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Ebonyi State
Overview
Ebonyi (Igbo: Alaọha Ebonyi) is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north and northeast by Benue State, Enugu State to the west, Cross River State to the east and southeast, and Abia State to the southwest. Named after the Abonyi (Aboine) River—a large part of which is in the state's south—Ebonyi State was formed from parts of Abia and Enugu state in 1996 and has its capital in Abakaliki.
One of the smallest states of Nigeria, Ebonyi is the 33rd largest in area and 29th most populous with an estimated population of nearly 2.9 million as of 2016. Geographically, the state is divided between the Cross–Niger transition forests in the far south and the drier Guinean forest–savanna mosaic in the rest of the state. The other important geographical features are the Cross River and its tributary, the River Aloma, which flow along Ebonyi's southeastern and eastern borders, respectively; while fellow Cross River tributaries, the Abonyi (Aboine), Asu, and Eze Aku rivers run through the state's interior. There are other smaller rivers like Ichelle and igbe which also form boundaries between Benue and Ebonyi States to the West.
After independence in 1960, the area of present Ebonyi was a part of the post-independence Eastern Region until 1967 when the region was split and the area became part of the East Central State. Less than two months afterwards, the former Eastern Region attempted to secede in the three-year long Nigerian Civil War with Ebonyi as a part of the secessionist state of Biafra. At the war's end and the reunification of Nigeria, the East Central State was reformed until 1976 when the state's north became Anambra State and the south became Imo State. Fifteen years afterwards, Anambra and Imo states were divided with their eastern parts becoming Enugu State and Abia State, respectively. It was not until 1996, when Enugu State's east and Abia's northeast were split off and joined to form Ebonyi State.
Economically, Ebonyi State is based around agriculture, mainly of yams, rice, oil palm, and cassava crops. A key minor industry is mining due to lead, zinc, and limestone deposits around Abakaliki, and locally hand-made baskets of various sizes at Ntezi. Ebonyi has the joint-twentieth highest Human Development Index in the country and numerous institutions of tertiary education.
Facts
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Source
WBP almanac
External sources
Media
From Wikipedia1,739 words
WBP editorial3
Beyond the capital: Exploring Abakaliki’s market rhythm
While most guides skim the state’s political outline, the day‑to‑day pulse of Abakaliki unfolds in its bustling markets. Early mornings see traders from neighbouring villages converging with fresh produce—cassava, yams and the region’s famed palm oil—displayed on woven mats. Expect haggling to be a performance, with traders using proverbs in Igbo to seal deals. A quick detour to the lesser‑known Okwu market reveals hand‑crafted pottery that doubles as functional art, and the occasional street‑side performance by local musicians. Engaging with stall‑holders over a cup of thick, locally brewed tea offers insight into agricultural cycles that still dominate the state’s economy.
The mineral heartland: A practical guide to Ebonyi’s quarry tours
Ebonyi’s moniker as the "Salt of the Nation" hints at its rich mineral veins, yet most visitors miss the opportunity to observe the extraction process firsthand. Arranged through community cooperatives, short tours of small‑scale lead‑zinc mines near Okposi provide a grounded perspective on how local labour adapts traditional methods with modest mechanisation. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, bring a mask for dust, and bring cash for modest guide fees that support families directly. The experience is less about spectacle and more about understanding how mineral revenues flow back into schooling initiatives and basic health clinics in surrounding villages.