Zonkwa (Jju: A̱zunkwa) is a town in Kaduna State, Nigeria. It is the headquarters of Zangon Kataf local government area.

Understand

Zonkwa is the headquarters of the Zangon Kataf local government area and the seat of the paramount ruler of Bajju chiefdom.

Zonkwa sits on a railway line liking Kaduna to Kafanchan.

Climate

The climate of Zonkwa is tropical, with temperatures rising up to 38 °C (100 °F) and above between March and May. It is marked by dry and rainy seasons. The rainy season lasts from late May to September while the mild season known as Harmattan lasts from December to April.

History

Zonkwa became the local government headquarters in 1989 when Zangon Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) was created from old Kachia LGA.

In 1991, when the old Zangon Kataf district was further divided (since 1975 when Chawai district was created from it), creating three more districts, Zonkwa became the headquarters of Bajju district.

In 1995, when the district was upgraded to a chiefdom, Zonkwa remained it headquarters.

Get in

Zonkwa can be reached via land and air.

By car

• From Kaduna:

If you are arriving from Kaduna, you can board a vehicle going to Zonkwa at Television garage.

• From Abuja:

One could take an Uber or airport cab from the airport to the Sani Abacha Mega Bus Terminal in Karu, Nasarawa State. One gets a vehicle from the garage to Kafanchan at a fare of between ₦2,500 and ₦3,000. If you came via Keffi-Barde-Jagindi road, you should stop at Samaru Kataf junction at Agban in Kagoro, to board a vehicle to Samaru Kataf; from Samaru Kataf, you board another going to Zonkwa. But if you came through the Keffi-Barde-Kwoi road to Kafanchan, stop at NEPA Roundabout road motor park. But if the car stops before getting there, take a motorbike at ₦100 to get to the motor park at Garaje. From there, you board a vehicle going to Zonkwa.

You can get to Zonkwa through any of the following means like on motorbike, bicycle or foot, which would take longer.

Buy

• 1 Benchat Enterprise, Near Benchat Enterprise, Anglican Cathedral Shops (along Kachia — Kaduna Road). (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Meen Gas, Kafanchan Road. (updated Jan 2023)
• 3 Yung Billz Collection, 02, Agwam Street, Gora Junction. A boutique. (updated Jan 2023)
• 4 Zonkwa Market Center. (updated Jan 2023)
• 5 Sabon garri market, Is located in the heart of Zonkwa town (Head east on Zonkwa-Kagoro Road from town center, Market is 1 km ahead, on the left.). 8am-6pm. Sabon Garri Market is a vibrant outdoor market selling fresh produce, food, clothing, and crafts. (updated Aug 2024)
• 6 Tudun wada market, Tudun wada market, zonkwa, kaduna state, Nigeria (Head east from Zonkwa town center on Kagoro Road direction.). 8am- 6pm. Tudun Wada Market is a bustling open-air market in Zonkwa, selling fresh produce, meat, traditional clothing, household items, and local handicrafts, with a vibrant atmosphere. (updated Aug 2024)

Sleep

• 1 Mma Guess Inn, Near Kachia-Zonkwa Rd. (updated Jan 2023)

Stay safe

Zonkwa a state in southern Kaduna has experienced series/period of unrest, violence and killing in the past.Most times it is often related to communal and ethnic conflict.The security situation can be volatile at time and unpredictable.

Learn

• 1 St. Louis School of Midwifery. (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Zonkwa Library. (updated Jan 2023)

Connect

Cellular networks like MTN, Glo, 9mobile and Airtel are used here. The network strengths vary from one part of the town to the other.

Go next

From Zonkwa, you could get to the following towns with ease:

• Agut Ntswuo - a junction town connecting Zonkwa to Zangon Kataf and Kagoro
• Kachia - the ginger capital of Southern Kaduna
• Kafanchan - the economic capital of the Southern Kaduna area
• Zangon Kataf - 28.1 km (32 min) northwest of Zonkwa