Umuahia

Understand

Umuahia is the capital of Abia State. It has its place in history as the second capital of Biafra State after the first, Enugu, was captured by the Nigerian Forces during the Nigerian Civil War. It retained this designation until the Nigerian Forces finally overcame the rebellion, at which point it suffered neglect from the Nigerian government as a form of retaliation, observable to this day. An area made up of the Igbo people by and large, it got its peculiar name from a British misspelling of the Igbos' original name for their community. There are industries that help drive its economy, such as a brewery and a palm-oil-processing plant. Nigeria's National Root Crops Research Institute, at Umudike, is adjacent to the town. The city is well known for being an agricultural market centre in south East Nigeria. It is also a railway collection point for crops such as yams, cassava, vegetables,palm kernel among others. It is the host of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) formerly known as Federal University of Agriculture (FUAU), Government College Umuahia, Trinity College and several hospitals like Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia (formerly Queen Elizabeth Hospital). Umuahia comprises of two local government areas namely; Umuahia North and Umuahia South. Umuahia is made up of two local government areas which are Umuahia North and Umuahia South. These two local government is made up of five clans which are:

Ubakala Olokoro Umuokpara Ohuhu Ibeku

Climate Umuahia has a tropical climate. During most months of the year, there is significant rainfall in Umuahia. There is only a short dry season which begins in November and ends in February while the rainy season begins in March and ends in October, with a short break in August. Precipitation is the lowest in December, with an average of 15 mm. Most precipitation falls in September, with an average of 322 mm. At an average temperature of 27.5 °C, March is the hottest month of the year. In August, the average temperature is 24.5 °C. It is the lowest average temperature of the whole year.

Getting there

By plane Travellers who want to go to Umuahia by air have to make use of the closest airport to Umuahia which is the Sam Mbakwe Cargo International Airport located in Ngor-Okpala Imo State, which is also known as the Imo Airport. Airlines that service this airport are Overland Airways, Arik Air and Air Peace. There are buses readily available to transport people from the Airport to Umuahia. You should not get uncomfortable because the driving time from Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport to Umuahia, Nigeria is: 1 hour 47 minutes. Another airport that can also service visitors who want to come into Umuahia by air is Port Harcourt International Airport. The distance between Umuahia and Port Harcourt International Airport is two hours.

By bus Travelers who want to come to Umuahia by bus should feel free because there are so many bus transport companies that come to Umuahia from other cities and states. The cost of travelling to Umuahia by bus from anywhere in Nigeria depends on the economy at that time. Reliable transport companies such as God is Good Motors, Peace Mass Transit, Abia line, The Young Shall Grow, Imo Transort Company (ITC) among many others transport people from different parts of the country to Umuahia.

Getting around

Umuahia has a superb road network and low population density and this makes it to rarely ever have a traffic jam or delay. Commercial Tricycles popularly known as Keke and buses, as well as the state-owned Green Shuttle Buses are used as the major means of transportation in Umuahia. age cost of transportation within Umuahia varies and depends on the economy of the time.

See

1 National War Museum, National War Museum Rd, ☏ +234 803 592 7567. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa-Su noon-6PM. Shows displays of weapons from both sides of the 1967-1971 Nigerian conflict and various exhibits pertaining to the event, including boats, planes, and tanks outside. No photography allowed inside. Also has bunker from where Voice of Biafra radio transmissions originated. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Ojukwu's Bunker, ☏ +234 701 789 5370. Ojukwu's Bunker is part of the National War Museum and it's annex is at Okpara Avenue. It is where the late Biafran general hid while commanding the desperate attempts to secede from the country. The bunker was constructed during the civil war after the fall of Enugu and it was the subterranean office for the Biafran government. The premises of Ojukwu bunker belonged to Late Dr. Michael I. Okpara who was the second Premier of Eastern Nigeria from December 17, 1959 to January 15, 1966. The bunker measures 26.9 feet deep and about 8 m. It was constructed under 90 days, between April to June 1968. All the people involved in the construction of the bunker were less than 40 years old. (updated Aug 2020) The Gate of Umuahia. Not a gate, but the name they call the grand market at the centre of the city where different food and clothing items are sold.The market operates mostly in the night. Although efforts have been made to stop the sales of items in this location. It is also a stop for various commuters buses travelling to and fro from various places in the South East. (updated Mar 2022) Akwete Cloth Production House (A few kilometres from Umuahia). The akwete cloth production is a unique hand woven textile produced in the town of Akwete. The traditional Igbo weaving as demonstrated in Akwete processes sisal-hemp, raffia and spun cotton into finished products. While the coarse raffia materials are used by masquerades and in the past as headgear for warriors among other uses, the hemp material was used to weave towels, ropes, and handbags. The more comfortable and colourful spun cotton is used to weave cloth for everyday wearing. The weaving of the cloth is usually done by the women, and the ability to weave is seen as a gift. Abia Tower. A beautiful place to behold in Umuahia. It is a grand work of architecture. Abia Tower is graced with a pleasant arrangement of flowers and it is always a perfect site for picture-perfect moments for visitors. 3 Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umudike Rd, Umudike 440101, Abia, ☏ +234 902 742 7974. Open 24 hours. The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, formerly the Fed

