Kwara State has been inhabited for years by various ethnic groups, primarily the majority Yoruba people that live throughout the state, but there are sizeable minorities of Nupe people in the northeast, Bariba (Baatonu) and Busa (Bokobaru) people in the west, and a small Fulani population in Ilorin, moving through the state as nomadic herders.[14]
In the pre-colonial period, the majority of the area that is now Kwara state was part of the Oyo Empire, with part of the western portions in the Borgu Kingdoms peopled by the Bariba, Boko and Bissa people, and Nupe Kingdom (1531–1835). In the mid-1800s, the Fulani jihad annexed some part of what is now the state of Kwara and placed the area under the Gwandu sphere of the Sokoto Caliphate. In the 1890s and 1900s, British expeditions occupied the area and incorporated it into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate. The Northern Nigeria later merged into British Nigeria in 1914, before becoming independent as Nigeria in 1960. Originally, the modern-day Kwara state was a part of the post-independence Northern Region until 1967, when the region was split and the area became the West Central State. In 1976, the state was renamed Kwara State and the name remained until the 1990s when its southeast was split off to form a part of Kogi state and its far northwest Borgu division was annexed into the Borgu division of Niger state.[citation needed]
Kwara State was created on 27 May 1967,[16] 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, in the Hausa language.[17]
Kwara state has since 1976 reduced considerably in size due to 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.[18]
As of 2006, the population of Kwarans was 2.37 million, based on the Nigerian 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.[22] The principal ethnic groups are Yoruba, Nupe, Fulani, and Baruba.[23] The population estimate of Kwara State, as at July 2024, is put at 3,390,330.[24]
Residents of the state are referred to as Kwarans.[25]
Like every other state in Nigeria, Kwara State has had a mix of civilian and military Governors. The first Governor of Kwara state was David Bamigboye. The current governor of Kwara State is Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman, who emerged victorious in the 9 March 2019 governorship election, under the APC. Abdulrahman Abdulrazak was sworn in on 29 May 2019, making him the 4th democratic governor of Kwara State and the 20th governor of Kwara State overall. Kayode Alabi is the deputy governor of Kwara state under AbdulRahman's administration.[28][29] On March 19, 2023, Abdulrazak won re-election[30] and will remain governor until 2027 when he will be constitutionally ineligible to re-contest for a third term in office.[31]
Education
Kwara State University, Malete
Kwara State has a federal university, the University of Ilorin, a state university, Kwara State University, and seven other privately owned Universities: Al-Hikmah University, Landmark University, Summit University, Offa[32]Crown Hill University,[33]Thomas Adewumi University,[34] Ahman Pategi University[35] and University of Offa.[36][37] Kwara state also has five approved polytechnics; a federal polytechnic, Federal Polytechnic Offa, a state-owned polytechnic, Kwara State Polytechnic, and three privately owned: The Polytechnic Igbo Owu, Lens Polytechnic, and Graceland Polytechnic.[38] Of the fifteen Colleges of Education in Kwara state, eleven are owned by private establishments: College of Education Ilemona, Muhyideen College of Education, Kinsey College of Education, Ilorin, Kwara State, Moje College of Education, Erin-Ile, Imam Hamzat College of Education, ECWA College of Education, College of Education Offa, Nana Aisha College of Education, Adesina College of Education and Pan African College of Education. Four colleges of education in Kwara state are funded by the star government: Kwara State College of Education Ilorin, College of Education Oro, Kwara State College of Education (Technical) Lafiagi, and one federal government's institution offering NCE, the Nigeria Army School of Education.[39] There is also a Navy school, Nigerian Navy School of Health Science, Irra Road, Offa, and an aviation college, International Aviation College, Ilorin.[40]
Healthcare
Kwara State has many hospitals and medical health cares; these include:[41]
Kwara State University Teaching Hospital[42][43][44]
Important tourist attractions in Kwara state include Esie Museum, Owu waterfalls, one of the highest and most spectacular waterfalls in West Africa.[23] Imoleboja Rock Shelter, Ogunjokoro, Kainji Lake National Parks, now in Niger state, 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.[47] A huge natural reserve also divides the state into East and West. Ero Omola waterfall is also a tourist attraction [48]
Climate
Located at an elevation of 286.86 meters (941.14 feet) above sea level, Kwara has a Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate (Classification: Aw). The city's yearly temperature is 29.54 °C (85.17 °F) and it is 0.08% higher than Nigeria's averages. Kwara typically receives about 101.45 millimeters (3.99 inches) of precipitation and has 148.38 rainy days (40.65% of the time) annually.[49] It is located at 4.3874051 longitude and 8.9668961 latitude.[49]
The table below has data for the whole year as an average taken from last 12+ years of historical data for Ilorin.[50]
According to reports, a boat capsized and broke in two on 12 June 2023, in the Niger River close to Pategi, in Kwara State, Nigeria. The guests on the boat were originally arriving on motorcycles, but the intense rain left them stranded. It was confirmed that at least 108 people have died and many are absent.[5]
On 25 October 2023, a tree fall killed two people and injured at least five.[51][52]
On 2 February 2024, Ejire Adeyemi Toun, the traditional ruler was assassinated in his palace, and his wife was kidnapped.[53]
Transport
Ilorin Train Station in Kwara
The Nigerian Railway Corporation extends services from Lagos through the state to the northern part of the country. 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.[54]
The government of Nigeria is increasingly aware of problems emanating from poor environmental sanitation, and Kwara state is working on improving its environment and sanitation.[57] On 22 September 2020, the Kwara state governor officially commenced the 'Clean Kwara' Campaign to end open defecation and promote good hygiene in the state.[58] The state government is working to fix all the roads and waterways to ensure free water flow,[59] putting in efforts to ensure water sanitation,[60] building toilets, and making clean water accessible.[60] This is also to promote Sustainable Development Goals 3 & 6 (general access to safe and affordable drinking water and access to adequate and equitable sanitation, hygiene for all, and end open defecation by 2030)[58]
Sports
Sporting activities are managed by the Kwara State Sports Commission.[61][62] The importance attached to sports led to the construction of a stadium, named—Kwara State Stadium Complex. The facilities available at the stadium complex are the 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.
