Cross River State, Nigeria

Cross River State

"The People's Paradise"

At a Glance

CapitalCalabar
Geopolitical ZoneSouth South
Date CreatedMay 27, 1967
Created FromCreated from the former Eastern Region as South-Eastern State on 27 May 1967 and renamed Cross River State in 1976
Area20,156 km²
GovernorBassey Edet Otu (APC) — since 2023
NicknameThe People's Paradise
No. of LGAs36

Cross River State, popularly known as the People's Paradise, is a culturally diverse state in southeastern Nigeria's South South geopolitical zone. Its capital is Calabar, a historic city associated with international trade, missionary activity, colonial administration and the history of the transatlantic slave trade. The state is renowned for its rainforests, mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, festivals and diverse indigenous peoples.

Cross River was created on 27 May 1967 as South-Eastern State from the former Eastern Region and was renamed Cross River State in 1976. In 1987, the territory that became Akwa Ibom State was separated from Cross River. Today, Cross River has 18 Local Government Areas and remains one of Nigeria's most important tourism and ecological destinations. Explore: History | Geography | Culture | Economy | Traditional Rulers | Governors | Education | Landmarks | Notable People | 18 LGAs.

History of Cross River State

Pre-Colonial Cross River — Ancient Communities and Kingdoms

The history of present-day Cross River State stretches back centuries before colonial rule. The region was home to numerous peoples and communities including the Efik, Ejagham, Bekwarra, Bette, Boki, Yakurr, Mbembe, Yala, Igede, Bahumono, Efut and several other groups. These societies developed distinctive political systems, languages, religious traditions, economic practices and forms of artistic expression.

The lower Cross River basin became an important area of commerce. Communities traded agricultural products, fish, salt, palm produce, forest products, livestock and manufactured goods. River systems provided transportation and connected inland communities with coastal trading centres.

Among the most historically prominent centres was Old Calabar, associated principally with Efik merchant communities. Through riverine trade networks, Calabar developed commercial relationships with European traders along the West African coast. The region became particularly important in the Atlantic trade from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries onward.

In the interior, communities developed independent political institutions. Some were organised around kingship, councils of elders, age-grade systems and clan structures. The diversity of Cross River's peoples means that there was never one political kingdom controlling the entire territory.

Colonial Cross River — Old Calabar and British Administration

European commercial activity around Calabar increased substantially from the seventeenth century. European traders became involved in the coastal commerce of Old Calabar, with local merchant houses becoming influential intermediaries. The area became associated with the Atlantic slave trade before the British abolition of the trade and the subsequent expansion of British political influence.

Christian missionaries arrived in the Calabar region during the nineteenth century. Missionary education and Christianity gradually expanded, particularly through institutions associated with the Presbyterian Church and other missionary organisations. The establishment of schools helped create an educated elite that later contributed to Nigerian public life.

British political authority expanded during the late nineteenth century. Calabar became an important colonial administrative centre. The British introduced new administrative structures while existing traditional institutions continued to operate in modified forms.

Colonial economic activity included palm produce, timber and other agricultural and forest products. Calabar's location on the coast and its river connections helped it remain an important commercial and administrative centre.

Cross River at Nigerian Independence — Eastern Region

At Nigerian independence in 1960, the territory that now forms Cross River State was part of the Eastern Region. The region was politically and economically important and included a large number of culturally diverse communities.

Following Nigeria's first military coup and the political crisis of the mid-1960s, the regional system was reorganised. On 27 May 1967, the military government of General Yakubu Gowon created twelve states from Nigeria's former regions. One of the new states was South-Eastern State, covering much of what is now Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

The creation of states was intended partly to reduce regional concentration of political power and address minority concerns. The new South-Eastern State had Calabar as its administrative capital.

Creation of Cross River State — 1967 and 1976

Cross River State traces its modern administrative origin to 27 May 1967, when South-Eastern State was created from the former Eastern Region. Brigadier Udoakaha Esuene became the first military governor of the new state.

In the 1976 state creation and renaming exercise under the military government of General Murtala Mohammed, South-Eastern State was renamed Cross River State. The name was derived from the Cross River, one of the major geographical features of the region.

The state subsequently underwent another major territorial change in 1987, when the area that became Akwa Ibom State was excised from Cross River during the creation of additional states under General Ibrahim Babangida.

