Amaigbo, also known as 'Amaigbo Igbo ngidi' in Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo state, is an ancient town in Igbo land. Many historians believe it is the cradle of Igbo civilization. There exists the speculation of very ancient settlement from antiquity found among the Orlu and Isu group. Within this zone, Amaigbo stands out with complex sophistication that ushers valid insight into Igbo settlements of old as well as the evolution of the cultural, linguistic, behavioral, and psychological patterns that give the Igbo a distinct outlook. Some historians noted that with population explosion, people from this region spread rapidly and founded other parts of Igboland. Amaigbo has 38 ancient villages, with 42 internal administrative wards for easier management and distribution of democratic dividends. Some of the 36 villages in Amaigbo which spring to mind are as follows:

• Umuokpara
• Umudike
• Umudim
• Umueze
• Eluowere
• Umuode
• Umuokwara
• Umuola
• Umuduruobi
• Ofeuzo
• Obode
• Umuokwaraoha
• Umudurugwonu
• Umudimagwu
• Umuobube
• Umuduruobiaku
• Umuokwaramadu
• Umuba-Umudurule
• Umudurunze
• Umuduruofo
• Umuduruigwe
• Umuduruji
• Umuagwoke
• Ndiuhu
• Umuduruagirisi
• Umuokwaraofor
• Umuanya
• Umuleke
• Umuezealanwoke
• Ezeobolo
• Ezealopi
• Abili-Anyam
• Ofeahia
• Umukabia
• Umuduruoha
• Otunna

The rich cultural heritage of Amaigbo paramount kingdom attracts people from far and near. Many people did not know that the revered Nze na Ozo traditional institution in Igbo land propagated from Amaigbo. The Traditional head of the town is the "Igbo of Amaigbo", presently His Royal Majesty, King Nelson Nwosu, the Igbo of Amaigbo, while the administrative head who doubles as the Prime Minister is the President General (PG) of Amaigbo Town Union, presently Sir Fyne Jonathan Madumere. The Ebu na aṅụ masquerade dance, Ọkọnkọ, Okorosha, and Ekpe are notable annual and biannual festivals in the town. It is important to note that Amaigbo people don't eat "Ọkwa" and see it as a sacred animal because of the role it played in helping Amaigbo win an intense war.

The Europeans arrived in Amaigbo in the late 17th/18th century and traded with the people. The most popular trade then was palm oil and related products. In the process, a notable son of Amaigbo named Mbanaso Ozurumba of Umuduruoha village, Amaigbo, born in 1821, was taken into slavery to the riverine areas of the South-South region of Nigeria. This young, brave slave boy later waxed so great that he discovered Opobo town and later became King Jaja of Opobo. There exists a small museum showing slave chains, pottery, etc. at his father's compound in Amaigbo. Some notable people from Amaigbo who have earned top positions in the history of Nigeria include: King Jaja of Opobo, Dr. Walter Ofonagoro (Former Minister of Information and Culture, and also former DG of Nigeria Television Authority), DIG Declan Uzoma (Retired Deputy Inspector General of Nigerian Police Force), Dick Tiger (Former World Boxing Champion), Dr. Chikwe Ihekwazu (Former Chairman of Nigerian Center for Disease Control), Rt. Hon. Amechi Nwoha (INEC Commissioner for South East Nigeria), and in soccer, Super Eagle stars like Celestine Babayaro and Emmanuel Babayaro, to mention a few.

In the 60s and 70s, Amaigbo had one of the best hospitals in the East of the Niger, Amaigbo Joint Hospital, which now serves as a major training ground for nurses and an intern place for medical practitioners. The town is also the home of Imo State College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo.