Suleja
Suleja | |
|---|---|
LGA and city | |
| Coordinates: 9°10′33″N 7°10′49″E / 9.17583°N 7.18028°E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Niger State |
| Government | |
| • Local Government Chairman and the Head of the Local Government Council | Isyaku Bawa Na’ibi |
| • Emir | Awwal Ibrahim |
| Population (2016) | |
• Total | 260,240 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
| Climate | Aw |
Suleja is a city in Niger State, Nigeria, just north of Abuja, capital of the country. It is sometimes confused with the nearby city of Abuja, due to its proximity and the fact that it was originally named Abuja before the Nigerian government adopted the name from the then Emir Sulayman Bal for its new federal capital in 1976.
Suleja was established in the early 19th century by Mohammed Makau, the last Hausa emir of Zaria, and his followers, who were fleeing the Fulani jihadists engaged in the conquest of northern Nigeria. Zaria, or Zazzau, was one of the Hausa city/states of Northern Nigeria which were being conquered by the Fulani jihadists under its leader, Usman bin Fodio.
Suleja is the location of the Ladi Kwali Pottery Centre, established by Michael Cardew in 1950. The leading exponent of this school of pottery was Dr. Ladi Kwali, whose works are displayed internationally.