The Eastern Region was an administrative region in Nigeria, formed in 1954 from the division of the Colony of Southern Nigeria.
- First capital: Calabar
- Later capitals: Enugu (second capital), Umuahia (third capital)
- Dissolution: 1967, divided into:
- East-Central State (capital: Enugu)
- Rivers State
- South-Eastern State
- Major ethnic groups: Igbo, Ibibio, Ijaw
- The region later became Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970).
Geography
- Location: Southeastern Nigeria
- Borders:
- West: River Niger & Northern Region of Nigeria
- East: Cameroon
- South: Gulf of Guinea
- Area: ~76,000 km² (29,400 sq mi)
- Population (1965): ~12 million
- Densely populated areas: Owerri, Annang settlements
- Environmental issues: Soil erosion in Awka area
Vegetation
- Coastal Mangrove swamps in the south
- Tropical rainforest (many cleared for palm plantations)
- Guinea savannah in the north
Major Rivers
- Qua Iboe
- Cross River
- Orashi River
- Imo River
Highlands
- Obudu Plateau
- Oban Hills
- Ikom Hills
History
Colonial Rule
- 1849: John Beecroft (Governor of Fernando Po) appointed British Consul for Bights of Benin & Biafra.
- 1884–1890: Headquarters moved to Calabar; establishment of the Oil Rivers Protectorate.
- 1914: Formation of Southern Nigeria Protectorate under British rule.
- 1939: Southern Province divided into Western and Eastern Provinces.
Pre-Colonial & Missionary Influence
- British strengthened traditional village heads for indirect rule.
- Christian missions established:
- 1846: Church of Scotland Mission (Hope Waddell) in Calabar
- CMS (Ajayi Crowther) in Onitsha
- Catholic missions
Culture
- Major cities pre-WWII: Calabar, Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Onitsha, Aba, Port Harcourt, Enugu.
- Majority lived in villages; urban migration was seasonal.
- Social structure: Titles, wealth, seniority.
- Masked societies: Efik & Ibibio used for regulation, festivals, and debt enforcement.
- Sports: Football (April–Nov.), athletics; Emmanuel Ifeajuna won high jump gold at 1954 Empire Games.
Demographics
- Largest group: Igbo (democratic, individualistic society).
- Other groups: Ibibio, Efik, Ijaw, Annang, Yakurr, Bahumono, Oron, Ogoni, Ekoi.
- Trade control: Efik dominated Cross River ports; Ijaw had strong chieftaincy traditions.
Economy
- Palm produce: Main export; £54 million income in 1954.
- Other crops: yam, cocoa, rubber, rice, cashew, coconut.
- Industry:
- Coal mining (Enugu)
- Nigersteel rolling mill
- Cement (Nkalagu)
- Breweries (Aba)
- Tobacco & glass (Port Harcourt)
- Oil: Began commercial production in 1957; promising by 1965.
Statutory Corporations
- Eastern Nigeria Marketing Board (1954): Managed cash crops and grading.
- Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation: Developed palm oil, cocoa, rubber, cashew, coconut.
Transportation
- Roads: 13,000 km cleared by 1955 (10% tarred); lorries common.
- Waterways: Barges & craft in swampy south.
- Railway: Enugu → Umuahia → Aba → Port Harcourt (completed 1919; extended to Kaduna 1926).
- Ports: Port Harcourt (2nd largest in Nigeria), Calabar.
Government & Politics
- System: Parliamentary, with Premier & bicameral legislature.
- Local government: Modeled on British borough/district councils.
Timeline
- 1948: Eastern Regional Assembly established (advisory powers).
- 1951: McPherson Constitution gave legislative powers; 80 elected African members.
- 1953: NCNC victory under Nnamdi Azikiwe.
- Pre-1950s: Warrant chiefs → Native Authority → borough councils.
Education
- Primary schools (1956): ~6,000
- Secondary schools (1956): 54 (mainly mission-run)
- Higher education: University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Agricultural Research Centre (Umudike).
- Policy: Universal primary education; one-third of budget to education.
Notable Cities and Towns
- Enugu
- Umuahia
- Aba
- Onitsha
- Calabar
- Port Harcourt
- Uyo
- Ikot Ekpene
Notable People
- Paul Ururuka (1910–1970): Former Minister of Works & Minister of Commerce