Enugu, city, southeastern Nigeria, capital of Enugu State, near Onitsha. Lying at the southeastern foot of the Udi Hills, Enugu is a major coal-mining and trading center. Manufactures include steel, tile, pottery, asbestos, cement, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, and machinery. Enugu is the site of the Institute of Management and Technology (1973). The present city was founded in 1909 after coal deposits were discovered near the Igbo town of Enugu Ngwo. Enugu became an administrative center after the railroad to Port Harcourt was completed in 1912. It was a capital of the secessionist state of Biafra (1967-70). Population (1995 estimate) 308,200.
