Uyo is the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It was officially designated as the state capital on September 23, 1987, following the creation of Akwa Ibom State from the former Cross River State.
The city serves as a major urban center with significant population growth. According to the 2006 Nigerian Census, Uyo had a population of 427,873, while its greater urban area, which includes Uruan, was recorded at 554,906. More recent estimates place the population of Uyo at approximately 1,393,000 as of 2024.