Kwara
State
Flag of Kwara Flag
Nicknames:  State of Harmony
Location of the State of Kwara in Nigeria
Coordinates: 8°30′N 5°00′E / 8.500°N 5.000°E / 8.500; 5.000
Country	Nigeria
Geopolitical Zone	North Central
Date created	27 May 1967
Capital	Ilorin
Number of LGAs	16
Government
• Governor (List)	Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman (APC)
• Deputy Governor	Kayode Alabi
• Senators	Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe Lola Ashiru Suleiman Sadiq Umar
• Legislature	Kwara State House of Assembly
Area
• Total	36,825 km2 (14,218 sq mi)
• Rank	9th of 36
Population  (2006 census)
• Total	2,365,353[1]
• Rank	30th of 36
GDP
• Year	2007
• Total	$3.84 billion[2]
• Per capita	$1,910[2]
Time zone	UTC+01 (WAT)
postal code	240001
ISO 3166 code	NG-KW
HDI (2018)	0.567[3] medium · 20th of 37
Website	"Kwara State Government"

Kwara (Yoruba: Ìpínlẹ̀ Kwárà) is a state in Western Nigeria. Its capital is Ilorin. Kwara is located within the North Central geopolitical zone, commonly referred to as the Middle Belt. The primary ethnic group is Yoruba, with significant Nupe, Bariba, and Fulani minorities.^[4]

History

Kwara State was created on 27 May 1967, when the Federal Military Government of General Yakubu Gowon broke the four regions that then constituted the Federation of Nigeria into 12 states. At its creation, the state was made up of the former Ilorin and Kabba provinces of the then Northern Region and was initially named the West Central State but later changed to "Kwara", a local name for the River Niger.

Kwara State has since 1976 reduced considerably in size as a result of further state creation exercises in Nigeria. On 13 February 1976, the Idah/Dekina part of the state was carved out and merged with a part of the then Benue/Plateau State to form Benue State.

On 27 August 1991, five local government areas, namely Oyi, Yagba, Okene, Okehi and Kogi were also excised to form part of the new Kogi State, while a sixth, Borgu Local Government Area, was merged with Niger State. The major populated local governments are Ilorin and Offa.

Kwara state has numerous mineral resources such as tourmaline, tantalite, and many mineral deposits in the northern part. Cocoa and Kolanut in the Southern parts Oke - Ero, Ekiti and Isin LGA.^[5]

Population

As of 2006, the population of Kwarans was 2.37 million based on the Nigeria 2006 Census.^[1] This population size constitutes about 1.69% of the Nation's total population having relied upon immigration for population growth and socioeconomic development.^[6]

Residents of the state are sometimes referred to as Kwarans.^[7]

Languages

Languages of Kwara State listed by LGA:^[8]

Local Government Areas

Kwara State consists of sixteen Local Government Areas. They are:

Tourism

Important tourist attractions in Kwara State include Esie Museum, Owu waterfalls, Imoleboja Rock Shelter, Ogunjokoro, Kainji Lake National Parks and Agbonna Hill Awon Mass Wedding in Shao. There is also Sobi Hill amongst others which is the largest landform in Ilorin, the state capital.^{[citation needed]} A huge natural reserve also divides the state into East and West.

Transport

The Nigerian Railway Corporation extends services from Lagos through the state to the northern part of the country. The Ilorin Airport is a major center for both domestic and international flights and has now been built up into a hub for transportation of cargoes.^{[citation needed]}

Economy

Agriculture is the main source of the economy and the principal cash crops are: cotton, cocoa, coffee, Kolanut, tobacco, beniseed and palm produce. Mineral resources in the state are Petroleum , Gold, limestone, marble, feldspar, clay, kaolin, quartz and granite rocks.^[9]

Industry

Industries in the state include Dangote Flour Mill, Lubcon Lubricant Company, Kam Industries Nigeria Ltd, Tuyil Pharmacy Nig Ltd, Padson Industries NiG Ltd,^[10] Kwara Breweries, Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Industrial Limited, Ijagbo Global Soap and Detergent Industry, United Match Company, Tate and Lyle Company, Resinoplast Plastic Industry, Latbash interiors, LandB group, Phamatech Nigeria Limited, Kwara Textile and Kwara Furniture Company all in Ilorin. Others are Paper Manufacturing Industry, Jebba, Okin Foam and Okin Biscuits, Offa, Kay Plastic, Ganmo and Kwara Paper Converters Limited, Erin-ile. Others are Sugar Producing Company, Bacita, Kwara animal Feed Mall, Ilorin and the Agricultural Products Company.^{[citation needed]}

Education

Kwara has a federal university, the University of Ilorin, a state university, Kwara State University, two polytechnics, Kwara State Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic Offa, three colleges: the college of education, Ilorin, Kwara State College of education, Oro, School of Health technology, Offa, Kwara State College of Nursing, Òkè ode and college of Nursing, Ilorin. It is also home to four Private universities; Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Crown Hill University, Eiye N'korin, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin and Summit University, Offa. There is also a navy school, Nigerian Navy School of Health Science Irra Road Offa and aviation college, International Aviation College, Ilorin.^[11]

Sports

Sporting activities are managed by the State Sports Council. The importance attached to sports led to the construction of a stadium complex. The facilities available at the stadium complex are mainbowl, indoor sports hall, hostel, recreational press center as well as an Olympic size swimming pool. The state is actively represented both in football and basketball. The state is the home to the Kwara United Football Club, ABS FC and Kwara Falcons Basketball Club.

Notable people from Kwara State

See also

• Kwara State Executive Council

References