Despite these changes, Calabar remained the capital and Cross River retained a distinctive identity built around its multicultural population, forests, rivers, mountains and long history of coastal commerce.

Modern Cross River — Tourism, Agriculture and Cultural Heritage

Since the return to democratic government in 1999, Cross River has increasingly promoted tourism, culture, agriculture and environmental conservation as major components of its economic strategy. Calabar became particularly associated with the annual Calabar Carnival, which has developed into one of Nigeria's best-known cultural festivals.

The state possesses exceptional ecological diversity. The Cross River National Park, Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Obudu highlands, Kwa Falls and Agbokim Waterfalls are among its major natural assets. The state also contains internationally significant cultural heritage, including the Ikom Monoliths and historic sites associated with Old Calabar.

Agriculture remains fundamental to the economy. Cocoa, rice, cassava, oil palm, rubber, banana, pineapple and other crops are cultivated across the state. The government has increasingly promoted commercial agriculture, agro-processing and investment in value chains.

Cross River also has a diverse education sector anchored by institutions such as the University of Calabar, University of Cross River State, Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Ogoja, and other tertiary institutions.

Old Calabar and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

The history of Old Calabar is closely connected to the history of Atlantic commerce in West Africa. Efik merchant communities established powerful trading networks along the Cross River estuary and surrounding waterways. European merchants traded with local commercial houses, and the region became an important centre in the transatlantic slave trade.

The slave trade had profound consequences for communities around the Cross River. People were captured, sold and transported through coastal trading networks, while political and commercial relationships were transformed by European demand.

British abolition of the slave trade and later anti-slavery policies changed the commercial structure of the region. Palm produce and other legitimate commodities increasingly replaced slave trading as major exports.

Today, Calabar's museums, historic buildings and memorial sites help preserve the memory of this difficult period. The history forms an important part of understanding both Cross River and the wider history of West Africa.

Missionary Education and the Development of Calabar

Christian missionary organisations played a major role in the development of formal education in the Calabar area during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Presbyterian Church established schools and mission stations that contributed significantly to literacy and Christian education.

Hope Waddell Training Institution, founded in Calabar in the nineteenth century, became one of the region's most important educational institutions. Its graduates included professionals and public figures who contributed to the development of Nigeria.

Missionary education helped create a new educated class in Cross River that participated in public administration, politics, journalism, medicine, education and religious leadership.

Overview

Cross River State is one of Nigeria's most culturally and ecologically diverse states. Its history combines ancient indigenous societies, coastal trade, the Atlantic slave trade, British colonial administration, missionary education, state creation and modern tourism development.

Calabar remains the political and cultural capital. Other important centres include Ikom, Ogoja, Obudu, Ugep, Akamkpa, Odukpani and Obubra. The state's geographic diversity ranges from coastal mangroves and rainforest to highland landscapes and mountain plateaus.

Geography of Cross River State

Topography

Cross River has one of the most varied landscapes in Nigeria. The southern part contains coastal plains, mangrove areas and rainforest, while the central region contains rolling hills and dense forest. The northern part rises toward the Obudu Plateau and surrounding mountains. The state's highlands, forests and river valleys make its physical geography particularly distinctive.

Rivers & Waterways

The Cross River is the state's principal river and gives the state its name. Other important rivers and waterways include the Calabar River, Great Kwa River, Afi River and numerous tributaries. These waterways have historically supported fishing, transportation, agriculture and commerce.

Forests & Vegetation

Cross River contains extensive tropical rainforest and some of Nigeria's most important remaining forest ecosystems. The state contains parts of the Cross River National Park and other protected forests. Afi Mountain and surrounding forest areas provide habitat for rare primates and other wildlife. Coastal areas contain mangroves and wetland ecosystems.

Climate

Climate type: Tropical rainforest, tropical monsoon and highland climates

Climate varies significantly from the humid coastal areas around Calabar to the cooler highland conditions around Obudu. Southern Cross River experiences substantial rainfall and high humidity, while the northern highlands have cooler temperatures. Rainfall generally follows a pronounced wet season, with shorter dry periods in many areas.

Bordering States

Cross River State shares boundaries with: Benue, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Akwa Ibom.

