Afikpo North Local Government Area is the home of the Ehugbo people, better known simply as Afikpo. Long before Ebonyi State was created, Afikpo was already a major town and the headquarters of the old Afikpo Division, which then belonged to Abia State.
When Ebonyi State was created on 1 October 1996, Afikpo was transferred from Abia into the new state. This historical movement explains why Afikpo North and Afikpo South remain culturally connected to communities in present-day Abia State, even though they are now part of Ebonyi.
Afikpo North is located in Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone. It is bounded by Afikpo South to the south, Onicha to the west, and Cross River State to the east. Its headquarters is Afikpo town, also called Ehugbo, one of the oldest and most culturally distinct settlements in southern Ebonyi.
The Ehugbo people are known for their unique Afikpo dialect, age-grade system, traditional wrestling, masquerade culture, and pottery. These traditions existed long before modern local government boundaries were drawn and remain central to Afikpo’s identity. The area also has strong riverine links through the Cross River basin, which supported trade, fishing, and movement between communities across present-day Ebonyi and Cross River states.
Afikpo North is home to Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, one of the major tertiary institutions in the state. The LGA recorded 156,649 people in the 2006 census, with a 2022 projection of about 233,300.
NATIONAL BUREAU OF
STATISTICS Annual Abstract of Statistics,
2011
Afikpo North’s history is the history of a community that was once part of Abia, became part of Ebonyi in 1996, and has continued to preserve a cultural identity that predates both states.
On this History Thursday, we revisit stories that define our roots and affirm our identity. From past achievements to enduring legacies, these moments remind us that Ebonyi’s history is rich, resilient, and worth telling—again and again.
