Coal City State

Enugu State is an inland state in southeastern Nigeria. Its capital is Enugu, from which the state - created in 1991 from the old Anambra State - derives its name. The principal cities in the state are Enugu and Nsukka.

Enugu State is one of the States in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. The state shares borders with Abia and Imo States to the South, Ebonyi State to the East, Benue State to the Northeast, Kogi State to the northwest and Anambra State to the West.

The name of State derives from its capital city, Enugu. The word “Enugu” means “the top of the hill”. The first European settlers arrived in the area in 1909, led by a British mining engineer, Kikson. In his quest for silver, he discovered coal in the Udi Ridge. Colonial Governor of Nigeria Frederick Lugard took keen interest in the discovery, and by 1914 the first shipment of coal was made to Britain. As mining activities increased in the area, a permanent cosmopolitan settlement emerged, supported by a railway system. Enugu acquired township status in 1917, and became strategic to British interests. Foreign businesses began to move into Enugu, the most notable of which were John Holt, Kingsway Stores, British Bank of West Africa and United Africa Company.

Government in Enugu State occurs at two levels, state and local. Overall authority is exercised by the Executive Governor, elected by popular mandate. Political authority is exercised under a presidential system of government. There is also a popularly elected legislature, the Enugu State House of Assembly.

Economically, the state is predominantly rural and agrarian, with a substantial proportion of its working population engaged in farming, although trading (18.8%) and services (12.9%) are also important. In the urban areas trading is the dominant occupation, followed by services. A small proportion of the population is also engaged in manufacturing activities, with the most pronounced among them located in Enugu, Oji, Ohebedim and Nsukka.

Enugu State has a population of about 2.5 million people. It is home to the Igbo and the Igala people, among others.