Abak

Abak is a Local Government Area in the southwest of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, about 18 kilometres from Uyo, the state capital. It recorded a population of 139,069 at the 2006 census, projected near 177,500 by 2022, on roughly 190 square kilometres at 4°59′N 7°47′E. Abak town is the council headquarters, and the LGA groups five clans — Abak Urban, Afaha Obong, Ediene, Midim and Otoro — across eleven wards.

Key Facts

Towns And Villages In Abak

The list below was checked name by name against the 2015 INEC ward and polling-unit records for Abak, and the GeoNames and OpenStreetMap gazetteers:

1. Abak
2. Abak Ikot
3. Abak Itenge
4. Abak Usung Atai
5. Abak Usung Idim
6. Abia Okpo Otoro
7. Afaha Esang
8. Afaha Obong
9. Atai Ediene
10. Atai Otoro
11. Atan Midim
12. Ebebit
13. Edem Anwa
14. Eriam
15. Eriam Afaha Obong
16. Ibagwa
17. Ibanang Ediene
18. Ibiakpan I
19. Ibiakpan II
20. Ibong
21. Ibong Ikot Akpan Abasi
22. Ibong Otoro
23. Ikot
24. Ikot Akpa Edem
25. Ikot Akpabio
26. Ikot Akpakpan
27. Ikot Akpan Adia
28. Ikot Akpan Idim
29. Ikot Akpan Ikpong
30. Ikot Akwa Ebom
31. Ikot Anyankara
32. Ikot Ata Udo
33. Ikot Ebak
34. Ikot Ebit Ekpe
35. Ikot Ebok
36. Ikot Edede
37. Ikot Edong
38. Ikot Ekang
39. Ikot Ekiduk
40. Ikot Ekon
41. Ikot Eshiet
42. Ikot Essien Etok
43. Ikot Etuk Udo
44. Ikot Ikpe
45. Ikot Imo
46. Ikot Inyang
47. Ikot Inyang Ediene
48. Ikot Iyire
49. Ikot Ndue
50. Ikot Ntuk
51. Ikot Obio Ikpa
52. Ikot Obioko
53. Ikot Obong
54. Ikot Obong Ediene
55. Ikot Obong Utu
56. Ikot Odiong
57. Ikot Odon
58. Ikot Oku Mfang
59. Ikot Oku Ubara
60. Ikot Onuk Ukpom
61. Ikot Osom
62. Ikot Ubom
63. Ikot Udo Obio Iwok
64. Ikot Udo Udom
65. Ikot Udousung
66. Ikot Ufen
67. Ikot Uko
68. Ikpak Idout
69. Ikwek
70. Itung
71. Manta
72. Manta Edem Idem
73. Mbarakom
74. Midim Ikot Ifang
75. Nko Otoro
76. Nna Enin
77. Nto Obo I
78. Nto Obo II
79. Nto Otong
80. Nto Umo
81. Nto Utom Ukpom
82. Ntukuk
83. Obiobom
84. Okon Abak
85. Oku Abak
86. Ukana Mkpa Eyop
87. Ukut Ata
88. Uruk Obong
89. Uruk Uso
90. Utu Abak
91. Utu Edem Akai
92. Utu Edem Urua
93. Utu Ikot Okoro
94. Utu Midim

Geography

Abak sits on low coastal plain, close to sea level, with a tropical monsoon climate and around 295 wet days a year. Abak town stands near the Qua Iboe River, which drains the area southward. Farmland and oil-palm bush cover most of the LGA outside the built-up headquarters.

Uyo, the state capital, lies about 18 kilometres to the east — see Uyo. The old Abak division once covered a much wider area; Oruk Anam, Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and Ika were all carved out of it and now sit to its south and west. Essien Udim lies to the north.

Demographics

The people of Abak are Annang, and the Annang language is spoken across all five clans. Village names follow Annang patterns — the frequent “Ikot” prefix means “family” or “settlement of”. Christianity is the dominant religion, as elsewhere in Akwa Ibom State. With a population of 139,069 in an area near 190 km², density works out around 730 people per square kilometre — well above the national average.

Economy & Local Life

Oil palm dominates the local economy. Farmers harvest palm fruit for oil and kernels, historically shipped out through river ports; the trade built Abak’s early importance. Cassava, yam, maize and vegetables are grown for home use and for sale in periodic markets in Abak town and the clan centres. The area also holds deposits of sand, gravel, clay and salt, and crude oil has been found nearby. The Ime Umana Campus of the University of Uyo, in Ediene, and an army barracks at Ibagwa add public-sector employment.

History

The British made Abak a seat of administration in 1902, after military conquest of the district. It gained divisional status in 1957–58, and the modern LGA was created in 1976. Later boundary changes carved Oruk Anam, Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and Ika out of the old division, leaving Abak its present 190 km².

Getting There

Abak sits at a road junction. The tarred Uyo–Abak road covers the 18 kilometres from the state capital in under 30 minutes. Other routes run north toward Ikot Ekpene and south through Oruk Anam toward Ikot Abasi. Victor Attah International Airport, outside Uyo, is the nearest airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Abak?

Abak is in the southwest of Akwa Ibom State, in south-south Nigeria, about 18 kilometres west of Uyo, the state capital, at 4°59′N 7°47′E.

How many towns and villages are in Abak LGA?

This directory lists 94 verified towns and villages in Abak, checked against INEC polling-unit records and the GeoNames and OpenStreetMap gazetteers.

What is the postal code of Abak?

The postal code is 532101 for Abak town. Outlying villages in the LGA use nearby codes in the 532xxx range assigned by NIPOST.

What is the headquarters of Abak LGA?

Abak town is the headquarters. The council secretariat is there, and the LGA’s five clans — Abak Urban, Afaha Obong, Ediene, Midim and Otoro — are administered from it.

What is the population of Abak?

Abak had 139,069 residents at the 2006 census. Projections put the 2022 figure near 177,500.

What language is spoken in Abak?

Annang. Abak is one of the core Annang-speaking LGAs of Akwa Ibom State, alongside its neighbours Essien Udim, Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and Oruk Anam.