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Aba, Nigeria

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Aba is a major urban settlement and commercial hub in southeastern Nigeria. It is located in Abia State along the west bank of the Aba River. The city serves as a vital intersection for several important roads. These routes connect Aba to other cities like Port Harcourt, Owerri, Umuahia, Ikot Ekpene, and Ikot-Abasi. As of 2016, the city had an estimated population of 2,534,265 people. This large population makes Aba the biggest city in southeastern Nigeria. It is surrounded by a landscape of small towns and villages.

The history of Aba began with the Ngwa clan of the Igbo people. They originally established the location as a market town for local trade. In 1901, the British colonial administration changed the city's role by placing a military post there. This period included the Aro Expedition between 1901 and 1902. During this time, the British military acted to quell anti-colonial sentiment in the region. Following this, the British constructed a railway in 1915. This line connected Aba to Port Harcourt and helped transport agricultural products. These goods included palm oil and palm kernels.

A significant historical event occurred in 1929 known as the Women's War. This was a revolt by Igbo women against colonial taxation policies. The protest began peacefully as a response to a census of women. People feared this census would lead to new taxes based on rumors. The situation became violent after a pregnant woman was knocked over during a scuffle. This event caused a rapid and violent reaction among the protesters. Eventually, a mass of 10,000 women marched on the city of Aba. Historical reports of deaths from this event range from 55 to over 100.

During the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, Aba became a very strategic location. The city was heavily bombed and subjected to air raids during the conflict. Following the war and the creation of Abia State in 1991, the city's administration changed. The old Aba township was divided into two local government areas: Aba South and Aba North. Other suburban areas like Obioma Ngwa were also divided into multiple administrative units. This was done to provide better administrative convenience for the growing population. Today, the city remains a center for many distinguished local families.

The economy of Aba is driven by intense trade and industrial production. It is a major commercial hub for eastern Nigeria. The Ariaria International Market is one of the city's most famous landmarks. It is the second largest market in Nigeria, following only the Onitsha Main Market. The city is well known for its skilled craftsmen and various handicrafts. Major industries include textiles, palm oil, pharmaceuticals, plastics, cement, and cosmetics. Aba is also surrounded by oil wells and receives gas via a pipeline from the Imo River natural gas repository.

Religion is a central part of life in Aba. The city has been an important center for Christian evangelism since the British arrived. The Church Mission Society, an arm of the Church of England, played a large role. In 1896, three oil traders named Joseph, Gabriel, and Zedekiah Cookey sailed the Aba River. They negotiated for land to trade oil and helped spread Christianity to the Abayi and Umuocham people. The city hosts many different denominations, including the Methodist Church and the Catholic Church. Notably, Aba was the site of the first stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Africa outside of South Africa in 1988. The city is also home to the Aba Nigeria Temple.

Daily life in Aba is characterized by high energy and movement. Because it is a massive transport hub, many people use coaches to travel. Within the city, commercial tricycles called Keke and minibuses are popular for transport. Sports also play a major role in the local culture. Enyimba F.C., known as "The Peoples Elephant," is a very successful association football club. The club has won two CAF Champions League trophies and nine Nigeria Premier League titles. The climate in Aba is tropical, meaning it stays warm most of the year. It experiences significant rainfall, which is classified under the Köppen Am system.

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