Anambra State

Anambra State (Igbo: Ọ̀hà Ọmambala) is one of the 36 States of Nigeria, located in the southeastern region of the country. Formed in 1976 from the former East Central State, the state is named after the Anambra River. The state capital is Awka, a rapidly growing city that increased in population from approximately 300,000 to 2.5 million between 2006 and 2018. The city of Onitsha, a historic port city from the pre-colonial era, remains an important center of commerce within the state.

Nicknamed the “Light of the Nation”, Anambra State is the eighth most populous state in the nation, despite being the second smallest in area. The area currently known as Anambra State has been the site of numerous civilizations since at least the 9th century AD, including the ancient Kingdom of Nri, whose capital was the historic town of Igbo-Ukwu within the state. An estimated 98% of residents of Anambra State are Igbo,[4][5] with the Igbo language serving as a lingua franca throughout the state.[6]

During the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), Anambra State was part of the secessionist Republic of Biafra formed by Igbo nationalists. During the war, Anambra State was afflicted by a severe famine, which devastated much of the population.[7][8] Today, Anambra State is a highly urbanized state,[9] and has made major strides in reducing its poverty rate.[10]

The name Anambra is the anglicized version of the river Ọmambala, the Igbo name of the Anambra River which flows through the state as the colonialists could not perfectly pronounce the name of the river.