10 Most Essential Things You Must Know About Kwara State

Meaning and significance of Kwara

Kwara means “sea” or “lake” in Nupe language. The state is associated with the color green, which represents nature, agriculture, renewal, energy, and life, and is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, and fertility.

History and location

Kwara state is one of the oldest states in western Nigeria, it was among the states founded by Yakubu Gowon on the 27 May 1967. It is a state bordered to the east by Kogi, to the north by Niger state, to the south by Ekiti, Osun, and the west by Oyo and Ogun states.

Capital

Ilorin is the capital and the biggest town in Kwara state. Ilorin means “stone for sharpening metals” It is an industrial, education center. It has food processing, and iron-working industries and is the site of a university (1975) and a state polytechnic college.

Population

Kwara state is the sixth least populated state in Nigeria, with approximately 2.5 million people, according to the state government’s website, with Yoruba tribe dominating the state.

Ethnics group

There are four main ethnic groups in Kwara, which are, Yoruba, Fulani, Nupe, and Bariba. Yoruba is the main lingua franca of Ilorin city and the primary ethnic group in Kwara state. Fulani, Nupe, and Bariba are the significant minority ethnic groups in the state. Also, the main languages in the state are Yoruba, Nupe, Bokobaru, and Fufude.

Religion

Kwara state is a Muslim state with a large pocket of Christians. It is known for its Shariah laws which contribute to how the people of the state live. In Kwara state, there is no community without a central mosque but you will hardly see a church in a town. This is due to the high rate of Muslim people living in the state.

Nickname

Kwara is known by its nickname “State of Harmony”. It maintains and lives up to its name because Kwara is a relatively peaceful state. Even though it is a Muslim state and the people situated there are mostly Muslim, there is religious tolerance and freedom.

Local Government Areas

Kwara state consists of 16 LGAs, which are Asa, Baruten, Edu, Offa, Ekiti, Oyun, Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Moro, Kaiama, Patigi, Ifelodun, Irepodun, Oke-Ero, and Isin.

Economy

Kwara state is rich in natural resources, including petrol, gold, marble, limestone, feldspar, clay, kaolin, quartz, and granite rocks. Also, agriculture is a significant sector, with crops like cotton, sugarcane, and tobacco being the major cash crops.

Attractions

Owu waterfall- it’s a waterfall located between Owa Onire and Owa Kajola in the Ifelodun local government area of Kwara state. It is the tallest waterfall in West Africa measuring 120m above sea level and cascades 330 feet down an escarpment, with rocky outcrops into a pool of ice-cold water below.

Kwara state is home to the first established museum in Nigeria, the Esie Museum, and one of the biggest shopping malls in Nigeria. It also houses an airport and tertiary institutions such as Kwara State University which is ranked as one of the top universities in Nigeria.