INTRODUCTION

Kaduna State is one of the seven states that make up the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It has interstate boundaries with Niger State to the West, Zamfara, Katsina and Kano states to the North, Bauchi and Plateau States to the East and FCT Abuja and Nasarawa State to the South. The state capital is Kaduna.

LANDMASS, LOCATION AND POPULATION

Kaduna State lies at latitude 10°20′ North and longitude 7°45′ East and covers an area of 46,052 square kilometres. It has a population of 6,113,503 (2006 census) 8,252,366 (2016 forecast) and a population density of 132. The state accounts for 4.3% of Nigeria's total population.

HISTORY AND PEOPLE

The early settlers of Kaduna State were the Atyap (who occupy its southern part) and the Gbari peoples. Archaeological finds show that Kaduna State was home to the ancient Nok civilisation which dates back to 500AD. The state was originally part of the Northern Region in the three-region structure of 1954.
 In 1967, with the creation of twelve federal states by General Yakubu Gowon's military government, it became part of North-Central State. The 1976 military government of General Murtala Muhammed created nineteen states from the existing twelve and North-Central State was renamed Kaduna State.
 In 1987, General Ibrahim Babangida's military government brought the number of states to twenty-one and Kaduna was divided into Kaduna and Katsina States.
The main ethnic groups in the state are the Gbari, Hausa, Kamuku, Kadara and Kurama. The state has fifty-seven languages; of these, Gbari and Hausa are the major ones. Kaduna is divided into two parts: North and South. The northern part is mostly Muslim, while the southern part is Christian. Also a small number of people practise traditional religions in the state.

MAIN TOWNS AND CITIES

Kaduna (capital),Zaria, Kagoro, Kafanchan, Kachia and Zonkwa.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

ADMINISTRATORS AND GOVERNORS

Abba Kyari (Governor - Military): May 1967 - July 1975
Usman Jibrin (Governor - Military): July 1975 - 1977
Muktar Muhammed (Governor - Military): 1977 - July 1978
Ibrahim Mahmud Alfa (Governor - Military): July 1978 - October 1979
Balarabe Musa (Governor - Civilian (People's Redemption Party)): October 1979 - June 1981
Abba Rimi (Governor - Civilian (People's Redemption Party)): July 1981 - October 1983 
Lawal Kaita (Governor - Civilian (National Party of Nigeria)): October 1983 - December 1983
Usman Mu'azu (Governor - Military): January 1984 - August 1985
Abubakar Umar (Governor - Military): August 1985 - June 1988
Abdullahi Mukhtar (Governor - Military):  June 1988 - August 1990
Tanko Ayuba (Governor - Military): August 1990 - January 1992
Mohammed Lere (Governor - Civilian (National Republican Convention)): January 1992 - November 1993
Lawal Isa (Administrator - Military): December 1993 - August 1996
Hammed Ali (Administrator - Military): August 1996 - August 1998
Umar Ahmed (Administrator - Military): August 1998 - May 1999
Ahmed Makarfi (Governor - Civilian (People's Democratic Party)): May 1999 - May 2007
Mohammed Sambo (Governor - Civilian (People's Democratic Party)) May 2007 - May 2010
Patrick Yakowa (Governor - Civilian (People's Democratic Party)): May 2010 - December 2012
Mukhtar Yero (Governor - Civilian (People's Democratic Party)): December 2012 - May 2015
Nasir El-Rufai (Governor- Civilian ( All Progressives Congress)): May 2015 - Present

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION

Kaduna State is entirely woodland savannah. Agriculture and animal husbandry are significant commercial activities in the state. The most important cash crop is cotton. Other crops cultivated are yam, groundnut, tobacco, corn, beans, guinea corn, millet, ginger, rice and cassava. The principal minerals found in the state include clay, serpentine, asbestos, amethyst, kyannite, gold, graphite and graphite. The major industries in Kaduna State are textiles, automobile assembly and petrochemicals. Local pottery is also of commercial importance.

The tertiary institutions in the state are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Kaduna State University, Kaduna; Kaduna Polytechnic, Kafanchan; Federal College of Education, Zaria; Federal College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Kaduna; Federal College of Chemical and Leather and Technology, Zaria; Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka; Federal College of Agriculture, Zaria and Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.

Others are Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria; the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna; the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology; Kaduna; Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, Kafanchan; Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology; Kaduna; College of Nursing and Midwifery,  Kafanchan; City University of Technology, Kaduna and the National Open University of Nigeria.

FAMOUS SITES AND CULTURE
Sites
Nok Village, Nok
 

Nok is small village in Jaba local government area.  The Nok civilization was first discovered in 1928 due to mining operations in the area and derived its name from the ancient settlement that occupied the territory several years before.
This is the spot where first life- sized terracotta carvings were first discovered and is globally acclaimed as the first site of Africa’s civilization.

Kamuku National Park, Birnin Gwari

The park was established as a game reserve in 1936 and later upgraded to a national park.
It covers 1,120 square kilometres and provides a natural habitat for over 100 species of birds and other types of animals including Roan antelopes, elephants, baboons, warthogs and green monkeys.

Kagoro Nindam Forest Reserve, Kagoro

Kagoro Nindam Forest Reserve provides a home to several forest bird species. It is on Kagoro Hill and is made up of four forest areas and communal land. The forest reserve has an elevation of 712 metres.

Culture

Atyap is an important annual festival among the people of Atyap (Kataf) in Southern Kaduna and takes place every December. The festival ushers in the farming season in the community. 
The people of Kagoro organise the Zunzuk dance to thank God for His blessings on the land. Cultural troupes from other states including the Mangil dancers in Plateau State also participate in the event.
The Afan festival on January 1 every year is another cultural activity among the Kagoros. The festival has taken place annually for more than 400 years.
Other cultural activities in Kaduna State include the Batadon festival, Durbar festival and Kalankuwa festival.

NOTABLE INDIGENES

Queen Amina (1533 – 1610)

Balarabe Musa (1936 – 2020)

DID YOU KNOW

Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria is the second largest in Africa behind Cairo University in Egypt.