Katsina state is one of the Northern states in Nigeria. Here are facts about Katsina state.
Katsina is a state in North-Western Nigeria. Its postal code is 820. As of 2019, Katsina state is 32 years.
General Gbadamasi Babangida created Katsina state on September 23, 1987, out of the former Kaduna State.
It is bordered to the north by the Republic of Niger, to the east by Jigawa and Kano, to the west by Zamfara and to the south by Kaduna.
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The first Governor of the state was Administrator Joseph Akaagerger who took office in August 1998.
As of 2006, the population of Katsina was 5,801,584. It was the 4th most populous state in Nigeria.
Katsina is the 17th largest state in Nigeria in regards to the total area with 24,971 square kilometers.
Katsina city is the capital and most populous city in Katsina. It is one of the Seven True Hausa States which was founded in the 10th or 11th centuries. The nickname for the city is Katsina Town (KT).
Katsina has 2 major cities/towns.
The current Emir of Katsina is Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman.
Katsina state consists of 34 local government areas.
Katsina state is known as the “Home of Hospitality” as a result of the courtesy and politeness of the residents of the state.
The system of “Sarauta” was birthed and started in Katsina. Sarauta is a title giving to a man or woman in Hausa land for serving the community in a good way and it varies from rank to rank.
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The religion of Islam entered Hausaland through Katsina. This was due to the coming of the Wangarawa Dyula scholars and merchants in the 14th century into the state.
The famous “Kusugu Well” according to history is where a giant snake that was disturbing the people of Daura from fetching water resides and was also killed by Bayajidda during the reign of Queen Daurama.
Katsina Teachers College that was built in 1923 was the first higher learning institution established in Northern Nigeria.
The Gobarau Minaret, a 50ft tower is the first multi-story building in West Africa. The building was first used as a central mosque before it was later used as a school.
Common traditional hairstyles that can be found in the state include Tashin Soja, Surkulle, Lallabi, Kwanciya da Masoyi, Doka, Ayaba da Wuk, and Tukkaye among others.
The Gidan Korau meaning House of Korau is the Katsina Royal Palace located in Katsina city, showcasing the history, culture, and traditions of Katsina. The palace was built in 1348 AD by Muhammadu Korau, supposedly the first Muslim King of Katsina. The palace has two main gates and built with materials like mud, rafters, iron windows and doors, conical clay bricks, sun-dried clay bricks, colorants, and red soil.
The Daura Emir Palace is also located in the capital city and built with rafters and sun-baked clay.
There are two major tribes in the state: Hausas and Fulanis and the languages spoken are Hausa and Fufulde.
One interesting fact about Katsina State is that Katsina Airport is the only airport in the state and it is located in the state capital. It is also known as Umaru Musa Yar’Adua airport.
The Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Al-Qalam University, and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University are the top 3 known universities.
The Bankaura Troupe is a famous group of expert dancers and entertainers that can be found in Katsina.
Daura town, one of the local government areas in the state is the spiritual home of the Hausas.
There are only 4 radio stations owned by Katsina and they are 972 MW – Katsina State Radio, Vision FM katsina, Radio Nigeria Companion FM Katsina, and Ray Power FM Katsina.
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Katsina state is known for producing groundnuts, guinea corn, millets, hides, cotton among other agricultural products.
The Katsina State House of Assembly is situated in Ring Riad, Katsina.
The Katsina Barracks, one of the army barracks of Nigeria which is made up of 35 battalions is situated along Jiba road, Katsina.
The state is blessed with many natural resources. Natural and mineral resources that can be found in the state are salt, diamonds, graphite, silica sands, asbestos, marble, quartz, potash, nickel, kaolin, and others.
The richest man in Katsina is Umaru Mutallab, former Chairman of the First Bank of Nigeria.
The state has 34 dams to boast of. There are 3 major dams in Katsina which are Zobe Dam in Garhi village of Dutsinma local government, Jibiya Dam, and Sabke Dam in Maiadua local government. Other dams in the state include Ajiwa Dam, Maska Earth Dam in Funtua local government, Kankia Dam, and Jare Earth Dam in Bakori local government, Jachi Dam, and Daberam Dam among others.
The state has been hit by two earthquakes; the first in Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s hometown in 2018, and the second earthquake were in 2019 in Kurfi local government.
National Katsina Museum established in 1921 is a museum that displays the various archaeology artifacts and natural history of the Northern states of Nigeria. One of the archaeological artifacts that can be found in the museum is the Durbi Takushey (tombs of the chief priest), grinding stones, pottery, golden earrings and so on which were historical pieces from 13th to 16th Century AD and were moved out of Katsina to museums in Kano and Jos before being brought back to its original place.