How 20 Major Igbo Cities Got Their Names

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Most cities are named after people, historical events, important geographic locations, traditional beliefs, or even deities. In the case of Igbo cities and towns, they are mostly named after a geographical setting or a particular cultural or traditional heritage.

This article will explore about 20 major Igbo cities and towns, their meanings, and how they got their names. This covers not only the Southeast region of Nigeria but beyond.

Enugu

Enugu is the state’s capital that shares its name and is one of the Igbo cities built by the colonial power. The city served as the capital of the Old Anambra and Eastern Nigeria and later became the capital of Biafra. Today, it is considered the de-facto capital of the South Eastern region of Nigeria.

Enugu’s name is derived from its topography, which is hilly and mountainous. The city was founded in 1904 when coal was discovered in the area, and its name comes from the Igbo word “Enugwu,” which means “top of the hill.” This is because of the hills and mountains scattered throughout the region.

Onitsha

Onitsha is often referred to as the economic hub of the South Eastern region of Nigeria. This is because it is home to the largest market in West Africa, both in terms of size and volume of goods sold.

The word “Onitsha” is a corruption of the Igbo word “Onicha”. The city was named after the famous “Mmili Onicha”, also known as the River Niger.

Read this – Onitsha vs Nnewi, contrasting the commercial towns in Anambra State

Orlu

Orlu is the second most developed city in Imo State and one of the fastest-growing cities in the southeastern region of Nigeria. The name Orlu originates from the Igbo word ‘Olu’ or ‘Ulu’ which means “the second child” and can refer to either a male or female child, although the female reference is more common.

This name “Olu”, “Ulu”, or “Orlu” as it is now known, signifies the city’s status as the second established (or second-born) city in Imo State.

Okigwe

Okigwe is the third largest city in Imo State. The name means “skilled in metal works”, as agriculture and metal work are the main occupations of the Okigwe people.

Awka

Awka is an Igbo settlement that has a great historical background and is considered one of the oldest cradles of Igbo civilization. The name “Awka” is actually an English corruption of the original Igbo name “Oka”. The Ifiteana people, who were the early settlers of the area, worshipped a deity called “Okika na-ube” (Oka na-ube), which was renowned for its spear.

The Ifiteana people were then named “Umu Okanube”, which means “children or worshippers of Oka na-ube”. Interestingly, “Oka” is also an Igbo term for a blacksmith, which was the Ifiteana people’s major occupation, in addition to farming. It is from this that the name Awka was derived.

Related – Where to have fun in Awka

Nnewi

The city of Nnewi, located in Anambra State, is an industrious and commercial center that has been self-made. The name Nnewi is derived from the word “Ewi,” which is considered sacred by the people of Nnewi. It is said that the Ewi led them to their current location when they left the Aguleri area and protected them on their journey. It is strictly forbidden to kill or eat the Ewi in Nnewi to this day.

The name Nnewi translates to “mother of Ewi,” and the people of Nnewi are also known as Anaedo, which means the land of gold. This name is derived from the primary deity of the Nnewi people, a goddess named Edo.

Read this – Why you should set your startup in Nnewi

Arochukwu

Arochukwu, located in Igboland, is a historically significant town and the third-largest city in Abia State. The Aro people, who are an integral part of the Igbo community, have a fascinating origin story. They are believed to have originated from the Ibibio group, who arrived from Southern Cameroon and intermixed with the Igbo people. The true meaning of the term ‘Aro’ is still up for debate. Some believe it was named after their King, Eze Aro, while others suggest it means People (Aro) of God (Chukwu).

Related – Power and reach of ancient Aro

Agbor

There are multiple oral accounts of the story behind the formation of Agbor. According to one of these accounts, the founder of Agbor, initially called Ominije, was named Omini. He originally came from Aguleri and was known as Omini Eze Ije, which means “Omini the king of Travel”. Later, the town was renamed Agbor, a term from the Igbo language that means lineage.

Asaba

Asaba is currently the capital of Delta State and it is located in Oshimili Local Government Area of Delta State. The founder of Asaba was named Nnebisi, and the original name of the town was ‘Ahaba’ or ‘Ahabam’ which means “I have chosen well” in the founder’s dialect.

The British who came into contact with the people of Ahaba later changed the name to Asaba for better pronunciation and ease of use.

Read this – All factories in Asaba ranked

Umuahia

Umuahia is the capital city of Abia State, Nigeria. The name has its roots in the Igbo language and is derived from the term “Ama Ahia”, which translates to “market square” or “marketplace”. Over time, the name evolved from Amaahia to Umuahia, which means “Children of the market”. This name change was influenced by various factors.

Related – The best schools in Umuahia ranked

Aba

Aba is a bustling commercial city located in the southeastern part of the country. It is widely regarded as the second or third most commercially competitive city in the region, depending on who you ask and whether or not they consider Nnewi as a contender. Aba derives its name from the Aba River and is predominantly inhabited by the Ngwa people.

Read this – Besides shoes, what and what else is Aba known for?

Abakaliki

Initially, the capital of the Ogoja province and now the capital of Ebonyi State, Abakaliki was initially known as “Aba Nkaleke” which is named after Nkaleke, an important community in Izzi land.

Abakiliki has enjoyed a rapid transformation since it was made a seat of government. For instance, when the Old Abia State was considered, four contributed to its name. Abakaliki was not one of them and this was just in 1991.

Related – Five really good schools in Ebonyi State

 

Nsukka

There is a legend that the current people habiting Nsukka migrated from Igala and were led by one Asadu who was the Prince of an Igala town. Initially, he was in the good books of the king at Igala but when they fell out, he advised his sons to flee and they eventually got to Nsukka.

The first son settled at the place currently called Okpuje, the other at Obukpa, the third at Eha Alumona and the last at the present location of Nsukka town formerly called Ideke.

Read this – Five awesome places to propose to your lover in Nsukka

Owerri

This is the largest city in Imo State and one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the whole of the Southeast geopolitical region. The term Owerri is the corruption of the word “Owerre”.

Read this – Top places to have fun in Owerri

According to legends, the founder of Owerri is Ekwem Oha whose mother’s name is Arugo. Another legend says that Arelle a son of Eri founded Owerri and that the name Owerri is the corruption of the word Obi-Arelle.

Afikpo

Still one of the ancient Igbo cities, Afikpo was initially known as Ehugbo. According to myths, the first people that inhabited Afikpo were called the Egu and they were very skilled in crafts and other handworks.

Port Harcourt

is the fourth or fifth biggest city in Nigeria, depending on whether which of Benin City and Port Harcourt you feel is bigger. Only Lagos, Kano, and Ibadan are definitely bigger.

Named Igweocha in its local tongue it was named Port Harcourt, in 1913, by Lord Lugard, named after a British colonial Lewis Vernon Harcourt, who was the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Oji River

is a town in the southernmost part of Enugu State, located in a local government area named after it. It is a town whose people are closely related to the people of old Aguata in Anambra State.

Known for its famous leprosy rehabilitation settlements and a now-abandoned power station, the town is named after one of the major rivers in the Enugu-Anambra axis

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