Southern Kaduna is made up of 12 Local Government Areas in present Kaduna State (as at 2021), consisting of over 67 ethnic groups with a landmass of 26, 322.50 square kilometers and a population of 3, 381,307 as at 2006 census.The area has favorable geographical environment of rugged mountain terrains, flood plains, forests and good weather with most of the population being farmers.

Since the creation of the Nigerian State in 1914 and the adoption of indirect rule, the ethnic groups of Southern Kaduna have been marginalized under the erstwhile Northern Nigeria, North Central State and now Kaduna State. Except for the influence of Christian Missionaries who brought education and medicine to these ethnic groups, they would have been totally overrun by poverty and degrading lifestyles.
 

The neglect, oppression, inequities and inequalities perpetrated by governments against the people of Southern Kaduna, led to the formation and registration of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Empowerment Foundation (SOKAPEF) by the Southern Kaduna Peoples' Union as an independent body to create opportunities and empowerment for Southern Kaduna People.

Activities of the foundation are intended to affect all communities in the region without religious or ethnic bias.

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