Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disorder, with a heterogeneous presentation thataffects many organs of the body. Though it is a common disorder among the Nigerian population,it is just beginning to receive attention.This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus and its association with antinuclear antibody and extractable nuclear antigen among patients attending selected hospitals in Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 300 blood samples were collected and assayed for systemic lupuserythematosususing latex test kit, while Antinuclear Antibody and Extractable Nuclear Antigenwere analysedby enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.A structured questionnaire wasused to obtain data on socio-demographic and risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosusfrom the study participants. A sero-prevalence of 21% (63/300) was found among the study population. Theprevalence was higher in female patients(21.8%:52/239) than in male patients(18%:11/61) though not statistically significant (p=0.011).The highest prevalence was recorded among patients above 60 years (36.7%:11/30) and lowest in patients below 20 years (12.8%:5/39). Factors found to be statistically associated with systemic lupus erythematosus were hospital location (p=0.011), marital status (p=0.038), loss of weight (p=0.005), photosensitivity (p=0.042) and seizures (p=0.014). History of blood transfusion (p=0.037) was found to be a risk factor (OR=1.998)for systemic lupus erythematosusand antinuclear antibody was found to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (p=0.007). The result of the extractable nuclear antigens assay showed Scl-70, Jo-1, Sm/RNP and SSB as the most common antigens while Sm and SSA antigens were not detected.The high prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosusobtained in this study necessitates the need to enlighten the population on systemic lupus erythematosus and its diagnostic importance. Antinuclear antibody assay can also be included as a diagnostic tool for systemic lupus erythematosus