Katsina State was created in 1987 and it covers an area of 23,983 km2. It borders Jigawa and Kano States to the east, Kaduna State to the south, Zamfara to the west, and the Republic of Niger to the north.

The State has a population of 5,801,584 based on the 1991 census and an annual growth rate of 1.5%. This reflects a population density of 196.6 persons per square kilometer, which ranks it amongst the highest in Nigeria and represents a large reservoir of labour force and a huge market for goods and services.

The State has an annual rainfall of between 640mm in the extreme north to 1056mm’towards the southern part, and the rainfall occurs seasonally with distinct wet and dry seasons.

The natural vegetation varies from the thorn scrub, annual grass-dominated and semi-arid Sahel-Sudan savannah in the north to the thick woodland, tall perennial grass-dominated Northern Guinea savannah in the south. The state lies on a major water divide between Niger North in the West, Lake Chad in the East, and Niger Central to the South. The river system to the west drains into River Rima. A predominantly agrarian State, with an estimated 60% of the population residing in the rural areas and 40% residing in urban or semi-urban communities.

A 1991 study carried out by a private firm on behalf of the Government has shown that some 28 minerals abound in the State. Similarly, an inventory published by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development showed that out of the 34 mineral types available in good quality and commercial quantities in Nigeria, 12 are available for commercial exploitation in Katsina State. These are kaolin, talc, clay (brick & ball), granite, marble, feldspar, quartzite, silica sands (glass), gold, iron ore, manganese, and ilmenite/rutile.

All these features make for a State that has ample opportunities for investment in various sectors, including Agribusiness, Livestock business, Power generation, Water Resources, Health Care Delivery, Education, Solid Minerals, Information and Communication Technology, Industry, and Commerce,’ Tourism and Transportation.
The State has the potential of a diversified economy that will generate income, create wealth, provide employment and generally uplift the standard of living of its citizens.