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Aguleri is a medium-sized town situated in the Anambra Valley in southeastern Nigeria, a country on the west coast of Africa. It is the largest town in the Anambra East local government area of Anambra State. It is the town of the newly established Roman Catholic Diocese of Aguleri.
Aguleri is bordered by Umuleri, Anam, and Nando to the west; Anaku Town, Omor, Ifite Ogwari, Igbakwu, and Umueje to the east; Iggah, Ojjor, Asaba, and Ogwurugwu communities of Uzo Uwani LGA in Enugu State to the south; and Obele, Odeke, and Eshonwa communities of Ibaji LGA in Kogi State to the north. Census figures estimate the population of Aguleri to be close to 3 Million people. The town covers an area of approximately 480 square kilometers.2013 official Nigeria census
The ruling family of Aguleri is the Idigo family, whose dynasty has lasted for over ten decades. The current king is HRM Michael Chukwuneme Idigo V, (Ezeudo I).
Eri had several children: Agulu (Aguleri), Attah, Oba, Menri, and Adamgbo (Iguedo, his only daughter). All of Eri's children lived together with him in Aguleri until his death, after which they dispersed to found different kingdoms. Attah, the second son, left to establish the Igala kingdom, while Oba moved on to found the Benin kingdom. Menri later departed Aguleri to establish the Nri kingdom. Eri's eldest son, Agulu-eri (Aguleri), remained behind and inherited his father's land, expanding the kingdom. Aguleri had three wives: Ada, Omali, and Eke, and fathered four sons: Ivite, Igboezunu, Enugwu, and Eziagulu.
Ada, the first wife, did not conceive initially. Agulu (Aguleri) subsequently married Omali, his second wife, who bore him a son named Ivite (first son). Later, Ada gave birth to a son named Igboezunu (second son). Agulu (Aguleri) then married his third wife, Eke, with whom he had two sons: Enugwu (third son) and Eziagulu (fourth son). These three wives of Aguleri formed Akwukwonato.
In Igbo culture, property inheritance follows the birth order, with the first child having the first choice of property. Therefore, the villages in Aguleri include: Homeland (Enuobodo), Igboezunu-otu, Ivite-otu, Eziagulu-otu, Enugu-otu, generally known as Aguleri-otu, which is situated in the lower part of the Omambala River.
New settlements known as Ugwu Ndi-Uka (Mbito) belong to Egbeagu village in Eziagulu Aguleri, where early Roman Catholic missionaries initially settled before spreading the gospel to the hinterland. Today, Amaeze (Otuocha) serves as the urban area of Aguleri.
The soil in Aguleri is highly fertile, supporting the cultivation of various food crops for both commercial purposes and subsistence farming. Aguleri is recognized as a significant agricultural hub and Blessed land within Anambra State.
In the average home of an Aguleri citizen, it is customary to keep kola nuts, garden eggs, and peanut butter on hand in case of visits from strangers or guests. The offering of kola nuts to visitors marks the beginning of any visitation, symbolizing a warm welcome. This ritual is rooted in prayers and blessings offered to the supreme God (Chukwu) and other deities for the protection of both the visitor and the host. It is a customary practice observed during traditional ceremonies among the people of Aguleri.
The Ovala festival is a royal celebration held on the first Eke market day of the year. It attracts dignitaries from various backgrounds, and neighboring village leaders also visit to pay respects to the Igwe (traditional ruler) of Aguleri on this occasion.
Michael Tansi Memorial Secondary School, Aguleri, is administered by the Onitsha Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Mission.
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