International Borders

Cameroon

Culture & People of Cross River State

Ethnic Groups

Cross River is one of Nigeria's most ethnically diverse states. Major indigenous groups include the Efik, Ejagham, Efut, Bette, Boki, Bekwarra, Yakurr, Yala, Igede, Mbembe, Bahumono, Adim, Ekoi and numerous related communities. Each group maintains distinctive traditions, languages and social institutions.

Languages

Cross River has numerous indigenous languages and dialects. Efik, Ejagham, Bekwarra, Boki, Yakurr, Yala, Igede, Mbembe and other languages are spoken across different parts of the state. English is the official language, while Nigerian Pidgin is widely used for inter-ethnic communication, especially in urban centres.

Festivals & Celebrations

Major festivals include the internationally recognised Calabar Carnival, Leboku New Yam Festival in Ugep, Etomi New Yam Festival, traditional dances and masquerade festivals, cultural celebrations among Boki and Ejagham communities, and numerous local harvest and royal festivals. The Calabar Carnival is one of the state's most visible modern cultural events.

Traditional Food

Cross River cuisine reflects its coastal, rainforest and agricultural environment. Popular foods include Edikang Ikong, Afang soup, Ekpang Nkukwo, Editan soup, Afere Atama, fisherman soup, pepper soup, pounded yam, garri, rice, plantain, cassava and yam. Efik and related cuisines are particularly well known throughout Nigeria.

Traditional Attire

Traditional clothing varies among ethnic groups. Efik ceremonial dress may include elaborate wrappers, beads, headpieces and decorated garments. Other communities use locally woven fabrics, wrappers, shirts, beads, raffia and ceremonial accessories. Traditional attire is especially prominent during festivals, weddings, coronations and cultural performances.

Music & Dance

Music and dance vary widely across Cross River. Traditional instruments include drums, wooden gongs, rattles, flutes and other percussion instruments. Masquerade dances, royal music, harvest performances and community dance groups are important parts of cultural life. Modern Cross River music also blends indigenous rhythms with contemporary Nigerian genres.

Arts & Crafts

Traditional arts and crafts include wood carving, pottery, weaving, beadwork, raffia work, basketry, mask making and stone carving. The famous Ikom Monoliths represent one of the state's most important indigenous artistic and archaeological traditions. Raffia and wood are widely used in traditional crafts and ceremonial objects.

Traditional Rulers of Cross River State

Calabar Kingdom

LGA: Calabar Municipal

The Obong of Calabar is the traditional head of the Efik people and an important cultural institution in Cross River State. The institution emerged from the historic political and commercial organisation of Efik communities around Old Calabar. The Obong's role includes cultural representation, traditional leadership and the preservation of Efik heritage.

Ogoja Kingdom

LGA: Ogoja

Ogoja is one of the major traditional and administrative centres of northern Cross River. Its traditional institutions represent the diverse communities of the Ogoja area and remain important in cultural affairs, customary leadership and community development.

Ugep Kingdom

LGA: Yakurr

Ugep is the principal town of Yakurr and the centre of one of Cross River's most prominent cultural traditions. The Leboku New Yam Festival is one of the best-known annual celebrations in the area and reflects the agricultural and cultural heritage of the Yakurr people.

Obudu Traditional Area

LGA: Obudu

Obudu is an important traditional and cultural centre in northern Cross River. The area is home to diverse communities and is internationally known for the surrounding mountain landscapes and Obudu highlands.

Boki Traditional Communities

LGA: Boki

Boki communities occupy a large forested area along the Cameroon border. Traditional councils and community leaders play important roles in customary affairs, cultural preservation, land matters and community organisation.

Bekwarra Traditional Area

LGA: Bekwarra

The Bekwarra people maintain traditional institutions that preserve customary law, festivals, family structures and community leadership. The Bekwarra area lies in northern Cross River and has strong agricultural traditions.

Etung Traditional Area

LGA: Etung

Etung is located near the Cameroon border and is culturally associated with Ejagham and related communities. Traditional institutions remain important in community affairs, land administration and cultural preservation.

Biase Traditional Area

LGA: Biase

Biase contains several indigenous communities with established traditional institutions. The area is strongly agricultural and contains forest landscapes, rivers and communities connected historically through trade and kinship.

