Asaba: The Capital Named “I Have Chosen Well”
Asaba sits on the western bank of the Niger River as the capital of Delta State and the administrative center of Oshimili South Local Government Area.
Founded in 1884 by Nnebisi, the city’s name comes from “Ahabam,” meaning “I have chosen well.” It later served as the colonial capital of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate and hosted the Royal Niger Company between 1886 and 1900.
Where it sits
Oshimili South covers about 268 square kilometers and had a population of roughly 150,000 at the 2006 census, though the wider metropolitan area today exceeds 500,000. The Second Niger Bridge connects Asaba across the river to its longtime trading partner, Onitsha.
Landmarks
Stephen Keshi Stadium, recently renovated, hosts international competitions. Asaba International Airport was commissioned in 2011, and a Film Village opened in 2023, the same year UNESCO named Asaba a City of Film. Ogbe-Ogonogo Modern Market is one of the city’s main markets.
Who lives here
The native Anioma people speak the Enuani dialect of Igbo, though, as the state capital, Asaba now draws residents from across Nigeria working in civil service, textiles, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and steel production, alongside a growing entertainment sector tied to Nollywood.
Delta · Oshimili South
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