Kwara (Yoruba: Ìpínlẹ̀ Kwárà) is a state in Western Nigeria, bordered to the east by Kogi State, to the north by Niger State, and to the south by Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo states. Its western border forms part of the international border with Benin.
Its capital is Ilorin, and the state has 16 Local Government Areas.
Overview
- Area ranking: 9th largest of Nigeria’s 36 states.
- Population ranking: 6th least populous (about 3.2 million as of 2016).
- Geography:
- East: West Sudanian savanna
- Rest: Guinean forest–savanna mosaic ecoregion
- Key rivers: Niger, Awun, Asa, Aluko, Oyun
- Protected areas:
- Borgu section of Kainji National Park (grey heron, kob, hippopotamus, elephant, baboon, roan antelope, West African lions)
- Old Oyo National Park (crowned eagle, martial eagle, African buffalo, oribi, patas monkey)
Ethnic Groups
- Majority: Yoruba
- Minorities: Nupe (northeast), Bariba/Baatonu and Busa/Bokobaru (west), Fulani (Ilorin & nomadic herders)
History
- Pre-colonial:
- Mostly part of Oyo Empire
- Western portions in Borgu Kingdoms and Nupe Kingdom (1531–1835)
- Mid-1800s: Fulani jihad annexed parts under the Gwandu sphere of the Sokoto Caliphate
- Colonial:
- Late 1800s–early 1900s: British occupation into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate
- 1914: Merged into British Nigeria
- 1960: Independence
- State creation:
- 1967: Created as West Central State (from Northern Region)
- 1976: Renamed Kwara State; parts ceded to Benue and later Kogi and Niger
Economy
- Main sector: Agriculture (coffee, cotton, groundnut, cocoa, oil palm, kola nut)
- Other industries: Services, livestock (cattle, goats, sheep)
- Mineral resources: Petroleum, gold, limestone, marble, feldspar, clay, kaolin, quartz, granite, laterite
Population
- 2006 Census: 2.37 million
- 2024 Estimate: 3,390,330
- Ethnic composition: Yoruba, Nupe, Fulani, Baruba
- Demonym: Kwarans
Languages
Languages by LGA plus others such as Busa, Boko, and Sorko.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Kwara State has 16 LGAs.
Governance
- First Governor: David Bamigboye
- Current Governor: Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (APC, elected 2019, re-elected 2023)
- Deputy Governor: Kayode Alabi
- Governorship limit: 2 terms (Abdulrazaq ends 2027)
Education
- Universities:
- Federal: University of Ilorin
- State: Kwara State University
- Private: Al-Hikmah University, Landmark University, Summit University, Crown Hill University, Thomas Adewumi University, Ahman Pategi University, University of Offa
- Polytechnics:
- Federal: Federal Polytechnic Offa
- State: Kwara State Polytechnic
- Private: The Polytechnic Igbo Owu, Lens Polytechnic Offa, Graceland Polytechnic
- Colleges of Education: 15 total (11 private, 4 government-owned)
- Other institutions: Nigerian Navy School of Health Science (Offa), International Aviation College (Ilorin)
Healthcare
Key hospitals include: - Kwara State University Teaching Hospital - University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital - Life Line Hospital - Sobi Specialist Hospital - Asa Dam Hospital - Many private and state-owned facilities
Tourism
- Esie Museum
- Owu Waterfalls
- Imoleboja Rock Shelter
- Ogunjokoro
- Agbonna Hill (Awon Mass Wedding, Shao)
- Sobi Hill
- Ero Omola Waterfall
Climate
- Type: Tropical wet and dry (Aw)
- Elevation: ~287 m above sea level
- Annual average temperature: 29.54 °C
- Rainfall: ~101.45 mm annually; 148 rainy days/year
Incidents
- June 12, 2023: Boat capsized near Pategi, ≥108 dead
- Oct 25, 2023: Tree fall killed 2, injured ≥5
- Feb 2, 2024: Assassination of traditional ruler Ejire Adeyemi Toun
Transport
- Rail: NRC line from Lagos to the north passes through
- Air: Ilorin Airport handles domestic and international cargo flights
Infrastructure
- Hygiene & Sanitation:
- “Clean Kwara” Campaign launched Sept 22, 2020 to end open defecation, improve sanitation, promote SDG 3 & 6
Sports
- Managed by Kwara State Sports Commission
- Kwara State Stadium Complex facilities: Main bowl, indoor hall, hostel, press center, Olympic-size swimming pool
- Teams: Kwara United FC, ABS FC, Kwara Falcons Basketball Club
Notable People
- Various prominent individuals linked to politics, sports, academia, and culture.
See Also
- Kwara State Executive Council