Ebonyi is a state situated in south-east Nigeria. It is inhabited and populated primarily by Igbo. Its capital and largest city is Abakaliki. Other major towns include: Afikpo, Onueke, Edda, Onicha etc. It is one of the six states created in 1996 by the Abacha government. Ebonyi was created from parts of both Enugu State and Abia State. Ebonyi is called "the salt of the nation" for its huge salt deposit at the Okposi and Uburu Salt Lakes. There are ten primary languages spoken in Ebonyi State: Afikpo, Mgbo, Izzi, Ezaa, Edda, Ikwo, Kukele, Legbo, Mbembe, Okposi, Uburu and Oring. These languages are all subgroups of the Igbo language and are commonly spoken throughout south eastern Nigeria.
Ebonyi is primarily an agricultural region. It is a leading producer of rice, yam, potatoes, maize, beans, and cassava in Nigeria. Ebonyi has several solid mineral resources, including lead, crude oil, and natural gas, but few large-scale commercial mines. The state government has, however, given several incentives to investors in the agro-allied sector to encourage production. The State shares borders with Benue State to the North, Enugu State to the west, Imo and Abia States to the south and Cross River State to the east.
