Katsina State (Hausa: Jihar Katsina) (Fula: Leydi Katsina 𞤤𞤫𞤴𞤣𞤭 𞤳𞤢𞥁𞤭𞤲𞤢) is a state in the northwestern geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Katsina State was created in 1987, when it split from Kaduna State. Today, Katsina State borders Kaduna, Zamfara, Kano, and Jigawa States. Nicknamed the "Home of Hospitality", both the state capital and the town of Daura have been described "ancient seats of Islamic culture and learning" in Nigeria.[4]
Katsina State | |
---|---|
State | |
| |
Nicknames: Home of Hospitality | |
Coordinates: 12°15′N 7°30′E | |
Country | Nigeria |
Date created | 23 September 1987 |
Capital | Katsina |
Government | |
• Body | Government of Katsina State |
• Governor (List) | Aminu Bello Masari (APC) |
• Deputy Governor | Mannir Yakubu (APC) |
• Legislature | Katsina State House of Assembly |
• Senators | C: Kabir Barkiya (APC) N: Ahmad Babba Kaita (PDP) S: Bello Mandiya (APC) |
• Representatives | List |
Area | |
• Total | 24,192 km2 (9,341 sq mi) |
• Rank | 17th of 36 |
Population (2006 census) | |
• Total | 5,801,584[1] |
• Rank | 5th of 36 |
GDP (PPP) | |
• Year | 2007 |
• Total | $6.02 billion[2] |
• Per capita | $1,017[2] |
Time zone | UTC+01 (WAT) |
postal code | 820001 |
ISO 3166 code | NG-KT |
HDI (2018) | 0.454[3] low · 30th of 37 |
Website | Official website |
With over 5,800,000 residents as at 2006, Katsina State is the fifth largest state in the country by population, despite the fact that it only ranks 17th out of 36 states in terms of area. Demographically, the Hausa people are the largest ethnic group in the state, and Islam is the most practiced religion.[5] In 2005, Katsina became the fifth state in Nigeria to adopt Sharia law.[6][7]
The current Governor of Katsina State is Aminu Bello Masari, a member of the All Progressives Congress and ally of President Muhammadu Buhari.[8] The state is considered a political stronghold of Buhari, a native of Daura, who won the state in the 2019 presidential election with almost 80% of the vote.[9]
In recent years, Katsina has been one of the Nigerian states hit hardest by terrorism.[10] In 2020, over 300 children were kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram in the town of Kankara.[11][12]
Hausa are the largest ethnic group in the state [5]
The state is predominantly Muslim where the Gobarau Minaret is an important building therein. Sharia is valid in the entire state but meanly for the muslims.[13][14][clarification needed] The Church of Nigeria has a Diocese of Katsina.[15] The Redeemed Christian Church of God and the Roman Catholic Church are fairly present in the state.[16][failed verification][17]
Katsina State comprises 34 local government areas:
Katsina State is a centre of both formal and informal education. Umaru Musa Yar'adua University[18] 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[19] is owned by the federal government as well as Federal College of Education, Katsina[20] (affiliated to Bayero University Kano[21]). 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, a privately owned university awarding degree in health courses.[22]
In spite of measures taken by the state government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 into the state, on 7 April 2020, a doctor in Daura local government area died of cases related to Coronavirus and his family members were tested positive.[23] Later, one of the doctor's patients also died. To contain the spread of the virus, state government ordered lockdown in the state and dispatched police to ensure obedience of the law. However, there have been cases of violating the order and people accused the government for locking down worshiping grounds such as churches and Juma'ah mosques while major markets such as Yar Kutungu, Himata, Greenhouse, Mudassir etc were operating. There was a clash between police and youths in Kusada local government area resulting to death and arrests of civilians.[24]
Katsina State is about 23,938 square kilometres (9,243 sq mi). It is situated on latitude between 110° 07' 49N' 130 2257" and Longitude 6052'03East and 990 02' East.[clarification needed] The state is from the tropical grassland known as savannah to the north and the state has two major seasons which are the rainy season and dry season.[25]
| ||
---|---|---|
State capital: Katsina | ||
Local Government Areas |
Governors of Katsina state | |
---|---|
|
States of Nigeria | |
---|---|
Federal Capital Territory | |
Nigeria portal |