Ehime Mbano is a Local Government Area in Imo State, Nigeria, in the old Mbano-Etiti axis east of Owerri. Its headquarters sits at Umuezeala Owerre, usually shortened to Umuezeala. The LGA recorded a population of 130,575 at the 2006 census, projected near 181,500 by 2022, across about 169 square kilometres around 5°39′N 7°18′E.
Key Facts
| State | Imo State |
| Headquarters | Umuezeala Owerre (Umuezeala) |
| Area | About 169 km² |
| Population | 130,575 (2006 census); about 181,500 (2022 projection) |
| Postal codes | 472101–472111; Umuezeala area code is 472105 |
| Wards | 11 |
Ehime Mbano holds eleven wards: Agbaja, Nsu ‘A’ Ikpe, Nsu ‘B’ Ihitte, Nzerem/Ikpem, Umualumaku/Umuihim, Umueze I, Umueze II/Umueleke, Umuezeala, Umukabia, Umunakanu and Umunumo.
Towns & Villages
The list below was checked name by name against the 2015 INEC ward and polling-unit directory, the GRID3 NGA Settlement Names dataset and GeoNames:
- Abosi
- Agbagbara
- Agbaja
- Amazi
- Dinka
- Ehime
- Eze/Obom
- Ezeoke
- Ezike/Umunagbala
- Ihitte
- Ikpe
- Ikwe I (Dioka Nzerem)
- Ikwe II (Dioka Nzerem)
- Mgbam
- Ngboroko
- Nsu
- Offor-Ama
- Ofo-Owerre
- Umuakagu
- Umuamunu
- Umuanunu
- Umuaro
- Umuawuchi
- Umuchakwe
- Umuchima
- Umuchoke
- Umudibia
- Umuduru (Umukabia)
- Umuduruaro
- Umuduruebo
- Umuduruokoro
- Umuechele
- Umueke
- Umuele
- Umueleke
- Umueleke-Ikpem
- Umueli
- Umuemeke
- Umuerim
- Umueze
- Umuezeala
- Umuezeala Ama
- Umuezeala I
- Umuezeala II
- Umuezeala Ogwara
- Umugolo
- Umuihim
- Umuimo
- Umuja
- Umukabia
- Umunakanu
- Umunakaru
- Umunanom
- Umunkwa
- Umunohu
- Umunumo
- Umuobia
- Umuodu (Umueze I)
- Umuodu (Umukabia)
- Umuofa
- Umuofeke
- Umuogwara
- Umuola
- Umuonyia
- Umuopala
- Umuoparalum
- Umuosu (Nzerem)
- Umuowere
Geography
Ehime Mbano lies on gently rolling lowland in the Imo heartland, part of the wider Mbano plateau country between Owerri and Okigwe. Soils are the sandy-loam type common across central Imo, drained by small seasonal streams that feed the Imo River system to the east. The LGA borders Isiala Mbano to the west, Okigwe to the north, Ihitte/Uboma to the east and Obowo to the south. Together with Isiala Mbano it makes up the historic Mbano bloc, split into two LGAs in 1989. Nsu, Umunumo, Umuezeala and Agbaja are among the larger community clusters, each surrounded by smaller Umu- prefixed villages named for founding kindreds.
Demographics
At the 2006 count the LGA held a population of 130,575, giving a density above 770 people per square kilometre — dense even by Imo standards. Residents are Igbo, speaking the Ehime and Nsu varieties of central Igbo alongside standard Igbo and English. Christianity is the dominant religion, with Catholic and Anglican parishes in most communities. Villages follow the usual Igbo pattern of kindred compounds grouped into autonomous communities, several headed by recognised traditional rulers.
Economy & Local Life
Farming and trade carry the local economy. Households crop cassava, yam, maize and vegetables, with oil palm the main tree crop, processed into palm oil and kernels for sale. Periodic markets run on the four-day Igbo week of Eke, Orie, Afor and Nkwo; the Aba Branch Market in Ehime Mbano is a known trading point for the area. Many indigenes work in Owerri, Aba and Lagos and remit money home, which shows in the modern buildings across the villages. Small workshops — tailoring, welding, block-moulding and motorcycle repair — cluster around the market squares and junction settlements.
Getting There
Ehime Mbano sits roughly 40 kilometres northeast of Owerri, the Imo capital — about an hour by road. From Owerri, the common route runs through Isiala Mbano toward Umuezeala and Nsu; from the north, feeder roads link the LGA to Okigwe and the Enugu–Port Harcourt expressway corridor. Shared taxis and minibuses serve the routes from Owerri and Okigwe daily.
FAQ
Where is Ehime Mbano?
Ehime Mbano is in the northeast of Imo State, southeastern Nigeria, between Owerri and Okigwe. It borders Isiala Mbano, Okigwe, Ihitte/Uboma and Obowo.
How many towns and villages are in Ehime Mbano?
This directory lists 68 verified towns and villages in Ehime Mbano, checked against INEC polling-unit records, GRID3 and GeoNames.
What is the postal code of Ehime Mbano?
Postal codes in Ehime Mbano run from 472101 to 472111. For the headquarters area, the postal code is 472105.
What is the headquarters of Ehime Mbano?
The headquarters is Umuezeala Owerre, commonly written as Umuezeala. It hosts the LGA secretariat.
What is the population of Ehime Mbano?
The 2006 census counted 130,575 residents. Projections put the figure near 181,500 by 2022.
How many wards does Ehime Mbano have?
Eleven wards: Agbaja, Nsu ‘A’ Ikpe, Nsu ‘B’ Ihitte, Nzerem/Ikpem, Umualumaku/Umuihim, Umueze I, Umueze II/Umueleke, Umuezeala, Umukabia, Umunakanu and Umunumo.
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