The recent approval by a Joint Committee of the National Assembly for the creation of an additional state in the South East has shifted the spotlight to the Aba State Movement, which is now preparing to present its case for population statistics and economic viability.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has confirmed that proponents, including the leaders of the Aba State Movement, will be invited to a public hearing in early November to defend their request with concrete data before a wider audience of Igbo stakeholders.
Key Statistics and Economic Context for the Proposed Aba State
The demand for Aba State—comprising the nine Local Government Areas of Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Aba North, Aba South, Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East, and Ukwa West—is heavily anchored on its status as the commercial hub of the South East.
- Population Density: The Aba metropolis itself, particularly Aba South LGA, is a major urban center. According to the 2006 Census, Aba South Local Government Area had a population of 427,421 people within a land size of 49.551 km². The city of Aba is often cited as a city with a population estimated around 1,160,000 as of 2025. This high density and large urban population will be a key factor in the population statistics presented.
- Economic Viability: Aba is widely recognized for its manufacturing sector and entrepreneurial activity (SMEs). Proponents argue the proposed state’s economic base would be robust due to:
- Commercial Hub Status: The city’s reputation as the “commercial heartbeat of the South-East” and a major center for commerce and trade.
- Industrial Infrastructure: The Geometric Power Aba Project, which is focused on providing stable electricity, is projected to significantly boost the local economy. It is anticipated to:
- Reduce power outage costs for manufacturing firms in Aba and Abia State by an estimated US$1.3 billion annually.
- Increase the State’s manufacturing output by US$707 million, which is equivalent to 8.1 percent of its GDP.
- Generate up to 3,000 direct jobs and potentially 300,000 indirect employment opportunities.
- Generate additional annual government revenue for Abia State amounting to an estimated US$84.8 million through increased economic activity.
- Investment and Growth: Recent reports on the state’s economic landscape, prior to the proposal’s advancement, highlighted a more than 10% increase in GDP and a growth of more than 20% in the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) sector in the manufacturing hub of Aba.
The proponents, led by Chief Theo Nkire, are banking on this history and these contemporary economic indicators to prove the proposed state is “the oldest and most viable.” The upcoming public hearing will require them to solidify these claims with the required official and statistical documentation, including detailed population projections and economic blueprints.
Also Read: Aba State Creation: Ukwa-Ngwa APC Forum Knocks Otti,
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