Kaduna derived its name from a river known as Kogin Kadduna, meaning ‘crocodile-infested'. The state, which has a population of 6,066,562, was established as state capital during the colonial period and has as remained such for the past 100 years.

Kaduna grew from small and scattered settlements of indigenous population, mostly Gbagyi, to a densely-populated town, and later to a city. The official languages are English and Hausa, with the latter widely spoken all over the state.

Erosion has resulted in the outgrowth of rock-forming inselbergs in a large rocky upland region which is attractive for sight-seeing.