Kaduna

The word Kaduna is said to be a corruption of the Hausa word Kadduna (crocodile, kaduna being the plural form). The name may also be linked to the Gbagyi word Odna, meaning "river".

Kaduna was founded by British colonists in 1900. The first British governor of Northern Nigeria, Sir Frederick Lugard, chose the site for development due to its proximity to the Lagos-Kano Railway. It became the capital of Nigeria's former Northern Region in 1917, and retained this status until 1967. The city is still influential as the headquarters of various political, military and cultural organisations, especially in Northern Nigeria. In 1976, when the General Murtala Mohammed administration created seven new states in Nigeria, North Central State was renamed Kaduna State, along with its capital. The state was made up of the two colonial period Provinces of Zaria and Katsina. In 1991, the number of states in the country was increased from twenty-one to thirty, after which Katsina Province became Katsina State, while the old Zaria Province became the new Kaduna State. …

Kaduna is a major industrial center in Northern Nigeria, manufacturing products like textiles, machinery, steel, aluminum, petroleum products and bearings. However, the textile industry has been in decline due to recent Chinese imports and factory closures caused by years of neglect across many administrations. Other light manufactures include: plastics, pharmaceuticals, leather goods, furniture, and televisions. Agriculture is also a major industry in Kaduna, and as such, the Bank of Agriculture has its headquarters in the city. Some main agricultural exports include: cotton, peanuts, sorghum, and ginger. Kaduna also has a branch of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Automobile manufacturing also remains an important part of Kaduna's economy. Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria has an assembly plant in Kaduna. …

There is a large racecourse named Murtala Mohammed Square, approximately 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) in perimeter, inside which is found the Kaduna Polo Club. Kaduna Golf Club is also located within the Kaduna central business district. Other sports facilities include the Ahmadu Bello Stadium and Ranchers Bees Stadium.