Kwara

Kwara State is a state in the north-central region of Nigeria. Its capital is Ilorin, the state’s largest city and economic center. The state is named after the Kwara River, which traverses the area. Kwara was created on May 27, 1967, from the Western State.

The state covers about 36,825 square kilometers and features a mix of savanna and riverine landscapes. The population is ethnically diverse, with Yoruba communities in the south and Nupe and Bariba communities in the north. The official language is English, while Yoruba and Nupe are widely spoken locally.

Economy is largely agrarian, with crops such as cassava, yam, maize, millet, and rice, plus livestock husbandry and some mining. The state hosts higher education institutions, including the University of Ilorin (established 1975) and Kwara State University in Malete (established 2009). It is connected by road and by the Lagos-Kano rail corridor in parts.

Governance follows Nigeria’s federal system, with a governor and a state assembly. The Emir of Ilorin is the traditional ruler of the Kwara Emirate, reflecting the state's historic status as a center of Yoruba and Fulani influence. Politically, the Saraki family has played a prominent role in the state's leadership and national representation.