Ikwuano is a Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in Isiala Oboro. The name 'Ikwuano' etymologically indicates that there are four different ancient kingdoms that make up the community called Ikwuano. These include Oboro, Ibere, Ariam/Usaka and Oloko.
The postal code of the area is 440. It is one of the five Local Government Areas that make up the Abia Central Senatorial District. As of 2024, the executive chairman is Dr. Anthony Nzeribe Nwaubani. Obi Aguocha currently serves as the Federal Representative representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives. The member representing Ikwuano State Constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly is Engr. Boniface Isienyi.
History The present Ikwuano Local Government Area was part of the Bende Division in the then Southern Province created by the British Colonial Government as part of their "Divide and Rule" system of government and administration towards the beginning of the 19th Century. This was as early as the time Calabar was the capital of Nigeria.
When the Southern province was further divided, Ikwuano still remained part of the Bende Division. The present Bende town was the administrative headquarters where the District Commissioner resided. The District Commissioner, Nwa D.C., as he was known and called held courts at Bende and Oloko. At this time what was later carved out as Aba Division was part of the Bende Division, under the jurisdiction of Nwa D. C. The present Umuahia township later replaced Bende as the administrative headquarters after the extension of the Nigerian rail line from Port-Harcourt to Enugu between 1915 and 1916.
Ikwuano Local Government Area was among the new local government areas that were created on 27 August 1991 when the General Ibrahim Babangida's Administration created Abia State from the old Imo State. It was carved out of the defunct Ikwuano-Umuahia of the Old Imo State.
Women's War of 1929 The Aba Women's Riot began in Oloko. The demonstration occurred when thousands of women of Igbo origin from Bende, Umuahia, Owerri and other regions in the South East made the trip to Oloko, one of the four principal communities of Ikwuano. The cause of this movement was due to the worry that a new taxation plan was being implemented that would demand women, most especially widows, to pay taxes which they were not mandated to pay earlier on.
Culture Ikwuano is known for cultures and arts which include Ekpe, which is usually in January in the different Ikwuano communities coinciding with their respective market days, New Yam (Iri-Ji) and Afo Amaghi Onuma festivals. Their cultural dances are Eketensi Ritual dance, Oro, Ikperikpeogu (War Dance), Uko and so on. They also have Oba and Ekpe societies. Popular delicacies in Ikwuano include Ofe Achara, Ukazi Soup and Ugwu Soup. The predominant languages spoken in Ikwuano are Igbo and English languages. The four clans speak distinct Igbo dialects though mutually intelligible. Ikwuano brides are known to have some of the costliest bride prices in Igboland. Traditional marriages are held in high esteem.
Geography It has an area of 281 km. It lies between the latitudes 5 24lN and 5 30lN and between the longitudes of 7 32lE and 7 37lE.
It borders Umuahia North and Bende to its north, Umuahia South and Isiala- Ngwa North to its west, Ini to the east and Obot-Akara to the south.
Demographics The population of Ikwuano during the 2006 census was 137,993. As at 2015, it increased to 175,078. The area is inhabited primarily by the Igbo people.
Climate It experiences an average weather temperature of 28 °C. The area witnesses two distinct seasons which are the rainy and dry seasons. The average humidity level is put at 62%.
Ikwuano is in the humid forest zone of Nigeria. The Local Government Area has an average rainfall of 2351 mm, average minimum diurnal temperature of and relative humidity range between 80 and 90%.
Economy & Agriculture The vegetation of the area is predominantly lowland rainforest, which makes it suitable for growing yam, cassava, maize, cashew and ginger. This has led to the area becoming the food basket of Abia State.
Farming is one of the key economic activities of the Ikwuano people. The area also hosts a number of markets where a variety of commodities are bought and sold. They include Ahia Ndoro and the Ariam Market. In fact, Ikwuano is situated in the palm belt of Eastern Nigeria. Other important economic engagements of the Ikwuano people are hunting, craftsmanship and wood carving.
