Katsina State
State of Nigeria From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
State of Nigeria From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Katsina (Hausa: Jihar Katsina جِىهَرْ کَڟِࢽَ; Fula: Leydi Katsina 𞤤𞤫𞤴𞤣𞤭 𞤳𞤢𞥁𞤭𞤲𞤢) is a state in the northwestern geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It is bordered to the west by Zamfara State, to the east by Kano and Jigawa states, and to the south by Kaduna State, while its northern border forms part of the national border with Niger. The state capital is the city of Katsina, and the state is divided into 34 local government areas. The state is nicknamed the "Home of Hospitality".[4]
Katsina | |
---|---|
Nicknames: | |
Coordinates: 12°15′N 7°30′E | |
Country | Nigeria |
Date created | 23 September 1987 |
Capital | Katsina |
Government | |
• Body | Government of Katsina State |
• Governor (List) | Dikko Umar Radda (APC) |
• Deputy Governor | Farouk Lawal Jobe (APC) |
• Legislature | Katsina State House of Assembly |
• Senators | C: Abdulaziz Yaradua (APC) N: Nasir Zangon-Daura (APC) S: Muntari Dandutse (APC) |
• Representatives | List |
Area | |
• Total | 24,192 km2 (9,341 sq mi) |
• Rank | 17th of 36 |
Population (2006 census) | |
• Total | 5,801,584 |
10,368,500 | |
• Rank | 3rd of 36 |
• Density | 240/km2 (620/sq mi) |
GDP (PPP) | |
• Year | 2021 |
• Total | $21.47 billion[2] |
• Per capita | $2,359[2] |
Time zone | UTC+01 (WAT) |
postal code | 820001 |
ISO 3166 code | NG-KT |
HDI (2022) | 0.431[3] low · 32th of 37 |
Website | Official website |
With an estimated popultion of 9.3 million residents as of 2023, Katsina State is the third most populous state in the country, despite the fact that it only ranks 17th out of 36 states in terms of area. Geographically, Katsina is primarily located within the West Sudanian savanna, although parts of the state in the north transition into the semi-desert Sahelian savanna. Major rivers in the state include the Bunsuru, Gada, and Sokoto rivers, which provide water for agriculture and settlements.
Demographically, the Hausa people are the largest ethnic group in the state with minorities of Fulani and non-indigene groups.[5] In terms of religion, Islam (79%) is the most practised faith with minorities of adherents of Christianity (20%) and traditionalist religions (~1%), particularly Maguzawa groups.[6]
In the pre-colonial period, much of Katsina State was part of the Hausa Bakwai states, with the cities of Daura and Katsina emerging as a major centers of trade and Islamic learning during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In the early nineteenth century, the Fulani jihad led to the establishment of Daura and Katsina as emirates within the Sokoto Caliphate. During the British colonial era, Katsina was incorporated into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate which later merged into British Nigeria. Upon Nigeria's independence in 1960, Katsina was part of the Northern Region until the region was divided in 1967, and it became part of the North-Central State (later renamed Kaduna State). In 1987, Katsina State was created from the northern portion of Kaduna State. Since the mid-2010s, Katsina has been one of the Nigerian states hit hardest by local banditry and terrorism.[7] In 2020, over 300 children were kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram in the town of Kankara.[8][9]
Economically, Katsina State is largely reliant on agriculture, with key crops including millet, sorghum, maize, rice, groundnuts, and cotton. Livestock farming and herding is also significant, with cattle, goats, and sheep widely reared. Katsina has the fourth lowest Human Development Index and ranks in the mid-range of GDPs in the country.[10]
Hausa are the largest ethnic group in the state [11]
The state is predominantly Muslim and the Gobarau Minaret is an important building therein. Sharia is valid in the entire state but mainly for the Muslims.[12][13][clarification needed] The Church of Nigeria has a Diocese of Katsina.[14] The Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Roman Catholic Church and many other churches are present in the state.[15][16]
Katsina State is about 23,938 square kilometres (9,243 sq mi). It is situated between latitude 11°07'49" and 13°22' 57" N and longitude 6°52'03" E and 9°9'02" E.[17][clarification needed] The state is located in the tropical grassland known as savannah and has two major seasons which are the rainy season and the dry season.[18]
Katsina has a tropical steppe climate, bordering on a tropical savanna climate. The city's yearly temperature is 30.89 °C (87.6 °F) and it is 1.43% higher than Nigeria's averages. Katsina typically receives about 791.61 millimeters of precipitation and has 54.63 rainy days (14.97% of the time) annually.[19]
Katsina State comprises 34 local government areas:
Katsina State is a centre of both formal and informal education. Umaru Musa Yar'adua University[20] is a public university owned by the state government. Al-Qalam University, the first Islamic university in Nigeria is privately owned. Federal University, Dutsin-Ma[21] and Federal University of Transportation, Daura are owned by the federal government as well as Federal College of Education, Katsina[22] (affiliated to Bayero University Kano[23]). National Open University of Nigeria, Isa Kaita College of Education Dutsinma (affiliated to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria), a state-owned college of education. Cherish Institute Batsari is a privately owned university awarding degrees in health courses.[24]
Katsina State is serviced by the Katsina Airport which has regular services to Abuja and Lagos.
The state government is led by a democratically elected governor who works closely with members of the state's House of Assembly. The capital city of the state is Katsina.[53]
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.