Anambra State is called “The Light of the Nation”. Created on 27 August 1991 by the then military administration of Ibrahim Babangida, it split from the old Anambra State which includes present day Enugu State.
The state was named after the Omambala River (the Anglicized name being Anambra), which runs across the state.
How Many Local Government Areas Are in Anambra State?
Anambra State has 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
What is the function of Local Government Areas (LGAs)? In Nigeria, LGAs provide an avenue for local management of the area. They construct roads, schools, clinics and provide other needed services in the areas they manage.
The 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Anambra State are divided across the three senatorial districts of Anambra North, Anambra Central and Anambra South.
Complete List of 21 Local Government Areas in Anambra State
Here is the complete list of the Anambra State Local Government Areas with their headquarters and their respective senatorial districts;
| S/N | Local Government Area | Headquarters | Senatorial District |
| 1 | Aguata | Ekwulobia | Anambra South |
| 2 | Anambra East | Otuocha | Anambra North |
| 3 | Anambra West | Nzam | Anambra North |
| 4 | Anaocha | Neni | Anambra Central |
| 5 | Awka North | Achalla | Anambra Central |
| 6 | Awka South | Awka | Anambra Central |
| 7 | Ayamelum | Anaku | Anambra North |
| 8 | Dunukofia | Ukpo | Anambra Central |
| 9 | Ekwusigo | Ozubulu | Anambra South |
| 10 | Idemili North | Ogidi | Anambra Central |
| 11 | Idemili South | Ojoto | Anambra Central |
| 12 | Ihiala | Ihiala | Anambra South |
| 13 | Njikoka | Abagana | Anambra Central |
| 14 | Nnewi North | Nnewi | Anambra South |
| 15 | Nnewi South | Ukpor | Anambra South |
| 16 | Ogbaru | Atani | Anambra North |
| 17 | Onitsha North | Onitsha | Anambra North |
| 18 | Onitsha South | Fegge | Anambra North |
| 19 | Orumba North | Ajalli | Anambra South |
| 20 | Orumba South | Umunze | Anambra South |
| 21 | Oyi | Nteje | Anambra North |
Detailed Overview by Senatorial District
Anambra North Senatorial District
The Anambra North senatorial district comprises seven local government areas:
1. Anambra East LGA – Headquarters: Otuocha. Towns include Aguleri, Eziagulu Otu Aguleri, Mkpunando-Otu Aguleri, Nando, Igbariam, Umuoba Anam, Umueri, and Nsugbe. Rich in unexplored oil and gas deposits. Notable people include former Governor Willie Obiano.
2. Anambra West LGA – Headquarters: Nzam. Towns include Mmiata Anam, Umuenwelum Anam, Oroma-Etiti, Umueze Anam, Umuikwu Anam, Ukwalla, Inoma-Akator, Igbedor, Odekpe, and Iyiora Anam. Regarded as the food basket of Anambra State and rich in crude oil and natural gas.
3. Ayamelum LGA – Headquarters: Anaku. An agricultural LGA in the northern part of the state.
4. Ogbaru LGA – Headquarters: Atani. A riverine LGA along the Niger River.
5. Onitsha North LGA – Headquarters: Onitsha. One of the two LGAs covering the historic commercial city of Onitsha.
6. Onitsha South LGA – Headquarters: Fegge. Covers the southern part of Onitsha, including the famous Onitsha Main Market.
7. Oyi LGA – Headquarters: Nteje. Towns include Nteje, Awkuzu, Ogbunike, Nkwere-Ezunaka, and Umunya. Emerging as an industrial powerhouse in 2026 as the host of the Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City.
Anambra Central Senatorial District
The Anambra Central senatorial district comprises seven local government areas:
8. Anaocha LGA – Headquarters: Neni. Towns include Aguluzigbo, Akwaeze, Agulu, Ichida, Adazi-Enu, Adazi-Ani, Adazi-Nnukwu, Nri, and Obeledu. Falls under the Anambra South senatorial district.
9. Awka North LGA – Headquarters: Achalla. Covers the northern outskirts of the state capital.
10. Awka South LGA – Headquarters: Awka. The state capital and administrative heart of Anambra. Undergoing expansion into a “Smart City” hub under the “Awka 2.0” project, with the completion of the International Conference Centre (ICC) internal dual carriage driveways in early 2026.