Villages grouped according to clans The four clans of Ikwuano have a total of 58 villages. They are listed as follows:
+ Clan Village Ariam/Usaka Amaegbu, Ariam Ala-Ala, Ariam Elu-Elu, Azunchai, Ekpiri Ala-Ala, Ekpiri Elu-Elu, Ekwelu, Ndieke, Ndiokoro, Ndiorie, Obugwu, Obeama, Oboni, Upa, Usaka Ukwu Ibere Amuro, Elemaga, Iberenta, Ihim, Inyila, Isiala Ibere, Itunta, Iyalu, Nkalunta, Ngwugwo, Obuohia, Obuoru, Umuemenike, Umulu Oboro Ahuwa, Amaoba Ikputu, Amaoba Ime, Amawom, Aro Ajatakiri, Aro Ayama, Ekebedi, Isiala Oboro, Ndoro, Nnono, Ntalakwu, Obukwu, Ogbuebulle, Okwe, Umuariaga, Umudike, Umugbalu, Umuigu, UmuokwoOloko Ahaba, Akanu Nchara, Amizi, Awomukwu, Azuiyi, Etoruo Nchara, Obuohia Okike, Oloko, Umugo, Usaka Eleogu
Autonomous communities Villages in Ikwuano are constitutionally placed under 43 autonomous communities, each autonomous community is led by an Eze. + Autonomous Community Village(s) Abaa Ukwu Amaoba IkputuAfa Etoruo NcharaAfa Ukwu Akanu NcharaAgbalu Ozu UmugbaluAgbo Ibere ElemagaAgumba EkweluAhaba Ukwu AhabaAhuwa Oboro AhuwaAjata Na Igu Umuigu, Aro AjatakiriAla-Ala Oboro Ogbuebulle, EkebediAmanchai Azunchai, ObeamaAmaoba Ime Amaoba ImeAriam Ala-Ala Ariam Ala-AlaAriam Osoigwe Ariam Elu-Elu, NdiorieAwom Na Ebo Umuariaga, UmuokwoAwom Na Uzie AmiziAwom Oboro AmawomAwomukwu AwomukwuEkpiri Onyeike Ekpiri Ala-AlaEkpiri Osoaji Ekpiri Elu-EluIbere Ancient Kingdom Ngwugwo, UmuluIbeuzo Ukwu AmawomIkemba Oboni, Ndieke, Ndiokoro, UpaIkputu Oboro Amaoba IkputuIsiala Ahaba AhabaIsiama Oboro Isiala Oboro, ObukwuNtalakwu Oboro NtalakwuObi Ibere Obuohia, UmuemenikeObuohia Okike Obuohia OkikeOkwe Ukwu OkweOloko Azuiyi, Oloko, Umugo, Usaka EleoguOro Ibere Iberenta, IyaluOruigwe NnonoOru Oboro Ndoro, Aro AyamaOtu-Uzo Amuro, Nkalunta, IhimUgwuegbu Obugwu, AmaegbuUgwu Ibere Inyila, Isiala IbereUha-la-Uda NnonoUmuakoo Itunta, ObuoruUmuokeigbo UmuiguUmudike UmudikeUmudike Ukwu UmudikeUsaka Ukwu Usaka Ukwu
Traditional rulers Title Name Autonomous Community Eze Kwesiri I of Abaa Ukwu Eze HRM David Chukwuemeka Isinguzo Abaa Ukwu Chimere I of Etoruo Eze HRM N. Hart Agunaegbe (JP) AfaEze Oha III of Afa Ukwu Eze HRM Okeugo Okwuenyia Afa Ukwu Efuma II of Agbalu Ozu Eze HRM Justice Chino Uwaga Agbalu OzuAgbo I of Agbo Ibere Eze HRM Ifeanyi OluwaAgbo Ibere Agu I of Agumba Eze HRM Joseph Obaji AgumbaEze Ukwu I of Ahaba Ukwu Eze HRM Dr. Chimezie NwabuezeAhaba UkwuN/AVacantAhuwa OboroEze Onye Oruru I of Ajatanaigu Eze HRM Larry Ogbonnaya AgwuAjata Na IguEze Ala II of Ala-Ala OboroEze HRM Ezeji Uzu Analaba Ala-Ala OboroIgwebuike I of Amanchai Eze HRM Smart Bartholomew Ndukwe AmanchaiO'tuwa I of Amaoba Ime Eze HRM Emmanuel Nwankwo O'tuwaAmaoba ImeAla I of Ariam Ala-Ala Eze HRM Onyekwere Onwualimba Ariam Ala-AlaIgwe I of Ariam OsoigweEze HRM Daniel Adieze Gbufor Ariam OsoigweUgwuoha I of Awom Na Ebo Eze HRM Christopher Uzumgba EjirikaAwom Na EboEze Udo I of Awom Na UzieEze HRM Dr. Eugene Chimezie NdimeleAwom Na UzieAwom II of Awom Oboro Eze HRM Elder Chukwudike Ebila IronsiAwom Oboro N/A Vacant AwomukwuN/AVacantEkpiri OnyeikeEze Okpu II of Ekpiri OsoajiEze HRM Andrew Igbokwe EkpoEkpiri OsoajiEze Ugo I of Ibere Ancient KingdomEze HRM Williams Ugochukwu Ibere Ancient KingdomUzo II of Ibe UzoEze HRM Prof. Innocent C. EzealaIbeuzo UkwuN/AVacantIkembaIkputu I of Ikputu OboroEze HRM Chijioke ImoIkputu OboroAhaba II of Isiala Ahaba Eze HRM Charles Onorchie UkattahIsiala AhabaIsioha II of Isiama Eze HRM Prof. Sunday C. Ezeribe Isiama OboroApu I of Ntalakwu Eze HRM Prof. Samuel AjiriNtalakwu OboroObioma I of Obi IbereEze HRM Dr. Dickson I. OrjiObi IbereOkike I of Obuohia Okike Eze HRM Mgbeonyere C. Eleribe Obuohia OkikeN/AVacantOkwe