Economy of Cross River State

Cross River's economy is based on agriculture, tourism, trade, public services, education, forestry, construction, hospitality and emerging industrial activities. The state's large land area and ecological diversity provide opportunities for commercial agriculture, agro-processing, tourism and conservation-related businesses.

Tourism is particularly important because Cross River combines coastal heritage, rainforest ecosystems, mountain landscapes, waterfalls, wildlife and major cultural festivals. Agriculture remains the principal livelihood for many rural communities.

Agriculture

Major crops include cocoa, rice, cassava, oil palm, rubber, banana, pineapple, plantain, maize, yam, vegetables and other food crops. The state is one of Nigeria's important cocoa-producing areas. Rice production is significant in parts of the central and northern agricultural zones, while oil palm and rubber are important in suitable rainforest areas.

Natural Resources

Cross River possesses resources including limestone, clay, salt, tin, granite, basalt, quartzite, kaolin, sand and feldspar. Its extensive forests also contain valuable timber and non-timber forest resources. Mineral development requires appropriate environmental safeguards because of the state's sensitive rainforest ecosystems.

Industries

Industrial and processing activities include cocoa processing, palm-oil processing, rice processing, food processing, timber-related activities, construction materials, quarrying, hospitality and small-scale manufacturing. Tinapa was developed as a major commercial and tourism-oriented investment project near Calabar.

Commerce & Trade

Calabar is the principal commercial centre. Other important markets and trading centres include Ikom, Ogoja, Ugep, Obudu, Akamkpa, Obubra and Odukpani. Agricultural products move from rural areas to urban markets while Calabar provides a major distribution and service centre.

Government of Cross River State

Since its creation, Cross River State has been governed by the following:

# Name Party Period Note
1 Bassey Otu APC 2023 — Present
2 Udoakaha Jacob Esuene 1967 — 1975 Military Governor — first military governor of South-Eastern State, created on 27 May 1967 from the former Eastern Region.
3 Paul Ofuoma Omu 1976 — 1978 Military Governor — administered the state during the period when South-Eastern State was renamed Cross River State.
4 Babatunde Elegbede 1978 — 1979 Military Governor — served until the return to civilian democratic government in 1979.
5 Clement Nyong Isong NPN 1979 — 1983 Civilian Governor — first elected civilian governor of the state during the Second Republic.
6 Donald Etiebet NPN 1983 — 1983 Civilian Governor — served briefly before the military coup of December 1983.
7 Edet Archibong 1984 — 1984 Military Administrator — served during the early period of renewed military rule.
8 Dan Patrick Archibong 1984 — 1986 Military Administrator — continued military administration during the Buhari-Idiagbon era and transition into the Babangida period.
9 Eben Ibim Princewill 1986 — 1989 Military Administrator — governed Cross River during the Babangida administration.
10 Ernest Kizito Attah 1989 — 1992 Military Administrator — served until the return to elected civilian government in the early 1990s.
11 Clement David Ebri NRC 1992 — 1993 Civilian Governor — first elected civilian governor of the current Cross River State during the short-lived Third Republic.
12 Ibrahim Kefas 1993 — 1994 Military Administrator — appointed after the military takeover following the annulment of the Third Republic.
13 Gregory Agboneni 1994 — 1996 Military Administrator — served during the military administration of General Sani Abacha.
14 Umar Farouk Ahmed 1996 — 1998 Military Administrator — served during the Abacha administration.
15 Christopher Osondu 1998 — 1999 Military Administrator — last military administrator before the restoration of democratic government in May 1999.
16 Donald Etim Duke PDP 1999 — 2007 Civilian Governor — led Cross River during the first two terms of the Fourth Republic and strongly promoted tourism and the Calabar Carnival.
17 Liyel Imoke PDP 2007 — 2015 Civilian Governor — served two terms and focused on infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic development.
18 Benedict Ayade PDP 2015 — 2023 Civilian Governor — served two terms. He later moved from the PDP to the APC in 2021.
19 Bassey Edet Otu APC 2023 — Present Civilian Governor — elected in 2023 and sworn in on 29 May 2023. He is the incumbent Governor of Cross River State.

