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Igboid · Nigeria’s peoples

Anioma (Enuani)

The Enuani speaking peoples of Aniocha and Oshimili, on the west bank of the Niger around Asaba, Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, Issele and Illah.

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At a glance

Where do the Anioma (Enuani) people live?
Their homeland is in Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South in Delta State, across 4 local government areas.
What language do the Anioma (Enuani) speak?
Enuani (a dialect of Igbo), a language of the Igboid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Igboid).

Overview

The Enuani speaking peoples of Aniocha and Oshimili, on the west bank of the Niger around Asaba, Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, Issele and Illah. The Anioma are a fusion of peoples: their towns trace their founders to the Igbo east of the Niger (Ibusa to Isu and Nri), to Benin (Agbor, Otolokpo, Aboh), to the Igala (Ebu, which still speaks Igala) and to the Yoruba of Owo and Akure (the Olukumi of Ugbodu and Ukwu Nzu). Illah alone has Igbo, Igala and Benin quarters. Together they fought the British in the Ekumeku war of 1883–1914. Enuani is a dialect of Igbo. Their identity is debated: the Obuzor of Ibusa and Senator Ned Nwoko say the Anioma are Igbo, while the Asagba of Asaba and a 2025 communique of Aniocha and Oshimili leaders say “Anioma is Anioma; Anioma is not Igbo”, a culture area of Bini, Igala, Yoruba and Igbo origins.[1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7]High confidence

Where the Anioma (Enuani) live

Local government areas by state. Homeland: the group is the majority. Shared area: a large share of a mixed area. Smaller presence: present, but a small share.

  • Delta

    • Aniocha North
    • Aniocha South
    • Oshimili North
    • Oshimili South

Areas are approximate and show where people live. They are not claims of land ownership.

Communities beyond the homeland

Asaba (Ahaba)

Oshimili South, Delta State.[9],[10],[11]High confidence

Founded by Nnebisi, son of the Igala prince and trader Onojobo and of Diaba of Agbakoba village in Nteje, east of the Niger. Raised among his mother's people, he crossed the river; where his pot fell he said “Ahabam”, “I have chosen well”. In October 1967 Nigerian troops massacred hundreds of Asaba men and boys during the civil war.[9],[10],[11]

Ibusa (Igbuzo)

Oshimili North, Delta State: Ogboli.[12]High confidence

A federation of two settlements: that of Umejei, a prince of Isu exiled after killing a rival in a wrestling bout, and Ogboli, founded by Edini, who left Nri with his exiled brother Odaigbo. Some historians think followers of Ezechima from Benin also settled here.[12]

Illah

Oshimili North, Delta State: Umutei-Edem, Umutei, Ajaji, Umuagwu.[3],[5]High confidence

Founded by more than one people: its first four quarters by the sons of Illah, whose father came from Agukwu Nri and whose mother was Igala; two more by Igbo settlers; two by Igala princes from Idah; and one by a prince of Benin who came to defend the town. It is governed by the Ogbelani-in-Council, and the eldest man of the Benin quarter is always its Iyase.[3],[5]

Ogwashi-Uku

Aniocha South, Delta State: Ikelike.[9],[13]High confidence

Its original settlers, the Ikelike, came from Benin. In 1909 the town twice drove British troops out during the Ekumeku war.[9],[13]

Issele-Uku

Aniocha North, Delta State.[9],[14]High confidence

Its first settlers came from Nri. Its leader Idabor was among the Ekumeku chiefs who fought the British.[9],[14]

Onicha-Olona and Onicha-Ugbo

Aniocha North, Delta State: Onicha-Olona, Onicha-Ugbo.[15]Medium confidence

Founded by branches of the same Ado N'Idu migration under Eze Chima that founded Onitsha across the Niger.[15]

Olukumi towns: Ugbodu and Ukwu Nzu

Aniocha North, Delta State: Ugbodu, Ukwu Nzu (Eko Efun).[4],[5]High confidence

The Olukumi speak a language related to Yoruba. Ugbodu, “the forest has saved us”, was founded by Yoruba from the Akure kingdom and joined by the Ologun Uja from Owo; its king is the Oloza. Ukwu Nzu, the largest Olukumi town, says its founders came with Orunmiha, sent from Ife, and it became a centre of the Ekumeku resistance.[4]

Language

Enuani (a dialect of Igbo), a language of the Igboid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Igboid). ISO 639-3: ibo.[1]High confidence

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).

  1. Wikipedia contributors. Anioma Region
  2. Emeka Esogbue. (2018). Anioma Evolved from Different Histories of Origin (interview)
  3. Wikipedia contributors. Illah
  4. Wikipedia contributors. Olukumi people
  5. HistoNaija owner. (2026). Local knowledge from the HistoNaija owner: the Anioma are a fusion of Igala, Igbo, Benin and Olukumi peoples, and together they fought the Ekumeku war; Illah was not founded by the Igala alone
  6. (2025). Aniocha, Oshimili leaders reject move to place Anioma State in South East (communique signed by Dr Okey Okonta for Njiko Aniocha-Oshimili). Vanguard
  7. (2025). Anioma faced ethnic cleansing, forced to deny Igbo identity: Ned Nwoko. Vanguard
  8. Wikipedia contributors. Oshimili North
  9. Emeka Esogbue. (2023). The Enuani: Who Are They?
  10. Wikipedia contributors. Asaba
  11. Wikipedia contributors. Asaba massacre
  12. Wikipedia contributors. Igbuzo
  13. This is the story of the Ekumeku Movement. Neusroom (cited elsewhere, not yet checked directly)
  14. Wikipedia contributors. Ekumeku Movement
  15. Wikipedia contributors. Onitsha