Anambra State
Anambra | |
|---|---|
| Nicknames: | |
| Anthem: "With All Our Hearts, We Pray and Ask" | |
Location of Anambra in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 6°20′N 7°00′E / 6.333°N 7.000°E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Capital | Awka |
| Government | |
| • Body | Government of Anambra State |
| • Governor | Charles Chukwuma Soludo (APGA) |
| • Deputy Governor | Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim (APGA) |
| • Legislature | Anambra State House of Assembly |
| • Chief Judge | Justice Onochie Anyachebelu |
| • Senators | C: Victor Umeh (LP) N: Tony Nwoye (LP) S: Vacant |
| Area | |
• Total | 4,844 km2 (1,870 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 35 of 36 |
| Population (2006 census)1 | |
• Total | 4,177,821 |
• Estimate (2022) | 6,953,500 |
| • Rank | 9 of 36 |
| • Density | 860/km2 (2,200/sq mi) |
| Demonyms | Ndi Anambra, Anambrarians |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| • Year | 2021 |
| • Total | $33.26 billion 12th of 36 |
| • Per capita | $5,231 6th of 36 |
| Time zone | UTC+01 (WAT) |
| postal code | 420001 |
| Dialing Code | +234 |
| ISO 3166 code | NG-AN |
| Language | Igbo English |
| HDI (2022) | 0.674 medium · 6th of 37 |
| Website | Official website |
| ^1 Preliminary results | |
Anambra (Igbo: Ọra Anambra) is a state in Nigeria. It is located in the South-eastern region of the country. The state was created on 27 August 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State and Rivers State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. The state's capital is Awka, while the state’s largest city is Onitsha which is regarded as one of the largest metropolises in Africa. Nnewi is the second largest commercial and industrial city in Anambra State, and also a known automobile hub within Nigeria and Africa.
The state name was inherited from the former Anambra State, a territory that consisted of the present day Enugu State, Anambra State and parts of Ebonyi State. The old Anambra State was formed in 1976 from the former East Central State. The state is named after Omambala River, a river that runs through the state. Anambra is the anglicized form of Omambala. The State capital is Awka. The city of Onitsha, a historic port city from the pre-colonial era, remains an important centre of commerce within the state,while Nnewi is the second largest commercial and industrial city in the state.
Nicknamed the "Light of the Nation", Anambra State is the fourteenth most populous state in the nation, although that has seriously been argued against as Onitsha, the state's biggest and most populous urban area was discovered to be over 8.5 million in population in 2022 by Africapolis which makes Onitsha one of the largest urban areas in Nigeria by population. 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. Residents of Anambra State are primarily Igbo, with the Igbo language serving as a lingua franca throughout the state.
During the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), Anambra State was part of the secessionist Republic of Biafra formed by Igbo nationalists. Anambra was severely affected by the war. Today, Anambra State is one of the most urbanized states in Nigeria.