Awka

Awka Capital Territory
Ọka
Anambra State Capital City
Municipality
Awka
From top to left to right: Unizik Gate, State House, Works Road, Awka Aerial view, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Access Road.
Nickname: 
Awka City
Motto: 
Sires of Smiths
Awka Capital Territory is located in Nigeria
Awka Capital Territory
Awka Capital Territory
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°12′25″N 7°04′04″E / 6.20694°N 7.06778°E / 6.20694; 7.06778
Country Nigeria
StateAnambra State
LGAAwka North, Awka South
Awka District LGAAwka City

Awka, Amawbia, Adazi-Nnukwu, Agulu and Abagana

OthersLGA

Anaocha, Awka North Awka South, Dunukofia, Idemili North, Idemili South and Njikoka.
Awka Capital TerritoryTerritory

Core Areas

Awka, Amawbia, and Umuokpu

Linkage Adazi-Nnukwu, Agulu, Abba, Abagana, Nri Kingdom, Amansea, Enugwu-Ukwu, Enugwu-Agidi, Isiagu, Isu-Aniocha, Mgbakwu, Nawfia, Nawgu, Nibo, Nimo,

Nise, Okpuno and Umuawulu.
Settled9th Century
Incorporated City19th Century
Declared Capital21 August 1991
Founded byNri Hegemony
Government
 • TypeState, Traditional, City Planner
 • BodyConstitutional Monarchy, Executive Chairman
 • GovernorChukwuma Soludo
 • Constitutional Monarchy and TraditionalÉzè Ụzụ, Igwe Gibson Nwosu
 • Executive ChairmanHon. Mbonu Uzoma Awka North Mr. Leo Nwuba Awka South
 • Anambra Central Senatorial District AwkaC: Victor Umeh (LP)
 • City Planner/ ManagementAwka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA)
Area
 • Municipality202 sq mi (522 km2)
 • Water5 sq mi (12 km2)
 • Urban
419 sq mi (1,084 km2)
 • Metro
550 sq mi (1,425 km2)
Population
 (2022)[1]
 • Municipality430,200
 • Density2,100/sq mi (820/km2)
 • Urban
2,171,900
 • Urban density5,200/sq mi (2,000/km2)
 • Metro
5,000,000 (estimated)
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
National languageIgbo
Websitehttps://awkatimes.com

Awka (Igbo: Ọka)[2] is the capital city of Anambra State, Nigeria. The city was declared capital on 21 August 1991, after the creation of Anambra and Enugu state, which moved the capital from Enugu to Awka (an administrative center since pre-colonial times).[3] The city has an estimated population of 301,657 as of the 2006 Nigerian census. The both LGAs of Awka South and North had a estimated population of 430,200 in 2022.[4] The city is located at 199.1 kilometres (123.7 mi), by road, directly north of Port Harcourt in the centre of the densely-populated Igbo heartland in South-East Nigeria.[5]

The West-East Federal highway links Lagos, Benin City, Asaba, Onitsha, and Enugu to Awka and several local roads link it to other important towns such as Oko, Ekwulobia, Agulu, Enugwu-Ukwu, Abagana and Nnewi.

Strategically, Awka is located midway between two major cities in Northern Igboland, Onitsha and Enugu, which has played a significant role in its choice as an administrative center for the colonial authorities and today as a base for the Anambra State government.[6]

  1. ^ Summing the 2 LGAs Awka North/South as per:
    Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette (15 May 2007). "Legal Notice on Publication of the Details of the Breakdown of the National and State Provisional Totals 2006 Census" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  2. ^ Egbokhare, Francis O.; Oyetade, S. Oluwole (2002). Harmonization and standardization of Nigerian languages. CASAS. p. 106. ISBN 1-919799-70-2.
  3. ^ EBUKA NWANKWO (2024-05-18). "Here is how Soludo is transforming Awka into a befitting capital". thecable. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  4. ^ "Anambra State: Subdivision". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  5. ^ "Map Showing Port Harcourt And Awka with Distance Indicator". Globalfeed.com. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  6. ^ Ago, Byykkein #history • 6 Years (2018-03-29). "WELCOME TO AWKA, THE BLACK SMITH HOME". Steemit. Retrieved 2024-06-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)