Full governors history →

Education & Institutions in Cross River State

  • University of Calabar Federal — Est. 1975 — Calabar Municipal LGA
  • University of Cross River State State — Est. 2002 — Calabar Municipal LGA
  • Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Ogoja Federal — Est. 2022 — Ogoja LGA

Landmarks & Tourist Attractions in Cross River State

Obudu Mountain Resort

Obanliku LGA

Obudu Mountain Resort, located on the Obudu Plateau, is one of Nigeria's most famous mountain tourism destinations. The highland landscape is characterised by cool temperatures, rolling hills, forested slopes and spectacular views. The resort became internationally known through the Obudu Mountain Race and tourism development on the plateau.

Cross River National Park

Akamkpa/Boki LGA

The Cross River National Park protects one of Nigeria's most important rainforest ecosystems. The park contains exceptional biodiversity, including rare primates, birds, trees and other wildlife. Its forests form part of the wider ecological landscape extending toward the Cameroon highlands.

Agbokim Waterfalls

Etung LGA

Agbokim Waterfalls is a spectacular seven-tiered waterfall system in Etung Local Government Area near the Cameroon border. Multiple streams cascade over rocky cliffs surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. The waterfall is one of Cross River's most important natural tourism attractions.

Kwa Falls

Akamkpa LGA

Kwa Falls is a major waterfall attraction associated with the rainforest landscape near Calabar and the Cross River National Park area. The falls are surrounded by dense vegetation and rocky terrain and form part of the state's eco-tourism circuit.

Ikom Monoliths

Ikom LGA

The Ikom Monoliths, also known as the Alok Stone Monoliths, are a collection of carved volcanic-stone monuments found around Ikom. The stones contain distinctive carved designs and are considered important examples of indigenous African art and heritage. They are distributed across several communities.

Tinapa Business Resort

Calabar LGA

Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort was developed near Calabar as a major commercial, hospitality and tourism project. It contains facilities associated with shopping, leisure, entertainment and hospitality and became one of the state's best-known modern tourism investments.

Calabar National Museum

Calabar Municipal LGA

The Calabar National Museum is housed in a historic colonial-era building and preserves materials relating to the history and culture of the Calabar region. Its collections help visitors understand Efik society, colonial administration and the wider history of the Cross River area.

Old Residency Museum

Calabar Municipal LGA

The Old Residency is one of Calabar's important colonial heritage buildings. It served as a centre of British administration and today forms part of the city's historical tourism landscape.

All landmarks →

Notable People from Cross River State

  • Mary Slessor (0000–1915) — Scottish missionary who spent much of her missionary career in the Old Calabar region and became one of the most famous historical figures associated with Cross River.
  • Hope Masterton Waddell (0000–0000) — Scottish Presbyterian missionary associated with the development of Christian education and missionary work in the Calabar region.
  • Duke Town Ephraim — Historic Efik leader associated with the development of the Old Calabar trading polity and the emergence of Duke Town as an important commercial centre.
  • Eyo Ita (1903–1977) — Educator, politician and prominent nationalist figure from the Calabar area who participated in Nigerian political development before independence.
  • Etim Inyang (1930–2016) — Former Inspector-General of Police of Nigeria and senior public servant associated with Cross River.
  • Ntufam Edet A. O. Oqua — Traditional and community leadership figure associated with the historical development of the Calabar area.

Politics & Government

  • Clement Isong (1920–2000) — Economist, former Governor of Cross River State during the Second Republic and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
  • Donald Duke (1961) — Governor of Cross River State from 1999 to 2007. He became internationally associated with the development of tourism and the Calabar Carnival.
  • Liyel Imoke (1961) — Governor of Cross River State from 2007 to 2015 and former federal minister and senator.
  • Benedict Ayade (1968) — Governor of Cross River State from 2015 to 2023 and former senator representing Cross River North.
  • Bassey Edet Otu (1960) — Governor of Cross River State since 2023 and former senator representing Cross River South.

Military

  • Udoakaha Esuene (1936–1993) — First military governor of South-Eastern State after its creation in 1967 and one of the most important military administrators in the early history of the state.

