Aba is a city in the southeast of
Nigeria and the main trading centre in
Abia State. Upon the creation of Abia state in 1991, Aba was divided into two local governments areas namely; Aba south and Aba North. Aba south is the main city centre and the heart beat of Abia State, south-east Nigeria. It is located on the
Aba River. Aba is made up many villages such as; Umuokpoji Aba, Eziukwu-Aba, Obuda-Aba, Aba Ukwu and other villages from Ohazu merged due to administrative convenience. Aba was established by the Ngwa clan of Igbo People of Nigeria as a market town and then later a military post was placed there by the
British colonial administration in 1901. It lies along the west bank of the
Aba River, and is at the intersection of roads leading to
Port Harcourt,
Owerri,
Umuahia,
Ikot Ekpene, and
Ikot Abasi. The city became a collecting point for agricultural products following the British made railway running through it to
Port Harcourt. Aba is a major urban settlement and commercial centre in a region that is surrounded by small villages and towns. The indigenous people of Aba are the
Ngwa. Aba is well known for its craftsmen. As of 2004 Aba had an estimated population of 1,020,900.