ABAKALIKI

town, Enugu state, southeastern Nigeria. It lies at the intersection of roads from Enugu, Afikpo, and Ogoja. An agricultural trade centre (yams, cassava, rice, and palm oil and kernels) for the Igbo (Ibo) people, the town is located in an area known for its lead, zinc, and limestone deposits. Although lead has been mined since precolonial times, the deposits are worked only when the world market price is high. Limestone is quarried for a cement plant at Nkalagu, 22 miles (35 km) west-northwest. Abakaliki's government farm promotes egg and poultry production. Pop. (1991 est.) 62,770.