Sokoto State, Administrative division in northwestern Nigeria
Sokoto State sits in the Sahel zone of northwestern Nigeria, characterized by sandy savannah, scattered hills, and wide river valleys. The region borders Niger to the north and several Nigerian states to the south.
The region was an independent Fulani empire during the 19th century before British forces took control in 1900. It became a state in 1976 when Nigeria reorganized its administrative structure.
The Fulani and Hausa communities here speak their own languages and maintain distinct traditions visible in daily life. Islam shapes social customs, prayer times, and the rhythm of the seasons for most residents.
Most people here work in farming, growing millet, maize, and rice in the fertile river valleys. The cooler months from October to March are the best time to visit the region.
The Bakolori Dam, built in 1975 on the Sokoto River, supplies water for irrigation across farming areas. This structure transformed how water reaches fields in an otherwise dry landscape.
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