Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) are structural malformations that occur due to defects in morphogenesis of the kidney and/or urinary tract affecting 3–7 out of 1000 live births. They represent an important cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) in the paediatric age group worldwide and can predispose to the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in adult life. Newborns with severe obstruction of the urinary tract often have marked improvement following correction; therefore, early diagnosis and correction is of utmost importance. Ultrasound is usually the first choice among various imaging modalities available for diagnosis as it is readily available, non-invasive, cost effective and safe. The disease burden due to CAKUT is unknown in Africa and the rest of the developing world though well established in developed countries. Several factors are associated with the occurrence of CAKUT such as maternal age, socioeconomic status, maternal diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and neonatal factors such as birth weight. This study aims at determining the prevalence of CAKUT and the pattern of distribution of the subtypes as well as to assess the risk factors associated with the occurrence of CAKUT in neonates seen in Kano.