The movement demanding the creation of Aba State has persisted for a longer duration than many other proposals for new Nigerian states, most of which have already been established.
The proposed state has been selected twice, in 2015 and 2018, by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the top socio-cultural organization for the Igbo people. Committees set up by Ohanaeze in those years voted for Aba State to be the sixth state created in the South East region.
A Timeline of the Long Struggle
The effort to establish Aba State spans over a century:
• 1915: The British colonial administration recognized the Asa, Ndoki, and Ngwa peoples (collectively, the Ukwa na Ngwa people) and grouped them into the Aba Division within Owerri Province.
• 1927: The campaign for a distinct political entity began.
• 1957: The request for Aba State was formally presented to the Willink Commission.
• 1982-1983: The demand for Aba State was resubmitted to the National Assembly.
• On June 16, 1983, the National Assembly recommended a referendum for the creation of Aba State (as documented in the National Assembly Debate records). However, this planned referendum was halted by the military coup on December 31, 1983. Notably, several other states recommended alongside Aba in 1983—including Adamawa, Jigawa, Katsina, Kogi, Taraba, and Enugu—have since been created, leaving Aba as the exception.
• Ongoing Advocacy: The Aba State Movement has made submissions to various state creation committees and national conferences in numerous years: 1988, 1996, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2021, 2024, and 2025.
• 2012: The South East Governors Forum reviewed state creation proposals, concluding that the demand for Aba State was “very distinct and unassailable.”
• 2015: Following a recommendation for a new state in the South East by the National Political Reform Conference, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Committee formed to address the issue recommended only Aba State.
• 2018: A similar committee established by Ohanaeze Ndigbo and chaired by Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, OFR, also recommended Aba State.
The Aba State Movement has actively built support, including:
• Between 2009 and 2010, the Movement visited 21 states and secured the signatures of State House of Assembly members, fulfilling constitutional requirements.
• The Movement has gained the support of prominent traditional rulers nationwide, including the Ooni of Ife, the Emir of Bauchi, and the Emir of Daura.
• Aba is noted for its diversity, with the history of its administrators and councilors showing representation from all parts of Igboland.
🌟 Unique Advantages of the Proposed Aba State
The proposal for Aba State is considered unique due to several specific characteristics:
• Homogeneity: The communities making the demand share a common background.
• Key Endorsements: The proposal has been approved twice by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Committees.
• Past National Approval: The National Assembly approved a referendum for the state in 1983.
• Persistence: The demand has been maintained through decades.
• Geographical and Demographic Strength: It boasts geographical contiguity, appropriate population size, and ample land for balanced development.
• Stable Boundaries: The proposed boundaries have remained unchanged over years of demand.
• Economic Environment: It offers a conducive setting for businesses and will enhance private investments.
• Regional Hub: It serves as a home base for nearly every family in the South East region.
📈 Reasons for Economic Viability
The proposed Aba State is highly viable due to its strong economic foundations and resources:
• Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): The state is expected to be financially self-sustaining. A 1998 Federal Government survey showed that the nine Local Government Areas comprising the proposed state generated the majority of Abia State’s IGR, a trend that has since improved.
• Agriculture: The area was central to the palm oil production that drove the former Eastern Region’s economy. Large palm oil plantations are located in areas like Ohambele Ndoki and Nbawsi.
• Commerce and Industry: Aba metropolis is a well-known commercial and industrial hub. It hosts major markets, like the Ariaria International Market (a key sub-regional market for West and Central Africa), and is home to the largest cluster of shoe and leather manufacturers in Nigeria. Aba residents are also skilled in various engineering fabrications (e.g., machines for oil pressing, drilling, and processing).
• Natural Resources (Oil, Gas, Solid Minerals): The area contains approximately 124 operational oil wells and is rich in oil and gas reserves. Ukwa West LGA, in particular, possesses some of the country’s highest-quality gas reserves. Solid minerals like zinc, uranium, lead, and gold are also present.
• Electricity: The Geometric Power Plant in Osisioma Ngwa LGA has enough capacity to provide uninterrupted electricity to the entire proposed state, which would significantly boost industrialization.
• Massive Manpower: The proposed state has a large population of skilled and unskilled labor, including professionals, academics, scientists, engineers, and artisans, forming a robust manpower base.
• Education and Research: The area hosts several institutions, including Rhema University, Veritas University, Clifford University, the National Institute for Nigerian Languages, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Abia State Polytechnic, and others, supporting a strong base for education and research.
The document concludes by emphasizing that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Committees confirmed Aba as the proposed sixth state for the South East a decade ago and re-affirmed this decision seven years ago.
The statement was signed by a large delegation representing the leadership of the Aba State Movement, including several current and former high-ranking political figures.
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