Do

Ekpe Festival Umuahia. Masquerade festival is peculiar to Umuahia people that is celebrated annually in January. It is a lively cultural festival that attracts people from all walks of life. The festival has existed for so many years and it involves many kinds of Ekpe masquerades performing different kinds of cultural dance during the festival. During the festival, male and female both young and old normally dress in their cultural attire, the male must tie a piece of George (wrapper) to make up for the cultural attire. Male children who have been initiated into Ekpe masquerade, and are skilled in playing the cultural music, show case their talent and expertise in their culture while the masquerade performs the dancing. In appreciation of the performance of the masquerade, players and individual dancers donate money to the masquerade while the music is still on. When the cultural celebration want to come to an end, Ekpe masquerade will use a cutlass and behead a goat at a strike. New Yam Festival (also known as Iwaji)). The most significant festival in Umuahia, Abia State. New yam festival is celebrated annually at the end of the rainy season in August in thanksgiving to the gods for a bumper harvest.

Buy

Markets Umuahia has many markets where visitors can go and buy what they need.

Amuzukwu Relief Market. Located at Niger Road/Amuzukwu Umuahia North L.G.A. Ishi-gate market. Umuahia is a central business district of the town. There is actually no real gate at the place, except a long metallic bar which is usually employed to close vehicular traffic routes when trains are passing in other to avoid accidents. Quite significantly, the gate identifies the main market at the centre of the metropolis and the many different goods and farm produce are being sold in this market at a pocket friendly rate. Umuahia Ultramodern Market. This market has been in Umuahia for more than seven decades. It is the busiest market in Umuahia, as business activities going on in the market almost throughout the day. It is a very good place to shop for food items and it is very affordable.

Supermarkets There are so many supermarkets in Umuahia that offer a wide variety of food, groceries, beverages, beauty care products, fashion items, toiletries, and household products. Most of them are organized into sections so as to make it easier for customers to do their shopping with ease.

1 Ezeigbo Supermarket, Nkwere St, ☏ +234 806 429 5009. Monday to Saturday 24 hours. It offers wholesale and retail sales of variety of products ranging from food stuff to cosmetics, toiletries, beverages, household items etc. (updated Jun 2021) 2 De-Mecks Super Market, No. 9, Warri St, ☏ +234 803 944 5088. Monday to Saturday 8AM-7:30PM. De-Mecks Super Market is a wholesale and retail shopping centre for gift items, perfume, cosmetics, greeting cards, accessories, fashion, home decor, baby items, pet items, batteries, grocery, foodstuff, beverages, wines & hot drinks etc. (updated Jun 2021) 3 Shoprite Abia, Abia Mall Old Garki, Off Uwalaka St, ☏ +234 38 761 441. Daily 9AM-9PM. Offers low prices on the best grocery, household products, beauty products, convenient services, gift items and many others. (updated Jun 2021) 4 247 Supermarket, No. 1 Azikiwe Rd, Umu Obasi, ☏ +234 706 768 2790. Monday to Saturday 7:45AM-9PM. Provides for daily needs in such areas as groceries,provisions, household items, toiletries, wines and other needs. (updated Jun 2021) 5 NIC & Angel Superstore, ☏ +234 808 944 2270. Monday to Saturday 7AM-9:30PM. NIC & Angel Superstore deals with glossaries, food items, perfumes, provisions, stationeries, baby items, cosmetics, beauty products, wears and many others. (updated Jun 2021) 6 Tina-mak Supermarket, No. 6 Uzuakoli Rd, ☏ +234 806 043 1127. Tina-mak Supermarket provides its

Eat

Most of the restaurants and eateries in Umuahia offer African cuisines, International cuisine, Dine-in, Takeaway and delivery services. The foods they serve their customers is super spicy and delicious, yummy, rich & tasty foods. These restaurant and eateries include:

