Abia is a state in the Southeastern region of Nigeria, known as "God's own state". Abia State got its name from the state's most populated regions, namely: Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato, Afikpo. The state's capital is Umuahia and its most populous city is Aba.
Geography and Location
Abia State occupies about 4902 square kilometres. Abia is bordered on the west by Imo, east by Cross River, south by Rivers, northwest by Anambra and northeast by Enugu and Ebonyi. It is bounded on the north and northeast by the states of Enugu for about 25 km, and Ebonyi for 70 km, Cross River State for about 52 km and Akwa Ibom State for 151 km to the east and southeast respectively, Rivers State to the south and west for 87 km, Imo State and Anambra to the west for to the west in the vicinity of the Imo River) for about 18 km and about 104 km respectively. The state is divided between the Niger Delta swamp forests in the south and the Cross-Niger transition forests.
The Imo and Aba Rivers flows along the state's western and southern borders respectively. Aba River is a river in southern Nigeria. It runs through Aba and is a tributary of the Imo River.
History of Abia State
Abia State's history begins as part of the Aro Confederacy until its defeat in the early 1900s by the British troops during the Anglo-Aro War. After the war, the area was incorporated into the Southern Nigeria Protectorate of British Nigeria. After Nigeria's independence in 1960, Abia became part of the Eastern Region until 1967 before the region was split, and it became part of the East Central State.
The Eastern Region attempted to secede in Nigerian Civil War with Abia as part of the secessionist state of Biafra. After the war and the then reunification of Nigeria, the East Central State was merged until 1976 when Imo including Abia, was formed by Murtala Muhammed. Eastern Imo would later become the old Abia State after a split.
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Demographics and Culture
The Igbo people make up 95% of the state's population and the official language is Igbo. Their traditional language, Igbo is the most commonly used language. English is also widely spoken, and serves as the official language in governance and business.
Key Cultural Aspects:
- Ekpe Festival Umuahia: This masquerade festival is peculiar to Umuahia people and it’s celebrated annually in January.
- New Yam Festival (Iwaji): Celebrated annually at the end of the rainy season in August in thanksgiving to the gods for a bumper harvest.
Economy and Resources
Abia State's economy is based on the production of crude oil and natural gas, and on agriculture, mainly of yams, maize, taro, oil palm, and cassava. Representing 27% of the GDP, agriculture employs 70% of the state workforce. The state produced 36,000 barrels of crude oil per day; "Imoturu produces 23,000 barrels per day and Isimili flow station produces over 8,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Then four oil wells in Izaku go to Obigo flow station. About 30 oil wells from my village go to Umuri, and about eight oil wells from Umurie go to Afam", said Samuel Okezie Nwogu, Chairman of Abia State Oil Producing Development Area Commission (ASOPADEC).
The industrial centre of the state is in Aba, with textile manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, soap, plastics, cement, footwear, and cosmetics. The manufacturing sector only accounts for 2% of the GDP.
Key Economic Data
| Sector | Contribution to GDP | Workforce Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | 27% | 70% |
| Manufacturing | 2% | N/A |
Climate
Aba experiences a warm and gloomy wet season as well as a scorching and oppressive dry season. The rainy season is warm and cloudy, the dry season is hot and largely gloomy, and the climate is uncomfortable all year long.
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Government and Administration
The State Government is led by a democratically elected Governor who works closely with members of the state's House of Assembly. At statehood in 1991, Abia was ruled by Ibrahim Babangida-appointed Military Administrator Frank Ajobena before Ogbonnaya Onu was elected governor later that year under the Third Nigerian Republic.
In 1999, Nigeria returned to democracy, and Orji Uzor Kalu was elected governor on the platform of the People's Democratic Party. At the end of Kalu's term in 2007, Theodore Orji (PPA) defeated Onyema Ugochukwu (PDP) in the 2007 gubernatorial election, to become Abia's next Governor.
The electoral system of each state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two -third of the State local government Areas.
Education
Abia state's public and private secondary schools, according to a document by the Ministry of Education, had a student-teacher ratio of 8:1 to 12:1 from 2013 to 2016 school year. All school divisions must adhere to educational standards set forth by the Abia State Ministry of Education.
Student Enrollment:
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- 2016: 13,699 students in public schools, 14,798 in private schools.
- 2017: 13,351 students in public schools, 39,280 students in private schools.
Tourism
There are quite some things you should ensure you do in Abia state as a tourist. Here are some tourist atractions:
- Ariaria International Market: One of the biggest in Sub-Saharan Africa, established in Aba in 1976.
- National War Museum in Umuahia: Displays weapons from both sides of the 1967-1971 Nigerian conflict and various exhibits pertaining to the event.
- The Gate of Umuahia: The grand market located at the centre of Umuahia.
- Akwete Cloth Production House: A unique hand woven textile produced in the town of Akwete.
- Abia Tower: A beautiful place to behold in Umuahia.
GOOD TOURIST LOCATION IN ABIA STATE!! WE PRAY GOV ALEX OTTI REMEMBER’S THIS PLACE! #umuahia #aba
Transportation
The nearest airport to Abia is Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport (Owerri Airport), it is an hour drive to Umuahia and Aba. It is two hours' drive to Port Harcourt International Airport. Akwa Ibom Airport (Akwa Ibom State) can also serve would-be visitors. The rail transport is also available in the state very effective. Aba is connected to Port Harcourt by rail.
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