahiru Bafarawa- 1999-2007

Aliyu Wamakko- 2007- 2015

Aminu Tambuwal- 2015-date.