Kaduna (, جىِهَر كَدُنا; مدينة كدونا; , ; ) is a state in the northwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The state capital is its namesake, the city of Kaduna, which was the 8th largest city in the country as of 2006. Created in 1967 as North-Central State, which also encompassed the modern Katsina State, Kaduna State achieved its current borders in 1987. Kaduna State is the fourth largest and third most populous state in the country, Kaduna State is nicknamed the Centre of Learning, owing to the presence of numerous educational institutions of importance within the state such as Ahmadu Bello University, Nigerian Defence Academy, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna Polytechnic, etc.
Modern Kaduna State is home to the sites of some of Africa's oldest civilizations, including the Nok civilization that prospered from to .Breunig, Peter. 2014. Nok: African Sculpture in Archaeological Context: p. 21.Fagg, Bernard. 1969. Recent work in west Africa: New light on the Nok culture. World Archaeology 1(1): 41–50. In the 9th century, geographer and historian Ya'qubi documented the existence of the Hausa Kingdoms, which existed until the region was incorporated into the Sokoto Caliphate in the early 1800s. During the colonial era, the city of Kaduna was made the capital of Northern Nigeria Protectorate by British leadership.
The state economy is dependent on agriculture, especially cotton and groundnut production. In the modern era, Kaduna State has been the site of violent ethnic and religious conflict, with the 2002 Miss World riots in the state capital over purported blasphemy leading to around 250 deaths and the loss of homes for around 30,000.
Etymology The most widespread etymology for the word Kaduna is that it is a corruption of the Hausa plural for crocodile, , as there used to be many crocodiles in the Kaduna River.
Another version of the etymology of the name is a narrative linked to the Gbagyi word/name 'Odna' for the Kaduna River.
History Zazzau, a traditional state which lies within the province's capital, is said to have been founded in 1536. It would later be renamed to Zaria after the younger sister of Queen Amina. The Hausa people of Zaria & the Ham people of Jaba, are said to be the old ancestral of the region's north & south respectively.
It is indicative that the name, Kaduna, was taken up by Lord Frederick Lugard and his colonial colleagues when they moved the capital of the then Northern Region from Zungeru to Kaduna City in 1916. This move of the colonial office to Kaduna city started in 1912–1918/20, with the initial effort having been made in 1902 from Jebba to Zungeru.
At the start of British colonial rule in northern Nigeria, the people groups who lived in the area became 'Northern Nigerians'- a construct which continues even today. By 1967 these people groups were again carved into 'North Central State'; this was the case until 1975 when 'Kaduna State' was formerly created by the then military leader, Gen. Murtala Mohammed, with all distinct identities amalgamated into one state without a referendum. The state hence is the successor of the old Northern Region of Nigeria, which had its capital at Kaduna which is now the state capital of about 6.3 million people (Nigerian census figure, 2006).
In 1967, the old Northern Region was divided into six states in the north, leaving Kaduna as the capital of North-Central State, whose name was changed to Kaduna State in 1976. Meanwhile, Kaduna State was further divided in 1987, creating Katsina State. Under the governance of Kaduna are the ancient cities of Zaria, Kafanchan, and Nok. The most intriguing aspect of this area is that the colonial construction and its post-colonial successor called 'Nigeria' hardly documented the history or the method of how Kaduna State's people groups encompassed in these constructs define and identify themselves. As such, the people groups who populate the area have lived in near oblivion or obscurity as they are often thought of as Hausa people. In 2019 Kaduna State celebrated its 100th anniversary, making it one of the oldest states in Nigeria.
In 2021, Kaduna State was the site of several major attacks done by bandits involved in the Nigerian bandit conflict. On 24 February, at least 34 were killed in attacks in Kaduna and neighboring Katsina state. On 11 March, 39 students were kidnapped when gunmen attacked the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization. On 20 April, in another raid by bandits on Greenfield University students and staff, 22 were kidnapped and 6 of them were killed. On 5 July, a further 140 students were kidnapped from Bethel Baptist High School. Attacks have continued into 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Geography The state is located in the Northern part of Nigeria's high plains. The vegetation cover is Sudan Savannah type, characterized by scattered short trees, shrubs and grasses. The soil is mostly loamy to sandy. A substantial amount of clay is found also.