11. Dunukofia LGA – Headquarters: Ukpo. Located in the central part of the state.
12. Idemili North LGA – Headquarters: Ogidi. A densely populated LGA in the Idemili River basin.
13. Idemili South LGA – Headquarters: Ojoto. The headquarters is located at the Ojoto secretariat.
14. Njikoka LGA – Headquarters: Abagana. Located in the central senatorial district.
Anambra South Senatorial District
The Anambra South senatorial district comprises seven local government areas:
15. Aguata LGA – Headquarters: Ekwulobia. Towns include Akpo, Ekwulobia, Achina, Uga, Isuofia, Umuchu, Umuona, Nkpologwu, Ezinifite, Ikenga, Aguluezechukwu, Amesi, Igbo-Ukwu, and Oraeri. Notable for being the hometown of Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Home to the massive Ekwulobia Stadium Complex, featuring an IAAF-standard track.
16. Ekwusigo LGA – Headquarters: Ozubulu. Located in the southern part of the state.
17. Ihiala LGA – Headquarters: Ihiala. A major agricultural LGA in the south.
18. Nnewi North LGA – Headquarters: Nnewi. The historic “Japan of Africa” , known for its automotive parts manufacturing and industrial prowess.
19. Nnewi South LGA – Headquarters: Ukpor. Covers the southern part of the Nnewi area.
20. Orumba North LGA – Headquarters: Ajalli. Located in the southeastern part of the state.
21. Orumba South LGA – Headquarters: Umunze. Covers the southern part of the Orumba area.
Key Facts About Anambra State
| Fact | Detail |
| Capital | Awka |
| Slogan | “Light of the Nation” |
| Date of Creation | August 27, 1991 |
| Created By | General Ibrahim Babangida |
| Total Land Area | 4,844 km² |
| Population | Approximately 5,999,910 |
| Number of LGAs | 21 |
| Senatorial Districts | 3 (Anambra North, Anambra Central, Anambra South) |
| Geopolitical Zone | South-East |
| Governor (2026) | Prof. Chukwuma Soludo (APGA) |
| Second Term Began | March 17, 2026 |
| Major Ethnic Group | Igbo |
| Major Industries | Manufacturing, Commerce, Agriculture, Automotive Parts |
2026 Economic & Administrative Developments
Under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, Anambra State has recorded significant developments in 2026 across its 21 LGAs:
2026 Budget
The state is operating under a budget that allocates a massive 79% to Capital Expenditure for infrastructure and urban renewal.
Transformation Hubs Under “Changing Gears 3.0”
- Awka South (Awka 2.0): The state capital is expanding into a “Smart City” hub, with the completion of the International Conference Centre (ICC) internal dual carriage driveways in early 2026.
- Aguata (Ekwulobia): Home to the massive Ekwulobia Stadium Complex, featuring an IAAF-standard track and a regional flyover/shopping mall terminal.
- Onitsha North & South: The “Greater Niger” project is revitalizing the commercial landscape of Onitsha, focusing on urban drainage and road dualization.
- Oyi: This LGA is becoming an industrial powerhouse as the host of the Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City, which officially commenced construction in 2026.
2026 Local Government Elections
The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) has scheduled the chairmanship and councillorship elections for August 29, 2026, promising a free, fair, credible, and acceptable poll across all 21 local government areas.
Community Administration Law
In June 2026, Governor Soludo announced a proposed law that would formally recognise the 179 communities in Anambra State and include a schedule indicating the communities under each of the 21 Local Government Areas.
Major Towns/Cities in Anambra State
Major towns and cities in the state include:
- Awka – State capital
- Onitsha – Historic commercial city on the Niger River
- Nnewi – Industrial hub, known as the “Japan of Africa”
- Ekwulobia – Headquarters of Aguata LGA and Governor Soludo’s hometown
- Otuocha – Headquarters of Anambra East LGA
- Ozubulu – Headquarters of Ekwusigo LGA
- Ogidi – Headquarters of Idemili North LGA
- Ihiala – Headquarters of Ihiala LGA
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