Cross River, formerly South-Eastern, state, Nigeria. Cross River state was part of the former Eastern region until May 1967, when it became a South-Eastern state; it received its present name in 1976. In 1987, the southwestern third of Cross River state became a new state called Akwa Ibom.

I will be revealing some interesting facts about Cross River State, The People’s Paradise. Did you know how the Cross River state name was derived, the number of languages spoken in Cross River, Number of local governments in Cross River state. This and many other fascinating facts I will be sharing below. Let’s start

1. Cross River State is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria
2. Originally known as the South-Eastern State before being renamed in 1976, Cross River State formerly included the area that is now Akwa Ibom State, which became a distinct state in 1987.
3. Cross River State was named after the River Cross or the River Oyono
4. Cross River is the nineteenth largest in area and 27th most populous in Nigeria with an estimated population of over 3 million as of 2021.
5. Over 30 different languages are spoken in Cross River including Ejagham, Agwagwune, and Efik
6. Cross River borders to the north by Benue State, to the west by Ebonyi State and Abia State, and to the southwest by Akwa Ibom State while its eastern border forms part of the national border with Cameroon.
7. After independence in 1960, Cross River was a part of the post-independence Eastern Region until 1967 when the region was split and the area became part of the South-Eastern State.
8. Cross River state has saltwater swamps, mangrove forests, oil palms, and dense tropical rain forests.
9. Cross River State consists of eighteen (18) Local Government Areas (Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Bekwarra, Biase, Boki, Calabar Municipal, Calabar South, Ikom, Obanliku, Etung, Obubra, Obudu, Odukpani, Ogoja, Yakurr, and Yala)
10. Festivals in Cross River state include The Cross River State Christmas Festival, The Cross River State Carnival Float, The Yakurr Leboku Yam festival, The Calabar Boat Regata
11. Anong Bahumono Festival which is held in Anong Village, during which different cultural dances are showcased, including Ikpobin (acclaimed to be the most entertaining dance in the state), Ekoi, Obam, Emukei and Eta, Ediba Bahumono Festival which is held in Ediba Village, Bekwarra, Obudu, Obanliku, Igede New yam festival.
12. As of 2018, Cross River State is the only state in Nigeria, in which Governor (Ben Ayade) and Deputy Governor (Ivara Esu) are eggheads (professors). Ayade hails from Obudu while Esu is from Biase.
13. Cross River state supplies a sizable amount of industrial woods for export and domestic markets.
14. The rarest animals and plants in Cross River State can be found in forests located in Boki Local Government Area.
15. Cross River State’s economy partially relies on crops, such as cocoyam, rubber, oil palm, yam, cocoa, cashews, and plantain crops along with fishing.
16. Funny but fact, the Akamkpa Local Government Area of the State has the highest concentration of different species of butterflies in the world.
17. Its chief urban centers in addition to Calabar are the inland towns of Ugep and Ogoja
18. the Calabar-Ikot-Ekepene highway, by way of Oron, provides easy access to the rest of Nigeria. Area 7,782 square miles (20,156 square km). Pop. (2006) 2,888,966.
19. Cross River State is the least densely populated state in Southern Nigeria, with an average population density of roughly 65 people per square kilometer.
20. The Calabar Carnival is the peak of tourism in Cross River, and perhaps the whole of Nigeria. Every December, tourists from all over the world gather for the procession and display of culture and Heritage from Cross River and different parts of Nigeria.
21. Cross River State is the venue for the largest carnival in Africa.
22. Cross River has the joint-thirteenth highest Human Development Index in the country and numerous institutions of tertiary education.
23. Cross River State can be accessed by air through the Margaret Ekpo International Airport at Calabar and the Bebi airstrip at Obanliku; by sea through the Calabar seaport and by road from different parts of the country to other parts of the state
24. Food crops including yams, cassava, rice, and corn (maize) are cultivated in cross river state
25. There are several mineral resources in Cross River State including limestone, tin ore, hard stone, materials, titanium, and ceramic.
26. Obudu Mountain Resort in Cross River State boasts one of the most fascinating tourist centers in Nigeria. an ideal place for relaxation and a great place to visit for your vacation
27. There are Eight Tertiary educational institutions in the State including the University of Calabar, Cross River State University of Technology, College of Health Technology, Calabar, Ibrahim, Babangida College of Agriculture, Obubra, Cross River State College of Education, Federal, College of Education, Obudu, Technical College Ugep, Yakurr, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo
28. All the indigenous languages in the state have common linguistic roots as Niger-Congo languages.
29. Popular people who are from Cross River state include: Eyo Edet Okon (The first indigenous President and third overall National president of The Apostolic Church Nigeria), Goddy Jedy Agba, Ibok Ekwe Ibas, Affiong Williams, John Jea, Bartholomew Ogbeche and many others

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