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Ebonyi State Government

The Salt of the Nation

A state shaped by people, enterprise and possibility.

Discover the history, communities, natural resources and cultural identity of Ebonyi State.

A view of Ebonyi State

About Ebonyi

The Salt of the Nation

Ebonyi State is a state of Nigeria in the south-eastern region. It is inhabited and populated primarily by the Igbo people. Its capital and largest city is Abakaliki. Created in 1996 from parts of Enugu and Abia States, Ebonyi is home to the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, and a growing network of communities, institutions and enterprises.

AbakalikiEbonyiIkwoIzziOnichaAfikpo NorthEzza NorthIshieluOhaozaraAfikpo SouthEzza SouthIvoOhaukwu

Ebonyi is primarily an agricultural region and a leading producer of rice, yam, potatoes, maize, beans and cassava. The state also has solid mineral resources, including lead, crude oil and natural gas. Its salt deposits at Okposi and Uburu inspired the name “Salt of the Nation”.

The state’s communities speak related Igbo languages including Afikpo, Mgbo, Izzi, Ezza, Edda, Ikwo, Kukele, Legbo, Mbembe, Okposi, Uburu and Oring. The New Yam Festival, masquerade traditions, dance, blacksmithing and pottery remain important expressions of Ebonyi identity.

Ebonyi people are predominantly Igbo, with other communities including Okpotos and Ntezis. The state covers about 5,935 square kilometres and shares boundaries with Benue, Enugu, Imo, Abia and Cross River States.