THE KADUNA CAPITAL CITY LAW OF 1956 AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NORTHERN REGION OF NIGERIA HEADQUARTERS

Abstract

This paper is an examination of the processes leading to the promulgation of the Kaduna Capital City Law of 1956 and its consequent impact. Through the use of primary and secondary sources, the paper explores the administrative and territorial logic behind the spirit of the Kaduna Capital City Law of 1956. The paper illustrate how the capital city law reformed the city’s administration by ending the dual system of administration that had divided authority between the regional authorities and the Zaria Native Authority. With the passage of the law a clearly defined metropolitan area emerged with the power of governance and administration vested solely in Kaduna Township administrator under the control of the Northern Nigerian regional government. The impact of the law resulted in the purposeful administration of Kaduna that was designed to accelerate the development of the city as regional headquarters in the remaining days of colonial rule and after independence in 1960.