Abakaliki is the capital city of Ebonyi State in southeastern Nigeria, located 64 km southeast of Enugu. The inhabitants are primarily members of the Igbo nation. It was the headquarters of the Ogoja province before the creation of the Southeastern State in 1967.

Etymology

The name Abakaliki originally means 'Aba Nkaleke' and is the name of a community in Izzi land (Nkaleke).

History

Abakaliki was an important center for the slave trade in the 17th century. The slave trade continued in the area with Aro raids into Abakaliki and surrounding areas through the 18th century. The Odozi Obodo Society was a secret cult that operated between 1954 and 1958 in Abakaliki.

Economy

Abakaliki, as in the past, is a center of agricultural trade including such products as yams, cassava, rice, and both palm oil and palm kernels,. It is also known for its local lead, zinc, salt, and limestone mining or quarrying. They host a golf course and many hotels. There are also isolated poultry and egg production farms across the state.

Population

The last known population of Abakaliki was 223,000 (year 2022). The population of the metro area was estimated to be 662,000 (year 2023).

Demographics

Abakaliki is generally populated by the Igbo people. Abakaliki is predominantly populated by the Northeastern Igbo of the Afikpo-Abakaliki axis. Abakaliki is also use to refer to people of old Abakaliki political block comprising Ohaukwu-Ishielu-Izzi-Ezza-Ikwo.

Climate

The dry season in Abakaliki is hot, muggy, and partially cloudy while the wet season is warm, oppressive, and overcast. The temperature rarely falls below 58°F or rises over 92°F throughout the year, often fluctuating between 65°F and 89°F.

Infrastructure

Abakaliki lies at the intersection of the Enugu, Afikpo and Ogoja Roads. Abakaliki also hosts a Federal hospital, which has largely contributed to the affordability of public healthcare delivery in the city and the state. There has been massive infrastructural developments ongoing in the urban center; these include road construction, shopping malls and market places, trans-Sahara fly-over bridges at presco and spera-in-deo junctions amongst others.

Education

Ebonyi State University main campus is located on the outskirts of the city.

Religion

Abakaliki people like other southeastern Nigerians are predominantly Christians. Other religious faith like Traditionalist, Islam, etc. are practiced by handful of the natives as well as non-natives from other parts of the country. Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Anglican and other Pentecostal missions are the dominant Christian faiths. On March 1, 1973, the city was made the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki.

Footnotes