Full notable people list →

Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Cross River State

Cross River State has 36 Local Government Areas:

  1. Abi — HQ: Itigidi Agricultural LGA in central Cross River. Communities include Itigidi and other settlements along the Cross River system. Agriculture and river-related activities are important to the local economy.
  2. Akamkpa — HQ: Akamkpa Large rainforest LGA containing important ecological areas and tourist attractions including Kwa Falls. It forms part of the wider Cross River National Park landscape.
  3. Abi — HQ: Itigidi (282 km²) Abi is a Local Government Area in central Cross River State. It is known for its agricultural communities, river systems and the historic town of Itigidi.
  4. Akpabuyo — HQ: Ikang Coastal LGA near Calabar with fishing, agriculture, palm production and cross-border commercial activity. The area contains riverine and mangrove environments.
  5. Akamkpa — HQ: Akamkpa (5,007 km²) Akamkpa is one of the largest Local Government Areas in Cross River State by land area and contains extensive forest landscapes and rural communities.
  6. Bakassi — HQ: Abana Coastal LGA located around the Bakassi Peninsula area. Fishing, coastal agriculture and maritime activities are important to local livelihoods.
  7. Akpabuyo — HQ: Ikot Nakanda (843 km²) Akpabuyo is located in the Greater Calabar area and shares cultural and economic connections with Calabar and neighbouring coastal communities.
  8. Bekwarra — HQ: Abuochiche Northern Cross River LGA dominated by Bekwarra communities. Agriculture is a major economic activity, with yam, cassava, rice and other crops cultivated in the area.
  9. Bakassi — HQ: Ikang (657 km²) Bakassi is a coastal Local Government Area in Cross River State with a complex modern political history associated with the Nigeria-Cameroon boundary dispute.
  10. Biase — HQ: Akpet Central Cross River LGA with extensive agricultural and forest resources. Communities engage in farming, palm production and other rural economic activities.
  11. Bekwarra — HQ: Abuochiche (306 km²) Bekwarra is a northern Cross River LGA known for its distinctive language, agricultural communities and cultural traditions.
  12. Boki — HQ: Boje Large forested LGA along the Cameroon border. Boki is known for cocoa production, rainforest biodiversity, mountains and conservation areas including Afi Mountain.
  13. Biase — HQ: Akpet Central (1,311 km²) Biase is an agricultural LGA in central-southern Cross River State with extensive rural communities and forested landscapes.
  14. Calabar Municipal — HQ: Calabar Capital-city LGA containing much of central Calabar. It is the political, commercial, tourism and cultural centre of Cross River State and contains important museums and historic sites.
  15. Boki — HQ: Boje (2,772 km²) Boki is one of Cross River State's major rainforest LGAs and is associated with cocoa production, biodiversity and tourism potential.
  16. Calabar South — HQ: Anantigha Densely populated urban LGA forming part of metropolitan Calabar. It contains residential, commercial, waterfront and historic communities.
  17. Calabar Municipal — HQ: Calabar (147 km²) Calabar Municipal is the administrative and historic core of Cross River State and contains major government, commercial and cultural institutions.
  18. Etung — HQ: Effraya LGA near the Cameroon border known for cocoa, rainforest landscapes and Agbokim Waterfalls. It is one of the state's important tourism and agricultural areas.
  19. Calabar South — HQ: Anantigha (222 km²) Calabar South forms part of the metropolitan Calabar area and contains densely populated urban and peri-urban communities.
  20. Ikom — HQ: Ikom Major commercial centre in central Cross River. Ikom is internationally known for the Ikom Monoliths and serves as an important agricultural and trading centre.
  21. Etung — HQ: Effraya (816 km²) Etung is a cocoa-producing LGA in eastern Cross River State bordering Cameroon and known for its rainforest environment.
  22. Obanliku — HQ: Sankwala Northern highland LGA containing the famous Obudu Plateau and major mountain tourism attractions. The area has cool highland conditions and extensive scenic landscapes.
  23. Ikom — HQ: Ikom (1,962 km²) Ikom is a major commercial and agricultural centre in central Cross River State and an important gateway toward Cameroon.
  24. Obubra — HQ: Obubra Central Cross River LGA with a strong agricultural economy. Communities include the Mbembe people, and the area contains forests, caves and other natural attractions.
  25. Obanliku — HQ: Sankwala (1,057 km²) Obanliku is home to the Obudu Plateau and some of the most dramatic mountain landscapes in Cross River State.
  26. Obudu — HQ: Obudu Northern Cross River LGA and an important agricultural and cultural centre. Obudu is associated with the Obudu highlands and is one of the state's best-known tourism gateways.
  27. Obubra — HQ: Obubra (1,115 km²) Obubra is a major agricultural LGA in central Cross River State and is associated with rice production.
  28. Odukpani — HQ: Odukpani LGA immediately north of Calabar with important road and river connections. Agriculture, commerce and transportation are significant activities.
  29. Obudu — HQ: Obudu (454 km²) Obudu is one of northern Cross River State's best-known LGAs and is closely associated with the Obudu Mountain Resort and highland tourism.
  30. Ogoja — HQ: Ogoja Major northern Cross River LGA and commercial centre. Agriculture, education, commerce and public administration are important to the local economy.
  31. Odukpani — HQ: Odukpani Qua Town (1,351 km²) Odukpani is located immediately north of metropolitan Calabar and forms an important link between the capital and communities in central Cross River.
  32. Yakurr — HQ: Ugep LGA famous for the Yakurr people, Ugep and the annual Leboku New Yam Festival. Agriculture and cultural tourism are major parts of the area's identity.
  33. Ogoja — HQ: Ogoja (973 km²) Ogoja is a major administrative and commercial centre in northern Cross River State and an important regional town.
  34. Yala — HQ: Ugep Northern Cross River LGA containing Yala-speaking communities and agricultural settlements. The area is known for farming and cross-border regional trade.
  35. Yakurr — HQ: Ugep (670 km²) Yakurr is famous for its rich cultural traditions and the annual Leboku New Yam Festival celebrated by the Ugep people.
  36. Yala — HQ: Okpoma (1,740 km²) Yala is one of the largest LGAs in northern Cross River State and contains diverse communities including Yala, Igede, Ukelle and related groups.

