Located in North-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Kaduna State is one of the 36 states of the in Nigeria with its capital in Kaduna city.
The old Kaduna State was made up of Zaria and Katsina provinces until 1987 when Katsina Province was carved out to form the present Katsina State. So bountifully blessed by nature, it has a rich cultural heritage and very liberal, hospitable and peace loving people.
Kaduna state is the successor to the old Northern Region of Nigeria, which had its capital at Kaduna. In 1967 this was split up into six states, one of which was the North-Central State, whose name was changed to Kaduna State in 1976.
The State was further divided in 1987, losing the area now part of Katsina State. Kaduna derives its name from the Hausa word ‘KADA’ meaning crocodile and ‘Kaduna’ is the Hausa plural word for crocodiles many of which abounded in River Kaduna.
People & Culture
Kaduna State is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic state and the main ethnic groups include Fulani, Hausa, Bajju, Atyap, Jaba, Adara, Gbagyi, Kurama, Ninzo, Ham, Koro, Kagoro, Gwong, Numana, Gure, Kaninkon, Moro’a, Kagoma, Kadara etc. As a culturally diverse people, Kaduna has a rich cultural heritage evidence in her diverse religious practices, cultural festivals, music and dances, cuisines and culinary among others.
The entire land structure of the state consists of an undulating plateau with major rivers in the State including River Kaduna, River Wonderful in Kafanchan, River Kagom, River Gurara and Galma. There are two main seasons in the state which are; the dry windy season and the rainy (wet) seasons.
The wet season is usually from April through October with great variations as you move North-Wards. On the average, the State enjoys a rainy season of about 5 months. There is heavy rainfall in the southern parts of the state like Kafanchan and northern parts like in Zaria with an average rainfall of about 1016mm.
The State extends from the tropical grassland known as Guinea Savannah to the Sudan Savannah in the North. The grassland is a vast region covering the Southern part of the State to about Latitude 1100’’ North of the equator. The prevailing vegetation of tall grass and big trees are of economic importance during both the wet and dry season.