1 Chillis Café, No. 17 Udi St, ☏ +234 803 387 1859. Daily 7:30AM-10PM. Chillis Café offers delicately prepared meals and pastries. It offers very affordable meals and it is a good restaurant for visitors and tourist to visit. (updated Jun 2021) 2 Apples Fastfood, No. 27/29 Ojike St, Umu Obasi, ☏ +234 703 478 2206. Daily 7AM-9PM. Apples fastfood has great meal option and enough parking space. (updated Jun 2021) 3 Bubbles Food, Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Rd, Umu Obas. Daily 7AM-9PM. Bubbles Food is a very affordable restaurant. Their dishes are excellently prepared to ensure that their customers get maximum satisfaction and value for their money. (updated Jun 2021) 4 Mr Bigg's, Ikot Ekpene Rd, Umu Obasi. Daily 8AM-9PM. Mr Bigg's is generally known for its top-notch customer service and delicately prepared meals. It offers varieties of continental cuisines and excellent pastries. (updated Jun 2021) 5 D Place, No. 21 Adelabu St, Mission Hill, ☏ +234 803 574 9073. M-Sa 8AM-5PM. D Place is one of the best restaurants in Umuahia to go for a cool drink. One of the most talked about bars/restaurants in Umuahia. It offers deliciously prepared dishes like Nkwobi, Isiewu, pepper soup among others. (updated Jun 2021) 6 Crunchies, No. 232 Finbars St, ☏ +234 902 222 9068. Daily 7AM-9PM. Crunches is a fast food that offers deliciously prepared meals and pastries. It is known as one of the top restaurants in Umuahia. (updated Jun 2021) 7 Kilimanjaro Restaurant, Abia Mall. Daily 9AM-9PM. Kilimanjaro Restaurant serves her customers both African and International cuisines that has great taste at a pocket friendly rate. (updated Jun 2021) 8 Jovit Fast Food, No.1 Secretariat Road, BCA Rd, Round About, ☏ +234 813 458 6733. Daily 8:30AM-midnight. The food they serve their customers include shawarma, hamburgers and pizza among many other dishes from African and international cuisine. (updated Jun 2021) 9 De Choice Umuahia, No. 2 Library Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 10 Moses Peace Restaurant, Club Rd, Umu Obasi 440236, ☏ +234 7065113132. A restaurant where you can get contemporary Nigerian dishes. (updated Dec 2021) 11 PFF fast food and services, 9 Item St, Umuahia, ☏ +234 814 162 8513. 8AM-8:30PM. Offering local and Continental breakfast, dishes. (updated May 2022) 12 Aquilla African, Azikiwe Road, Amafor Isingwu. Daily 10AM

Drink & nightlife

Umuahia has beautiful bars and beer joints where tourists and visitors can go and cool off after their day-to-day activities. Some of these bars include:

1 Nekebis Exclusive Bar, 85 Old Timber Rd. M-Sa 8AM-10AM. Deals on various beers, wines, hot drinks various drinks, Ugba, nkwobi etc. (updated Jun 2021) 2 Sips cocktails and more, Amuzukwu, ☏ +234 903 785 1541. Daily 10AM-8:30PM. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

1 Rixos Continental Resort, No 1a Rixos Avenue by CBN junction off, Bende Rd, ☏ +234 703 841 2981. Free breakfast, restaurant, bar pool, gym, spa, wifi. ₦ 18538. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Hotel Royal Damgrete, 13-16 Factory Rd, Umu Obasi (2.7 km from National War Museum Umuahia), ☏ +234 701 447 4211. Check-in: 2PM (with an ID), check-out: noon. 60 rooms and suites categorised into Standard, Executive, Studio Suite, Royal Suite, Diplomatic Suite and Presidential Suite. Each room is equipped with wir-conditioning units, study/reading table, sofa, cable connected TV and an en-suite bathroom. This hotel has 4 bars, a restaurant, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, parking space sfor150 cars, high speed Wi-Fi internet, conference halls, and an executive boardroom ,a lawn tennis court, CCTV cameras, firefighting equipment and uniformed security personnel. The hotel has generators to ensure constant power supply. ₦20,000-₦140,000 per night. (updated Jun 2021) 3 Villa Roy Hotel, No. 19 Mission Hill. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Villa Roy Hotel is a 3-star hotel and is one of the best budget hotels in Umuahia. It lies a few kilometres from most bus terminals in Umuahia. It is tastefully and delicately furnished, with modern facilities and services that will simply make you feel like royalty. This hotel features spacious-appointed guest rooms and suites, each with contemporary decoration. A refrigerator, wireless high-speed internet access, and cable satellite television. Other amenities at this hotel include an The hotel ensures that its customers have a comfortable and memorable stay. Amenities in the hotel include: restaurant, bar, out door swimming pool, free parking space and great exercise facilities for indoor and outdoor exercise luggage store, onsite cocktail lounge among others. ₦9,000-30,000 per night. (updated Jun 2021) 4 De Royal Legacy Hotel and Suites, National War Museum Rd, ☏ +234 802 574 9983. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. A 3-star hotel. Amenities in the hotel include restaurant, a snack bar/deli, free WiFi in public areas and free self parking, free newspapers, safes, and desks are among the other amenities that guests will find. Other amenities include 24-hour room service, dry cleaning, and laundry facilities, 24-hour room service, and LED TVs with satellite channels. ₦9,000 per night. (updated Jun 2021) 5 Golden Olives Resort, No.158 Winners Road, Government Layout, ☏ +234 708 680 2894. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. This hotel offers customers free breakfast, free wifi, restaurant, bar, swimming pool, free parking space among others amenities.

Go next

From Umuahia, you can travel to different cities and States in Nigeria such as:

Owerri Aba Abiriba Afororu Anara Ikot Ekpene Umuezee Ezuhu Nguru Umuaka Ohafia Okigwe Orlu Osisioma Uyo