Anambra State lies in Nigeria’s South East geopolitical zone, with its capital at Awka. The state has 21 local government areas and recorded a population of 4,177,828 at the 2006 census, projected to reach 5,953,500 by 2022. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.
Local Government Areas in Anambra State
Anambra’s 21 LGAs range from the commercial hub of Onitsha, split into Onitsha North and Onitsha South, to the riverine communities of Anambra East and Anambra West. Idemili North, home to Nnewi’s neighboring towns, is the most populous of the 21, while Dunukofia records the smallest population on the list.
| LGA | 2006 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Aguata | 369,972 | 527,200 |
| Anambra East | 152,149 | 216,800 |
| Anambra West | 167,303 | 238,400 |
| Anaocha | 284,215 | 405,000 |
| Awka North | 112,192 | 159,900 |
| Awka South | 189,654 | 270,300 |
| Ayamelum | 158,152 | 225,400 |
| Dunukofia | 96,517 | 137,500 |
| Ekwusigo | 158,429 | 225,800 |
| Idemili North | 431,005 | 614,200 |
| Idemili South | 206,816 | 294,700 |
| Ihiala | 302,277 | 430,800 |
| Njikoka | 148,394 | 211,500 |
| Nnewi North | 155,443 | 221,500 |
| Nnewi South | 233,362 | 332,500 |
| Ogbaru | 223,317 | 318,200 |
| Onitsha North | 125,918 | 179,400 |
| Onitsha South | 137,191 | 195,500 |
| Orumba North | 172,773 | 246,200 |
| Orumba South | 184,548 | 263,000 |
| Oyi | 168,201 | 239,700 |
Anambra State has 21 official LGAs, and all 21 have full town-and-village lists on this site, covering everything from Onitsha’s crowded riverside streets to the smaller farming communities of Dunukofia and Ayamelum.
Geography
Anambra State was created in 1991, split from the old Anambra State along with Enugu State, and is nicknamed the “Light of the Nation.” Anambra shares borders with Delta State across the Niger River to the west, Imo and Rivers States to the south, Enugu State to the east, and Kogi State to the north. The Niger River forms the state’s western edge, and the Anambra River, one of its tributaries, gives the state its name. Much of the land is lowland, with floodplains along the Niger and Anambra rivers around Onitsha, Anambra East, and Anambra West. Further inland, the terrain rises into low hills around Awka, Agulu, and Nanka, an area long known for severe gully erosion that has cut deep ravines through several communities and forced some villages to resettle. River floodplain soils around Onitsha and the Anambra basin support rice and yam farming, while the upland areas call for ongoing erosion-control work. The state sits within Nigeria’s tropical rainforest belt, with a wet season running roughly from April to October and a shorter dry season the rest of the year.
Economy & Local Life
Onitsha’s main market is one of the largest in West Africa, drawing traders from across Nigeria and neighboring countries to buy and sell textiles, plastics, and general goods. Nnewi is a longstanding center for automobile spare-parts trading and small-scale manufacturing, built on an apprenticeship system, locally called igba boi, that sends young traders from the town into business across the country. Awka carries its own trading history in blacksmithing and now serves as the state’s administrative center, home to Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Away from the commercial cities, most households farm yam, cassava, rice, and oil palm, and communities along the Niger and Anambra rivers fish for a living. Local markets still follow the traditional four-day Igbo week, with Eke, Orie, Afor, and Nkwo market days setting the trading rhythm in many towns. Goods and traders move daily between Onitsha, Nnewi, and Awka, keeping the state’s markets closely linked.
FAQ
How many local government areas are in Anambra State?
Anambra State has 21 local government areas, spread across its commercial, riverine, and farming communities. Every one of the 21 has a full town-and-village list on this site.
What is the capital of Anambra State?
Awka is the capital of Anambra State. It sits within Awka South local government area and hosts the state’s main government offices and Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
What is the population of Anambra State?
Anambra State had a population of 4,177,828 at the 2006 census, projected to reach 5,953,500 by 2022. That marks steady growth from 2,796,475 recorded at the 1991 census, the year the state was created.
Which LGA in Anambra State has the largest population?
Idemili North is Anambra’s most populous LGA, with 431,005 people at the 2006 census, projected to reach 614,200 by 2022. Aguata and Ihiala follow as the next-largest LGAs on the list.
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