Abia State

Languages spoken

Major cities

Umuahia · Aba · Arochukwu

What to explore · learn

• God's Own Stateculture

  Abia's nickname reflects its strong Christian religious identity and its role as a commercial engine of the southeast.

• Aba's manufacturing fameeconomy

  Aba, Abia's commercial capital, is nationally known for locally manufactured shoes, bags, and garments branded 'Aba-made.'

• Arochukwu and the Long Jujuhistory

  Arochukwu was historically home to the powerful Aro Confederacy and the Ibini Ukpabi oracle ('Long Juju'), central to pre-colonial trade and slave-trade networks in the region.

• Ohafia war dance (Ikpirikpe-Ogu)culture

  Ohafia is known for its warrior tradition, expressed in the Ikpirikpe-Ogu war dance.

  Ohafia
• National War Museum, Umuahiahistory

  Umuahia holds a museum of the 1967-70 civil war and served as an administrative seat of Biafra after Enugu fell.

  Umuahia

Cultural groups & homelands

• Ibeku and Umuahia axis

  5 LGAs

  Igbo communities of central and northern Abia around Umuahia (Ibeku), including Ikwuano and Isuikwuato.

• Ngwa and Ukwa

  5 LGAs

  Ngwa and Ukwa Igbo communities of southern Abia State, hinterland of the Aba commercial centre.

• Ohafia, Arochukwu and Abam

  3 LGAs

  Igbo communities of north-eastern Abia State: the Aro of Arochukwu, the Ohafia warrior tradition and the Abam.

Metro areas

• Aba Metropolis

  Abia State's commercial and light-manufacturing capital, home of the 'Aba-made' shoe and garment industry centred on Ariaria Market.