Igbariam is in Anambra State, Nigeria. Often referred to as the “food basket of Anambra State,” Igbariam is known for its vast farmlands, rivers, and the historic Igbariam Farm Settlement, one of Nigeria’s earliest agricultural pilot projects.
Understand
[edit]Igbariam is a prominent town in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. It is widely regarded as one of the most agriculturally fertile and culturally rooted communities in the region. In addition to its farming legacy, it is also home to the permanent campus of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), making it both a rural heartland and a growing academic hub. Despite years of development, Igbariam retains its traditional values, cultural practices, and natural landscapes.
Location and geography
[edit]Igbariam is located in Anambra East LGA. It lies close to the towns of Nsugbe, Umueri, Aguleri, and Otuocha.
The town is situated within the Omambala River basin, a fertile area nourished by tributaries such as the Ezu River, Oguu River, Aguogba River, and Odulu River. These rivers support the region’s thriving agriculture but also pose challenges during the rainy season due to frequent flooding.
In 2022, several villages in Igbariam, including Anekwem, Ogugu-Etiti, and Ubaru, were reported to have been submerged by floods. Each village has its own traditional leadership and lineage systems but collectively fall under the authority of the town’s monarch, the Igwe of Igbariam. These villages participate in cultural activities, community meetings, age-grade events, and festivals that promote unity and tradition.
Get in
[edit]
People can come into the town through road by using buses and tricycles.
By road
[edit]Take a bus heading to Enugu and disembark at the Igbariam bus stop, or go to Onitsha, take a bus to Awka, and get off at the Awkuzu junction. From there, you can find a bus or okada (motorcycle taxi) going directly to Igbariam.
Get around
[edit]People get around the town using motorcycles buses and taxi.
See
[edit]- Igbariam Farm Settlement
Igbariam earned its nickname, “food basket of Anambra State,” largely due to the Igbariam Farm Settlement, established in the early 1960s by the then Eastern Nigerian government under Dr. Michael Okpara.
- Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) – The largest and most influential institution in the town
- Nkwo Market – The central market, active on Nkwo market days, where locals buy and sell food items and clothing.
Do
[edit]- New Moon Festival: Activities include masquerade parade, wrestling etc.
- New Yam Festival (Iri Ji): Celebrating the beginning of harvest season
- Ofala Festival: A royal event where the Igwe blesses the people and hosts dignitaries
- Masquerade festivals: Featuring ancestral spirits (mmụọ) and dances