Kwara is a state in the North Central part of Nigeria. It's capital is the city of Ilorin and the state has 16 Local government areas.

Cities

• 1 Ilorin – the state capital
• 2 Afon
• 3 Ajasse Ipo
• 4 Aran-Orin
• 5 Babaloma
• 6 Erin-Ile
• 7 Ilala
• 8 Ifelodun
• 9 Ijara Isin
• 10 Kaiama
• 11 Lafiagi
• 12 Moro
• 13 Offa
• 14 Okanle
• 15 Omupo
• 16 Oro-ago
• 17 Pategi

Understand

A majority of the inhabitants speak Yoruba. The major ethnic group in this state is the Yorubas, with Fulani, Nupe and Bariba forming the minorities. The capital of the state is Ilorin. The state is known for its natural resources such as petroleum, gold, limestone, marble, feldspar, clay, kaolin, quartz and granite rocks.

Kwara is split between the West Sudanian savanna in the east and the Guinean forest–savanna mosaic ecoregion in the rest of the state. Important geographic features include rivers with the Niger flowing along the northern border into Lake Jeba before continuing as the border while the Awun, Asa, Aluko, and Oyun rivers flow through the interior.

Economically, Kwara State is largely based on agriculture, mainly of coffee, cotton, groundnut, cocoa, oil palm, and kola nut crops. Other key industries are services, especially in the city of Ilorin, and the livestock herding and ranching of cattle, goats, and sheep.

Get in

By plane

There is an international airport in Ilorin the state's capital. You can enter the state by flight

By train

There is a train service from Ibadan to Ilorin and also from Kano and Kaduna. Although the train is not really reliable.

By bus

There are several bus terminals in Kwara State. You can get a luxurious bus or local buses into the state

Get around

You can move around the state by using either a bus, car, taxi or bike. Their taxis are relatively cheap and they are usually painted green.

See

Important tourist attractions in Kwara State include Esie Museum, Imoleboja Rock Shelter, Ogunjokoro, Dangote Flour Mill, and Agbonna Hill Awon Mass Wedding in Shao. Owu waterfalls is one of the highest and most spectacular waterfalls in west Africa. Sobi Hill is the largest landform in Ilorin, the state capital. Ero Omola waterfall is also a tourist attraction.

The University of Ilorin is one of the most prestigious institution in Nigeria.

Do

In the far northwest of the state is the Borgu section of the Kainji National Park, a large national park that contains populations of grey heron, kob, hippopotamus, African bush elephant, olive baboon, and roan antelope along with some of the last remaining West African lions on Earth.

In the far southwest, a small part of the Old Oyo National Park contains crowned eagle, martial eagle, African buffalo, oribi, and patas monkey populations.

The people of Kwara are fond or parties. You will always see a party every weekend. You should try and attend one.

Go next

• Kogi State
• Lagos State
• Ogun state