UkwuOko II of Oloko Eze HRM Sir Sunday Nnamdi NwosuOlokoOro II of Oro IbereEze HRM Dr. Stanley Iroabuchi Ijenwa Oro IbereIgwebuike II of Oruigwe Eze HRM Chukwuemeka Elefuanya Ezeoma Oruigwe Oru I of Oru Onyerubi Eze HRM Ralph Ukachi Ogbonna Oru OboroUzo II of Otu-Uzo Eze HRM Chidi Hyacinth KaluOtu-UzoChimere I of Ugwuegbu Eze HRM Ambrose Obileche Nwagwu Ugwuegbu Ugwu I of Ugwu IbereEze HRM Prof. Ezeudo Samuel Ifenwanta Ugwu IbereUha I of Uha-la-Uda Eze HRM Chukwuemeka Aguocha Ukenye Uha-la-UdaAkoo II of UmuakooEze HRM Monday Unadindu Okoro UmuakooIgwebuike I of Umuokeigbo Eze HRM Valentine C. Ohunta UmuokeigboDike Oha II of Umudike Eze HRM Onyekwere Joseph AnyaegbuUmudike Dike Ukwu I of UmudikeEze HRM Benjamin Ogechimereze Oriaku Umudike UkwuEze Oha II of Usaka UkwuEze HRM Victor Peter Nwosu Usaka Ukwu
Executive Chairmen (1992-till date) + Tenure Name 1992-1995 Sir Chima Odomegbulam Onyemachi1995-1997 Promise Odinkemere1997-1999 Chief Uche Mpamah 1999-2003 Barr. Kevin Chima Ugboajah2003-2007 Barr. Kevin Chima Ugboajah2008-2010 Barr. Stanley Ojigbo2016-2018 Ezinne Ngozi Orji2020-2022 Chief Stephen Mpamugo 2024- Dr. Anthony Nzeribe Nwaubani
Educational Institutions Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Amadeus University, Amizi National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike Oboro Secondary School, Ikwuano Ikwuano Secondary School, Ariam Ibere Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Ahia Orie, Ibere Wesley Seminary, Ndoro OboroWesley Seminary Ndoro Oboro (Africabizinfo.com) National Teacher's Institute, Oboro Ikwuano Study Centre
Notable people Ashley Nwosu, Nollywood actor Justice Ferdinand Ukattah, first Chief Judge of Abia State Buchi Atuonwu, Nigerian reggae gospel artiste Adanma Okpara, wife of the first Premier of the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria; Michael Okpara Kenneth Omeruo, Nigerian footballer Christian Omeruo, Nigerian footballer Lucky Omeruo, Nigerian footballer Austin Akobundu, former Minister of State for Defence and Retired Colonel Pascal Atuma, Canadian-Nigerian actor, screenwriter, film producer, director, comedian and CEO/Chairman of TABIC Oscar Atuma, Canadian-Nigerian actor and film producer Godwin Nwabunka, Nigerian development expert & microfinance professional Nwanyeruwa, leader of the Aba Women's Riot of 1929 Sandie Okoro, British lawyer Frank Dallas, Nollywood actor Samson Omeruah, former Governor of Anambra State Jimmy Johnson, Nollywood actor Erica Nlewedim, Nigerian actress, model, entrepreneur and ex-BBN housemate Henry Ikoh, Nigerian politician Stanley Nwabuisi, Nigerian politician Rev (Fr.) Christian Anokwuru, pioneer Catholic Priest of Ikwuano Ogbonnaya Oji, ex-Biafran commander Chigul, Nigerian comedienne and actress Emeka Okoro, Nollywood actor and gospel artiste Atiwurcha Sylvanus, Nigerian politician Onyinyechi Mark, Nigerian powerlifter Brenda Ndukwe, Nollywood actress Emeka Atuma, Nigerian politician Ccioma, Nigerian gospel artiste and songwriter CJ Ujah, British athlete Paul Omeruo, former military administrator of Kogi State Augustine Ukattah, Nigerian politician Monday Ubani, ex-NBA vice president Onyinyechi Ironkwe, former Miss Niger Delta 2015/16 Johnbull Owoh, former Nigerian envoy to Brazil and Guinea Bissau Chris Nkulor, Nollywood actor Sir Sunday Nwosu, Nigerian activist and founder of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) Samuel Onuigbo, Nigerian politician Christian Dimkpa, PhD., first black Chief Agricultural Scientist and Head of Department at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven United States.
See also List of villages in Abia State
References