Abakaliki

Abakaliki is the capital and primary commercial centre of Ebonyi State in southeastern Nigeria. The town lies on a flat plateau at an altitude of about 350 metres and is situated near the confluence of the Igbine and Ẹgbin rivers. Its population was estimated to be around 300,000 in the 2006 census, with subsequent estimates suggesting that the urban population has grown to roughly 500,000.

The name "Abakaliki" is derived from the Igbo words “Abakaliki” meaning “between the rivers” and reflects the town’s geography. The area was originally inhabited by the Ikponmwen and other Igbo peoples, and was traditionally administered through a system of local kings known as **Akpa**. The European influence began in the early 20th century when the British colonised the region as part of the Yobaba Protectorate. In 1976, Ebonyi State was created from parts of Enugu and Anambra states and Abakaliki was chosen as its capital due to its central location and existing trade infrastructure.

The economy of Abakaliki is largely based on agriculture; major cash crops include yam, cassava, and palm oil. The town also serves as a regional market for goods such as textiles, motor vehicles, and construction materials. Small-scale manufacturing and service industries, such as hotels, restaurants and banks, have expanded in recent decades.

Education is represented by institutions such as Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki – a constituent university of the University of Nigeria system – and several secondary schools. The city hosts cultural festivals like the “Oguan” and “Iri Ji” festivals, which celebrate Igbo heritage and attract visitors from neighbouring states.

Transport links are primarily road‑based, with a network of highways connecting Abakaliki to cities such as Enugu, Abuja, and, via the national bus system, to Lagos. An airport exists in the larger Ebonyi Niger International Airport located about 25 kilometres north of the town, although air travel remains limited. Notable people from Abakaliki include former military governor Patience Jonathan and writer Chukwuma Acute.