Qibla finder / Nigeria
Qibla direction from Sokoto, 70.9° east-northeast
From Sokoto, face 70.9° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 3,781 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 70.6°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 3,781 km (2,349 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 70.6°
- Magnetic declination
- 0.2° east
- City centre
- 13.0059, 5.2476
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 70.6°. That is 70.9° from true north, adjusted for the 0.2° east magnetic declination in Sokoto. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Sokoto. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is east-northeast from Sokoto
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Sokoto that path leaves heading east-northeast, at 70.9° from true north. Flat maps distort this route, so it can look wrong on a map even though it is the true direction.
A compass points to magnetic north, which in Sokoto is 0.2° east of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 70.6°, differs from the true bearing.
Someone far from Makkah faces the direction (jihah) of the Kaaba. A small turn to the left or right does not affect the prayer, and a prayer made after a genuine effort stays valid even if you later learn you were slightly off.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- The stronger view is to aim at the Kaaba itself by your best effort, even from far away.
- Maliki, Hanbali
- Facing the direction is enough, as in the Hanafi school.
Qibla from other cities in Nigeria
| City | Qibla | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos | 63.3° | ENE |
| Kano | 68.3° | ENE |
| Abuja | 64.6° | ENE |
| Ibadan | 64.1° | ENE |
| Kaduna | 66.6° | ENE |
| Maiduguri | 65.9° | ENE |
| Ilorin | 65.2° | ENE |
| Port Harcourt | 59.4° | ENE |
| Katsina | 70.2° | ENE |
| Zaria | 67.3° | ENE |
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar.
Questions
Good to know
What is the qibla direction from Sokoto?
The qibla from Sokoto is 70.9° from true north, which is east-northeast. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 70.6°.
How far is Sokoto from Makkah?
About 3,781 km (2,349 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla east-northeast from Sokoto?
The qibla follows the shortest route over the curved Earth to the Kaaba, called a great circle. On a flat map this route looks curved, so the direction can look different from what a map suggests.
How exact do I need to be?
In the Hanafi school, someone far from Makkah faces the general direction of the Kaaba. A small turn to either side does not affect the prayer. Do your best, or follow the direction of your local masjid.