Afikpo

Afikpo is the second largest city in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. It is the home town of the late Eze (DR) Akanu Ibiam, one of the first Igbo medical doctors and the former Governor of Eastern region.

The city had an estimated population 672,000 in 2005. Afikpo is a mecca of ancient Igbo tradition and ceremonial (now antique) masks which have been carefully preserved by the state tourism board. Afikpo hosts the Prestigeous Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Uwana and the legendary Mater Misericordia Specialist Hospital, Afikpo. The Mater Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing and Midwifery was one of the first and probably remains the finest nursing school established in Nigeria by the Irish missionaries and Dr. Akanu Ibiam.

Afikpo has produced numerous academicians, Governors, and world class businessmen. Life is a little bit less rancourous and peaceful in Afikpo than similar cities elsewhere in Nigeria. The city however has recently been experiencing an acute shortage of residential accommodation, especially for the civil servants. That problem is thus being adequately addressed by the state Government. Afikpo is a major food basket of Nigeria.