Sokoto State in its present form came into being in October 1996 when Zamfara State was created by the, then Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Arm Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha GCFR.

The areas of present Sokoto State were home to many empires and kingdoms of the pre-colonial Western Sudan, these include Gobir and Kebbi Kingdoms as well as the World-renowned Sokoto caliphate which spiritual and political capital is the Headquarter of the State.