The Five Most Populous Local Government Areas In Ebonyi State

Famously known as the Salt of the Nation, Ebonyi State was one of the last states created in Nigeria, in 1996, and also the least populated state in South East, Nigeria. But the fact that its population is relatively small is not the full story. It has some of the most densely populated areas in the region. Which is what we would be doing today, highlighting the most populated local government areas.

Here are the most populated local government areas in the state.

Izzi 

Izzi is probably the most popular LGA in Ebonyi State owing to the fact the indigenes are scattered across the country. They are the most populous LGA in the state.

The Izzi Local government area accounts for the highest number of electoral votes in the state with a population of 236,679 according to the official 2006 census, while a population projection in 2016 estimated the population to be around 313,200.

The local government area has its headquarters located at Iboko, a commercial market that was said to have been very prominent during the time of old Ebonyi. The market capacity of Iboko was such that it was a center for other neighboring local governments. 

The Izzi LGA is known as one of the agricultural centers in Ebonyi, their agricultural products include yams, cassava, rice, and palm oil, and palm kernels. It is also known for its local lead, zinc, salt, and limestone mining or quarrying.

Villages that make up Izzi LGA include Abaja, Igbeagu, Mgbala ukwu, Ndieze, Ezzinyi Magu, Edukpachi, Ohuruekpe, and Okpoduma.

Onicha 

With a little less than a hundred, Onicha is the second most populated local government area in Ebonyi State. As of the last official population census, Onicha LGA has a population of 236,609 residents while the population projection of 2016 places it at 313,100.

Onicha Local Government Area is made up of Isu, Oshiri, Onicha, Ukawu, and Abaomega, with headquarters in the town of Isu with an area of 476 km2. 

A number of festivals are held in Onicha LGA and these include the Oke Aku festival while the notable landmarks in the LGA include the Community Secondary School Agunkwo.

Onicha LGA has a very rich agricultural heritage with crops such as rice, yam, cassava, and maize grown in large quantities within the area. The LGA also has a boisterous trade sector with the area hosting several markets which include the Abaomege Central Market where a variety of commodities are bought and sold. The people of Onicha LGA also engage in enterprises such as hunting and crafts making.

Ikwo

With a population of 214,969 in 2006 and a population projection estimate of 284,400, Ikwo local government area is easily the third most populated LGA in Ebonyi State.

Ikwo local government area is the largest LGA in the state with a landmass of approximately 500 square kilometers bordered by Abakiliki, Izzi, Ezzi, and Cross Rivers State. Ikwo LGA is made up of these towns and villages: Agubia, Echara ukwu, Eka Awoke, Ameri, Ohankwu, Ekpelu Umuaka, Okpu Itumo, and Otagbara. 

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It has headquarters in Onu-Ebonyi Echara. Ikwo LGA is known as the community host of the two tertiary education schools including the Ebonyi state college of Education Ndufu Echara and the Federal University Ndufu Alike.

Like every other community in Ebonyi State, Ikwo local government area is known as a  farming area cultivating crops such as rice, yam, cassava, and palm wine in large quantities. Mineral resources such as limestone, lead, salt, and laterite are found in the area. 

Ohaukwu

The Ohakwu local government area is one of the most populated areas in Ebonyi state. It has a population of 195,555 at the time of the last officially conducted census in Nigeria while a population projection estimated it to be around 258,700 in 2016.

Ohaukwu LGA has its headquarters in the town of Izhiangbo, consisting of several villages such as Ammofia Mgbo, Ezzamgbo, Umugudu, Umuogudu Oshia, Okposi Eheku, Effium, Ekwashi Mgbo, and Okposi Mgbo.

Ohaukwu is most known as a location for one of the Ebonyi State University Campuses.

Afikpo South

Referred to by the indigenes as Eddaland, Afikpo South is one of the LGA known in Ebonyi State. It falls fifth on the list of most populous local government areas in the state, Afikpo South has an estimated population of 157,542 at the time of the 2006 census and a population projection of 208,400 in 2016.

Afikpo South was created from the old Afikpo local government area in 1991 with headquarters at Nguzu Edda and comprises several towns and villages which include Ebuwana Edda, Ekoli Edda, Oso Edda, Ogbu Edda, and Etiti Edda. 

The LGA is bordered by Unwana to the east; Akaeze to the west, Amasiri to the north, Afikpo to the north-east, Ohafia to the south, Nkporo to the southwest, and Erei to the south-east.

Afikpo South LGA covers a total area of 378 squared KM.

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