Detailed LGA information →

Did You Know? — Cross River State Facts

  • Cross River State was created on 27 May 1967 as South-Eastern State from the former Eastern Region of Nigeria.
  • South-Eastern State was renamed Cross River State during the 1976 state creation and reorganisation exercise.
  • The capital of Cross River State is Calabar.
  • Cross River State currently has 18 Local Government Areas.
  • Akwa Ibom State was created from Cross River State in 1987 during the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
  • Cross River is popularly known as the People's Paradise because of its natural beauty, cultural diversity and tourism attractions.
  • The Cross River gives the state its name and is one of its most important rivers.
  • Calabar has a long history as a major trading and administrative centre in the Gulf of Guinea region.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cross River State

What is Cross River State known for?

Cross River State is known for tourism, rainforest ecosystems, mountains, waterfalls, cultural diversity, Calabar Carnival, the Ikom Monoliths, Obudu Plateau, Cross River National Park, historic Calabar and its long connection with coastal trade.

What is the capital of Cross River State?

The capital of Cross River State is Calabar. Calabar is the political, commercial, cultural and tourism centre of the state and has a long history associated with Old Calabar and colonial administration.

When was Cross River State created?

Cross River State traces its modern administrative origin to 27 May 1967, when South-Eastern State was created from the former Eastern Region. The state was renamed Cross River State in 1976.

Who is the current Governor of Cross River State?

The current Governor of Cross River State is Senator Bassey Edet Otu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He assumed office on 29 May 2023.

How many Local Government Areas are in Cross River State?

Cross River State has 18 Local Government Areas: Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Bekwarra, Biase, Boki, Calabar Municipal, Calabar South, Etung, Ikom, Obanliku, Obubra, Obudu, Odukpani, Ogoja, Yakurr and Yala.

What ethnic groups are found in Cross River State?

Cross River is highly ethnically diverse. Major indigenous groups include the Efik, Ejagham, Boki, Bekwarra, Yakurr, Yala, Igede, Mbembe, Bette, Efut, Bahumono and several other communities.

What languages are spoken in Cross River State?

Cross River has many indigenous languages including Efik, Ejagham, Bekwarra, Boki, Yakurr, Yala, Igede and Mbembe. English is the official language, while Nigerian Pidgin is widely used for inter-ethnic communication.

Why is Cross River called the People's Paradise?

Cross River is popularly known as the People's Paradise because of its exceptional natural landscapes, rainforests, mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, cultural diversity and tourism attractions.