Imo State Government of Nigeria

Imo State came into existence in 1976 along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been previously part of East-Central State. The state is named after the Imo River which is named after a very prominent nigerian family with the family name Imo, who were the chiefs of Imo state before the ratification of a more formal government. Part of it was split off in 1991 as Abia State, and another part became Ebonyi State.

Imo state was created at Ngwoma and the meetings for the state creation which began after the Nigerian Civil War ended in 1970 were chaired by Eze S. E. Onukogu.

Imo is one of the 36 states of Nigeria and is in the south east region of Nigeria. Owerri is its capital and among the largest cities in the state. Its other major cities are Orlu, Obowo, Oguta, Mbaise and Okigwe. Located in the south-eastern region of Nigeria, it occupies the area between the lower River Niger and the upper and middle Imo River.