Lord Frederick Lugard, the Governor-General (1914-1919) of Nigeria, moved the Northern Region's capital from Zungeru to Kaduna. In 1967, Kaduna became the North Central State's capital, created from the Northern Region. By 1976, General Murtala Mohammed gave the state its name.

In 1987, the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida created the state of Katsina from Kaduna. Interestingly, the Nok tribe, one of Africa's earliest civilisations, is located within the area that makes up Kaduna.

The state slogan is "The Centre of Learning" because it is home to several prestigious institutions. The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Nigerian College of Aviation, Barewa College and Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, to name a few.