Kaduna State is a state in central northern Nigeria. Its capital city is also called Kaduna.

The state is the successor to the old Northern Region of Nigeria, which had its capital at Kaduna. In 1967 this was split up into six states, one of which was the North-Central State, whose name was changed to Kaduna State in 1976. This was further divided in 1987, losing the area now part of Katsina State.

Kaduna State is mostly populated by Hausa, Gbagyi, Adara, Ham, Atyap, Bajjuu and Agworok ethnic communities

It has a political significance as the former administrative headquarters of the North during the colonial era. The state shares boundaries with Niger State to the west, Zamfara, Katsina and Kano states to the north, Bauchi and Plateau States to the east and FCT Abuja and Nassarawa state to the south. Kaduna State occupies 46,053 square kilometres. Zaria is one of the major towns in Kaduna state and is very rich in history.

Kaduna State provides the meeting point of the earliest histories of Nigeria. It is the home of Nok which gave its name to the oldest culture of Nigeria - the Nok culture.