Sokoto State
Sokoto is a state in Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone.
- Capital
- Sokoto
- Population
- 6.2M
- Total area
- 32,358 km²
- LGAs
- 23
- House Reps (total)
- 11
- IGR (2024)
- ₦20.8B
- Capital
- Sokoto
- Population
- 6.2M
- 2023 estimate
- Land area
- 32,358 km²
- LGAs
- 23
- Senate seats
- 3
- IGR (2024)
- ₦20.8B
- internally generated revenue
Sub-national administrative units
Local government areas (23)
23 constitutional tier-3 units
Geopolitical synthesis
Sokoto in the federation
Sokoto is a state in Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone.
Bordering territories & maritime boundaries
- Land bordersKebbi, Zamfara
- International borderRepublic of Benin
Quick facts
- Date created
- 1976
- Known as
- Seat of the Caliphate
- Population
- ~6,200,000
- Climate classification
- Tropical Wet & Dry / Savanna
- LGAs
- 23
- Distance to Abuja
- 476 km
Languages, stories and places to explore
Languages spoken
Major cities
Sokoto · Tambuwal · Wurno
What to explore · learn
Sokoto's nickname reflects its status as the historic capital of the Sokoto Caliphate, founded around 1809 by Usman dan Fodio.
The Sultan of Sokoto remains Nigeria's foremost traditional Islamic authority, a title with unbroken lineage back to the Caliphate's founding.
The Hausa kingdom of Gobir, in the Sabon Birni area of present-day Sokoto State, was the state whose rulers Usman dan Fodio opposed before founding the caliphate.
Sabon Birni
Metro areas
Sokoto Metropolis
Sokoto State's capital, historic seat of the Sokoto Caliphate and the Sultan of Sokoto, Nigeria's foremost Islamic traditional authority.