Its northern half became Katsina state in 1987. The state is bordered by seven states: Zamfara for 117 km (73 miles) and Katsina for 161 km (100 miles) to the north, Kano to the north-east for 255 km, Bauchi and Plateau to the east, Nasarawa and Abuja Federal Capital Territory (for 45 km) to the south, and Niger to the west. Kaduna state is located between latitude 10°38'58" N and 10°25'36" N and to longitude 7°22'14" E and 7°32'00" E.
The state was ranked number four by the total area of land and number three by population.
The Kaduna River, a tributary of the Niger River, flows through the state. There are rocky stones in Zaria and Kogoro Hill. Many communities are prone to seasonal flooding during the rainy season.
Climate
The rainy season in Kaduna is hot, humid, and cloudy, while the dry season is hot and partly cloudy. Throughout the year, the temperature rarely falls below 50 °F or rises above 102 °F, usually ranging between 55 °F and 95 °F.
Government The current governor of Kaduna State is legally under the control of Kaduna State Executives, Kaduna State House of Assembly and Kaduna State Judiciary. The current elected governor of the state is Senator Uba Sani and his deputy is Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe. In the state there 14 ministries that operate with the state government to improve the state: Ministries of Kaduna State. Within each Ministry, there are multiple agencies with regulatory authority, such as the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority which oversees waste, water, and other environmental quality issues.
Local government areas
Kaduna State consists of 23 local government areas. They are:
+s/nLocal government areaZoneTotal areakm2 (sq mi)Political chairmanPopulation density/km2 (/sq mi)1Birnin Gwari CHon Salisu Isah2Chikun C4,466 (1,724)Engr. Salasi Nuhu Musa3Giwa CHon. Ahmad Sama’ila4Igabi CHon Sani Abdul5Ikara NHon Bashir Mamman Dogon-Koli6Jaba SHon. Larai Sylvia Ishaku7Jema'a SHon. Peter Tanko Dogara8Kachia SHon. Manzo Daniel Maigari9Kaduna North CHon. Muhammad Gambo10Kaduna South C46.2 (17.8)Hon. Rayyan Hussein 11,799 (30,560)11Kagarko S2,356 (910)Hon. Muhuyiddeen Abdullahi Umar12Kajuru CHon. Dauda Madaki13Kaura SHon. Sankyai Obadiah Sanko14Kauru SDr. Bashir Yanko Dawaki15Kubau NHon. Musa Saleh16Kudan NHon. Dauda Iliya Hunkuyi17Lere NJafaru Ahmed18Makarfi NHon Muhammad Garba 19Sabon Gari NHon. Muhammad Abubakar20Sanga SHon. Anto Usman21Soba NHon. Muhammad Lawal Shehu22Zangon Kataf SHon. Bege Gaiya Joseph23Zaria NHon. Jamil Ahmad Muhammad
Economics The Kaduna State economy was ranked 15th largest state in the Nigerian economy from 2002 to 2008, and it made up 3.3% of Nigerian GDP. While agriculture contributed 30% of SGDP in Kaduna. Kaduna state cultivate cotton and peanuts (groundnuts) for exporting and domestic extraction of Peanut oil. In the state, there is the National Institute of Leather and Technology, to improve modern technology and traditional method.
Services
Water Kaduna State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency was created by the state government to supply clean water to the rural parts of Kaduna State. It was created to address the need for clean water in rural areas of Kaduna State. Having being in existence for over 15 years, RUWASSA has always maintained its commitment of providing a clean water supply to the 23 local governments of the state. RUWASSA also encourages and welcomes partnerships from various local communities, traditional leaders, public and private sectors, NGOs, etc., to ensure that each project meets the specific needs of the host community. With an about 85% project success rate, RUWASSA has continued to demonstrate excellence in its projects, thereby delivering jobs with accountability and transparency. Also, it has about 1,200 water points with 24/7support availability.
Media In Kaduna State, there are many means of communication through mass media, broadcasting, internet communication and banking transactions. In Kaduna State, there are 21 radio stations and more than 4 television stations broadcasting. Many of them are owned by the state government or federal government, and a few are private. The following is a list of radio stations in Kaduna:
+s/nName (AM)FrequencyMotto1Brila FM88.92Kada 2 FM, Kaduna (KSMC)89.93Rockside FM, Kafanchan (KSMC)89.94Capital Sounds FM, Kaduna (KSMC)90.95Liberty Radio (English) Kaduna91.76Karama FM, Kaduna (FRCN)92.1Tumbin giwa7Freedom Radio FM, Kaduna92.98Vision FM Kaduna92.59FCE Zaria FM93.710Queen FM, Zaria (KSMC)94.111Supreme FM, Kaduna (FRCN)96.112Alheri Radio FM, Kaduna97.713ASU FM (Kaduna State University Radio)98.514Invicta FM, Kaduna98.915Human Right Radio Kaduna99.916BU Samaru FM, Zaria101.117Teachers Radio (Nigeria Institute of Teachers, NTI)102.518Spider FM (Kaduna Polytechnic Radio)102.719Liberty Radio (Hausa) Kaduna103.1Tashar Yanci20Ray Power FM Kaduna106.521Demographics106.5
Ethnic groups Kaduna State is populated by about 59 to 63 different ethnic groups, if not more, with the exactitude of the number requiring further verification through fieldwork.Hayab, 2014. The question as in the last paragraph with the Hausa and Fulani as the dominant ethnic groups followed by at least 60 others. These groups include:
+S/NEthnic groupOriginArea1Abinu (dubbed Binawa)2Ada (dubbed Kuturmi)3Adara (dubbed Kadara)4Agbiri (dubbed Gure)5Akurmi (labelled Kurama by the Hausa)6Anghan (dubbed Kamanton by the Hausa)7Amap (dubbed Amo by the Hausa)8Aniragu (dubbed Kahugu)9Aruruma10Asholio (dubbed Moro'a)11Atachaat (dubbed Kachechere)12Atuku13Atyap (dubbed Kataf by the Hausa)14Ayu15Bajju (dubbed Kaje by the Hausa)16Bakulu (Ikulu by the Hausa)17Bhazar (named Koro)18Bur (Sanga)19Dingi20Fantswam (dubbed Kafanchan)21Fulani22Gbagyi-Gbari (Gwari in Hausa)Southern Kaduna23Gwandara24Gwong (Kagoma in Hausa)25Ham (dubbed Jaba in Hausa, which is a derogatory name)26Hausa27Ikulu28Janji (dubbed Gwari by the Hausa)29Kaivi (dubbed Kaibi)30Kanufi31Kanuri32Kigono33Kinugu34Kitimi35Kiwafa36Kiwollo37Koro38Kubvori (dubbed Surubu)39Mada (Mardan) Mada must have migrated during colonial rule40MarghiBorno41Nandu42Nduyah43Numana44Nindem45Ningeshe46Nikyop47Ninzo48Nyenkpa (Yeskwa)49Oegworok (dubbed Kagoro)50Pikal51Pitti52Ribang53Rishuwa54Rumada55Ruruma56Rumayya57Shemawa 58Zaar (dubbed Siyawa; Bauchi state?)59Takad (dubbed Attakar)60Tarri61Atsam (dubbed Chawai)
Religion The main religions in Kaduna State are Islam and Christianity while some minority ethnic groups practice traditional worshipping, mostly in the southern area of the state. The people of Kaduna are very religious, causing two religious crises in 2001 and 2002, the Miss World riots.
Languages LGA Languages Birnin Gwari Hausa, Fulani Acipa, Eastern; Gbagyi; Kamuku; Rogo; Shama-Sambuga Chikun Hausa language , Gbagyi, Hausa Giwa Hausa; Fulani Igabi Hausa;