Abia

Abia State is a small but densely populated state in south-eastern Nigeria, the heartland of the Igbo people. Its capital, Umuahia, was the headquarters of the Biafran government during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), and the city's War Museum is a key memorial to that conflict. The state's largest city and commercial hub is Aba, known as the "Japan of Africa" for its enormous informal manufacturing sector — from shoes and bags to textiles and furniture, Aba's Ariaria International Market is one of West Africa's largest. Abia State is also home to Arochukwu, the historic centre of the Aro Confederacy (a powerful Igbo commercial and oracular network) and the site of the Long Juju slave trade shrine. The state is named after the four main Igbo groups that make up its population: the Aro, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Ada (Ohafia).

The dry season (November–March) is best. The rainy season (April–October) brings daily downpours. The Arochukwu Long Juju Festival (December–January) is a major cultural event.

The Enugu–Port Harcourt highway (A3) bisects the state. Aba is the major transport hub — buses connect to Lagos (8 hrs), Port Harcourt (2 hrs), Enugu (2 hrs), and Umuahia (45 mins). Keke tricycles and taxis are the main local transport. The Aba–Umuahia railway has limited passenger service.

• Umuahia — the state capital, with the Biafran War Museum and the National Museum of Colonial History
• Aba — the commercial powerhouse, home to the Ariaria International Market (one of West Africa's largest markets)
• Arochukwu — the historic centre of the Aro Confederacy, with the Long Juju slave trade shrine and the Arochukwu Caves
• Ohafia — a town known for the Ohafia War Dance, a famous Igbo cultural performance
• Abiriba — a town known as the "Switzerland of Abia" for its hilly terrain and the Abiriba Palace
• Bende — a town in the north, a traditional Igbo settlement with the Bende Market
• Isuikwuato — the headquarters of Isuikwuato LGA, known for agricultural production
• Uzuakoli — a town with the Uzuakoli Leprosy Colony, a historic medical settlement
• Alayi — a rural town in the south, an agricultural centre
• Igbere — a town in the north-east, known for the Igbere Palace
• Umudike — the home of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
• Uturu — a town with the Uturu caves and the Abia State University campus
• Nkporo — a historic Igbo settlement with the Nkporo Palace
• Item — a community in the Bende area, known for traditional Igbo culture
• Ikwuano — the headquarters of Ikwuano LGA, an agricultural area

Abia's cuisine is classic Igbo: Nkwobi (spicy cow foot), Ugba (oil bean salad), Abacha (cassava African salad), and Oha Soup with Pounded Yam. The Ariaria Market in Aba has excellent street food.

The Long Juju Festival (Arochukwu) commemorates the Aro Confederacy's oracular traditions. The Ohafia War Dance is a famous Igbo warrior dance performed at festivals. The Ikeji Festival (Arochukwu, December–January) is a major masquerade festival.

• Visit the Biafran War Museum in Umuahia — the most important memorial to the Nigerian Civil War
• Ariaria International Market in Aba — see one of West Africa's largest and most informal manufacturing hubs
• Arochukwu Caves and Long Juju Shrine — the historic slave trade oracle site in a dramatic cave system