Sokoto State
Sokoto State (Hausa: Jihar Sokoto; Fula: 𞤤𞤫𞤴𞤣𞤠𞤧𞤮𞥅𞤳𞤮𞥅𞤼𞤮𞥅, Leydi Sokoto) is one of the 36 states of Nigeria, located in the extreme northwest of the country. Bounded by Republic of the Niger to the north and west for 363 km (226 miles), and the states of Zamfara to the east, and Kebbi to the south and west, partly across the Ka River. Its capital and largest city is the city of Sokoto. Sokoto is located near to the confluence of the Sokoto River and the Rima River. As of 2022 it has an estimated population of more than 6.3 million.
Sokoto State
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Flag Seal | |
| Nicknames: | |
Location of Sokoto State in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 13°05′N 05°15′E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Date created | 3 February 1976 |
| Capital | Sokoto |
| Government | |
| • Body | Government of Sokoto State |
| • Governor (List) | Ahmad Aliyu (APC) |
| • Deputy Governor | Idris Muhammad Gobir (APC) |
| • Legislature | Sokoto State House of Assembly |
| • Senators | E: Senator Ibrahim lamido (APC) N: Aliyu Wamakko (APC) S: Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP) |
| • Representatives | List |
| Area | |
| • Total | 25,973 km2 (10,028 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 16th of 36 |
| Population (2006 census) | |
| • Total | 3,702,676 |
| • Estimate (2022) | 6,391,000 |
| • Rank | 11th of 36 |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| • Year | 2021 |
| • Total | $18.44 billion 20th of 36 |
| • Per capita | $3,174 22nd of 36 |
| Time zone | UTC+01 (WAT) |
| postal code | 840001 |
| ISO 3166 code | NG-SO |
| HDI (2021) | 0.336 low · 36th of 37 |
Being the seat of the former Sokoto Caliphate, the city is predominantly Muslim and an important seat of Islamic learning in Nigeria. The Sultan who heads the caliphate is effectively the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims.