North West
Kano State
Capital: Kano · Created 1967 · ≈15.5 million · Area 20,131 km²
Population
≈15.5 million
Size
20,131 km²
Capital
Kano
Year created
1967
Geopolitical zone
North West
Languages
Hausa · English
Ethnic groups
- Hausa-Fulani (majority)
- Kanuri minority
Natural resources
- Cotton
- Groundnut
- Hides & skins
- Tantalite
- Cassiterite
- Kaolin
Signature foods
- Tuwo shinkafa with miyan kuka
- Suya
- Kilishi
- Masa
- Fura da nono
- Waina
Notable people
- Aliko Dangote (industrialist)
- Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (former Emir, ex-CBN Governor)
- Abdullahi Ganduje (former governor)
- Muhammadu Sanusi II & III (Emirs of Kano)
- Rabiu Kwankwaso (politician)
Culture, values & festivals
- Kano Emirate (1000+ years) — one of West Africa's greatest trade cities
- Durbar of Kano — massive Eid horse parade
- Dye pits and traditional textile crafts (500+ years old)
- Islamic scholarship centre
Top places to visit in Kano
- 1
Kurmi Market
One of Africa's oldest markets (est. 1463).
- 2
Emir's Palace, Kano
500+ year-old working royal palace.
- 3
Kofar Mata Dye Pits
Only surviving indigo dye pits in West Africa (est. 1498).
- 4
Gidan Makama Museum
Colonial history + Kano royal artefacts.
- 5
Ancient Kano City Walls
14th-century mud walls, 24 km long.
- 6
Kano Durbar
Twice-yearly Eid horse parade — bucket-list cultural spectacle.
About the North West
Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa. Hausa-Fulani heartland; Africa's largest inland cities.