Comprehensive List of All Igbo Speaking States in Nigeria

 
Igbo Speaking States in Nigeria
Igbo is one of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Igbo states are usually located in the South Eastern region of Nigeria. 
Igbos are known to be very creative and lucrative when it comes to business as they are highly talented.
In this post, we will discuss the comprehensive list of all Igbo speaking States in Nigeria which are usually found in the South Eastern part of this country.

Below is a list of Igbo Speaking States in Nigeria:

1. Imo State
Imo state has a slogan called "Eastern Heartland" and also known to be central Igbo. The name Imo State was gotten from Imo river, one of the major rivers in Nigeria.
In terms of politics, Imo state has noticable politicians such as Sam Mbakwe, former Governor of Old Imo State; Evan Enwerem, former President of the Senate; Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Founder of Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Now Heartland Football Club); Emeka Ihedioha, former Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives; and Samuel Anyanwu, Former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Imo East Constituency.

Imo State is also classified as one of the richest states in Nigeria and known to be among oil producing states in Nigeria. The State has within it 163 oil wells at 12 different locations making it a host top petroleum companies such as Chevron Corporation, Addax Petroleum, Agip and Royal Dutch Shell. 
Aside oil, the state is also blessed with an abundance of mineral resources.

2. Anambra State
This state is one of the most popular state among the five pure Igbo speaking states in Nigeria and Awka is the capital. The name Anambra was derived from of the longest river in Nigeria called River Anambra.
The state is endorse with many goodies, talented people, reputable people such as Ojukwu Odumegu, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Peter Obi e.t.c.
It has one of the largest markets in Nigeria and also a seaport due to the River Niger that passes through it.

The state is home to many billionaires in Nigeria  and also has the most important indigenous vehicle manufacturing and assembling company, Innoson Motors located at Nnewi. 
Academically, the state is also blessed with reputable tertiary institutions such as Odumegwu Ojukwu University formally Anambra state university, Nnamdi Azikiwe University situated at Awka and others.

3. Abia State
Abia State is among the pure five Igbo language speaking states in Nigeria. This state was formed out from Imo state in the year 1991. It has its capital at Umuahia. Abia become popular due to their nationally and internationally made shoes.
This state is one of the Igbo oil producing located at the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

4. Enugu State
Enugu State is one of the best Igbo States with good roads and a serene atmosphere to live and work in. The state was carved out from Anambra State in 1991, it houses the famous University of Nigeria with campuses in Nsukka and Enugu, the State capital. UNN is one of the five most reputed universities in Nigeria.

Enugu State is famous for an abundance of coal and it is no surprise that it is known by its slogan, “Coal City State”. The Capital City, Enugu was the capital of the Eastern Region after Nigeria got her independence from Great Britain in 1960. Enugu was also the capital of the short-lived Republic of Biafra, giving it a status as the “capital of Igboland.” After Enugu was captured by the Nigerian armed forces, the Biafran capital was moved to Umuahia. Owerri was the last capital of Biafraland before it fell.

Important cities in Enugu State include Enugu, Nsukka, Agbani and Awgu and prominent schools in the state apart from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka include Enugu State University of Science & Technology, Institute of Management and Technology, The Federal Cooperative College, Oji River; Enugu State College of Education Technical, Enugu to mention but a few. Some notable people from Enugu State include the following: Chiwetel Ejiofor, an international film actor; Zain Asher, CNN Newscaster and sister to Chiwetel; Ken Nnamani, Former President of the Nigerian Senate; Ike Ekweremadu, Former Deputy President of the Senate; Flavour N’abalia, Nigerian Musician, to mention but a few.

5. Ebonyi State
Ebonyi State is the last but not the least state on this list of Igbo speaking states. The state was carved out from parts of Abia and Enugu States in 1996. Its capital and major city is Abakaliki. The State is one of the fastest developing states in the south-east with good road networks in the capital city. Other notable cities in the state include Afikpo, Onueke, Onicha to mention but a few.

The popular Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo is situated in Ebonyi State. Some other education institutions located in the state include: Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, College of Health Sciences, Ezzamgbo, Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu.

Notable Nigerians from the State include Akanu Ibiam, Former Governor of the Eastern Region; Anyim Pius Anyim, Former Senate President of Nigeria to mention but a few.

CONCLUSION
So far we have discussed the pure five Igbo speaking states in Nigeria collectively called the Igbo land. However, aside these five states, we also have the native Igbo language speakers across the country like some parts in Delta State mostly referred to as Delta Ibos and others just to mention but few.