North West
Sokoto State
Capital: Sokoto · Created 1976 · ≈5.9 million · Area 25,973 km²
Population
≈5.9 million
Size
25,973 km²
Capital
Sokoto
Year created
1976
Geopolitical zone
North West
Languages
Hausa · Fulfulde · English · Zabarma
Ethnic groups
- Hausa-Fulani (majority)
- Zabarma
Natural resources
- Limestone (biggest cement plant in W. Africa)
- Kaolin
- Gypsum
- Phosphate
- Gold
Signature foods
- Tuwo shinkafa
- Kilishi
- Fura da nono
- Suya
- Masa
Notable people
- Sir Ahmadu Bello (Sardauna of Sokoto)
- Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III (spiritual head of Nigerian Muslims)
- Aliyu Wamakko (former governor)
- Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (former governor)
- Ahmed Aliyu (governor)
Culture, values & festivals
- Sokoto Caliphate (1804-1903) — Usman dan Fodio's jihad state
- Sultan of Sokoto — spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims
- Sallah Durbar
- Islamic scholarship and manuscript traditions
Top places to visit in Sokoto
- 1
Sultan's Palace, Sokoto
Working palace of the Sultan — Nigeria's highest Muslim authority.
- 2
Usman dan Fodio Mausoleum (Hubbaren Shehu)
Tomb of the Caliphate founder — pilgrimage site.
- 3
Sultan Bello Mosque
Historic 19th-century mosque.
- 4
Kalambaina Cement Plant tours
Industrial-heritage tours available on request.
- 5
Goronyo Dam
Reservoir with fisheries and irrigation.
About the North West
Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa. Hausa-Fulani heartland; Africa's largest inland cities.