South East (Nigeria)

Geopolitical Zone in Nigeria

South East

Geopolitical Zone

Country|  Nigeria
States|

* Abia State
* Anambra State
* Ebonyi State
* Enugu State
* Imo State

Largest city| Onitsha
Major cities|

* Aba
* Enugu
* Owerri
* Nnewi
* Umuahia
* Awka
* Abakaliki
* Nsukka

Area

• Total

| 29,388 km2 (11,347 sq mi)
Time zone| UTC+1 (WAT)
Languages|

* English
* Ezaa
* Idoma
* Igala
* Igbo
* Ikwo
* Izi
* Mgbo
* Nigerian Sign Language
* Ngwa

The six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

The South East (often written as South-East) is one of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria representing both a geographic and a political region of the country's inland southeast. It comprises five states – Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

The zone is bounded by the River Niger on the west, the riverine Niger Delta on the south, the flat North Central to the north, and the Cross River on the east. It is divided between the Cross–Niger transition forests ecoregions in the south and the Guinean forest–savanna mosaic in the drier north. Culturally, the vast majority of the zone falls within Igboland – the indigenous cultural homeland of the Igbo people, a group which makes up the largest ethnic percentage of the southeastern population.

Although the South East is the smallest geopolitical zone, it contributes greatly to the Nigerian economy due to oil and natural gas reserves along with a growing industrialized economy. The region has a population of about 36 million people, around 18% of the total population of the country. Onitsha and Aba are the two most populous cities in the South East. Other large southeastern cities include Umuahia,Enugu, Owerri, Nnewi, Awka, and Abakaliki.[1]

The South East is predominantly Igbo ethnically and linguistically. Various Igbo subgroups and their dialects in the South East are the Owerri people, Mbaise people, Nkanu people, Ngwa people, Omambala people, Nsukka people, Enuani people, Ezza people, Afikpo people, Arochukwu people, Oguta people, Aguata/Orumba, Okigwe people, Egbema people, Izzi people, Effium people, Idemili people, Agbaja people, Ikwo people, Ndoki people, Nkporo people, Abiriba people, Ohafia people Orlu people, Ohaji people, Ohaozara people, Anaedo people and many others.

## Economy

[edit]

The zone has 95 local government areas with a total population of over twenty million people. The zone has about ten large commercial cities. Apart from agriculture which is the major economic activity, the zone is also known as for commercial and trading activities with small and medium indigenous industries that are manufacturing goods and services.[2] The main agricultural products in the zone are yam, cassava, rice, and cocoyam. The zone has solid minerals and nature resources such as crude oil, natural gas, bauxite, iron ore, sandstone, lignite, clay, coal, tin and columbite.[3]

The southeastern part of Nigeria is a vibrant and culturally rich region known for its diverse traditions, warm hospitality, and strong community ties. The people of this region are renowned for their resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit, often excelling in various fields such as commerce, education, and the arts.

Despite the challenges posed by the IPOB situation, the people of southeastern Nigeria have demonstrated remarkable strength in overcoming adversity. The government's efforts to address the issues have fostered a renewed sense of hope and stability. Communities are coming together, focusing on peace and development, and continuing to celebrate their rich heritage through festivals, music, and culinary traditions.

This resilience and determination to forge a brighter future serve as a testament to the spirit of the southeastern people, who are committed to building a prosperous and harmonious society for themselves and the generations to come.[4] .[5] It is estimated that the sit-at-home in South East cost the geopolitical zone more than 7.6 trillion naira losses within two years.[6] On July 21, 2023, Nnamdi Kalu through his lawyer and IPOB's spokesperson, Emma Powerful, cancelled the Monday IPOB sit-at-home order imposed on South East States.[7]

## Origin and people

[edit]

The South East came about with Alex Ekwueme's recommendations, although is formerly known as Eastern Nigeria, or simply East, following the division of the country into three parts in 1950s. In 1967, it was later split into three under the Gowon Administration (1967–1975). It was in 1976 that more states, including Imo and Anambra began to emerge.[8]

South East is occupied by Igbos.[8]

## See also

[edit]

* Politics portal
* Nigeria portal

* Eastern Nigeria
* Igboland
* Alex Ekwueme
* Owo

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Population of Cities in Nigeria (2022)". World Population Review. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
2. ^ "South East Archives | Premium Times Nigeria". Retrieved 2022-02-25.
3. ^ "South East Archives | Premium Times Nigeria". Retrieved 2022-02-25.
4. ^ guardian, nigeria (2018-10-27). "'Nnamdi Kanu lacks capacity to declare Republic of Biafra'". Guardian Newspaper.
5. ^ vanguard, ngr (2022-02-02). "IPOB sit-at-home inflicting immeasurable hardship, pains on us — South-East residents". Vanguard newspaper.
6. ^ "South-east loses N7.6tr, productivity, investments to agitation in two years". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
7. ^ "IPOB Announces End to Sit-at-Home in South-east - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
8. ^ a b Obaro, Ikime (2006). History, the historian and the Nation:The voice of a Nigerian. Heinemann Educational Books.

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