South East
Abia State
Capital: Umuahia · Created 1991 · ≈3.9 million · Area 6,320 km²
Population
≈3.9 million
Size
6,320 km²
Capital
Umuahia
Year created
1991
Geopolitical zone
South East
Languages
Igbo · English
Ethnic groups
- Igbo (Ohuhu, Ngwa, Ibeku, Ohafia)
Natural resources
- Crude oil (Ukwa)
- Natural gas
- Limestone
- Kaolin
- Salt
- Lead-zinc
Signature foods
- Ofe onugbu (bitter-leaf soup)
- Ukwa (breadfruit porridge)
- Achicha ede (dried cocoyam)
- Nkwobi
- Ji akwukwo
Notable people
- Nnamdi Kanu (IPOB)
- Emeka Ojukwu (Biafra leader, born here)
- Chinua Achebe (writer, of Ogidi origin but Abia link)
- Kanu Nwankwo (footballer)
Culture, values & festivals
- Ohafia war dance
- Age-grade system (associations by birth-year cohort)
- New Yam Festival (Iri Ji)
- Igbo entrepreneurship — Aba is a major trading hub
Top places to visit in Abia
- 1
National War Museum, Umuahia
Biafran war history, Ojukwu's bunker preserved on-site.
- 2
Ariaria International Market, Aba
One of Africa's largest markets — leather goods, textiles, spare parts.
- 3
Long Juju of Arochukwu
Sacred grove and cave system with pre-colonial oracle history.
- 4
Azumini Blue River
Clear-water river popular for boat rides and beach picnics.
About the South East
Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo. Igbo heartland, trading powerhouse, coal region.