South East · Capital: Abakaliki
Ebonyi State
Governor: Francis Nwifuru
Population
2,176,947
Land area
5,935 km²
Created
October 1, 1996
Governance
Barr. Francis Ogbonnia Nwifuru (APC) has served as Governor of Ebonyi State since 29 May 2023, succeeding Dave Umahi (who joined the Federal Executive Council as Minister of Works). A former Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, his administration has continued the state's focus on road infrastructure and rice production.
History
Ebonyi State was created on 1 October 1996 from parts of the former Abia and Enugu States, under the military regime of General Sani Abacha. Nicknamed the 'Salt of the Nation,' it takes its name from the Aboine (Ebonyi) River. The state's capital, Abakaliki, has historically been one of Nigeria's leading rice-producing centres.
Natural Resources
Lead-zinc
Deposits identified in several LGAs, part of the state's broader solid minerals potential.
Tourism
Known primarily for its agricultural landscape and salt lake heritage rather than large-scale tourist infrastructure.
- Ebonyi salt lake, Uburu
- Ntezi caves
Agriculture
One of Nigeria's leading rice-producing states, supporting the Abakaliki rice milling cluster alongside cassava, yam, and palm oil production.
Rice · Cassava · Yam · Oil palm
Investment
Rice milling and processing remain the state's dominant agro-industrial activity, alongside solid minerals including lead-zinc deposits identified in several LGAs.
Rice production & milling · Agro-processing · Solid minerals
Infrastructure
Education
Ebonyi State University · Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike