Ugba is the local name for African oil bean seed among the Igbos a tribe in Nigeria. Different tribes in Nigeria have different names for this plant. The Igbos also call it ukpaka, the Yorubas call it Apara while the Efik tribe call it Ukana. The most widely used part of the African oil bean tree is the seeds, which serves as a traditional food condiment generally produced by natural (local) fermentation. It is an important and cheap source of protein for people whose staple foods are deficient in proteins. African oil bean seeds are an excellent source of energy, protein, amino acids, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, vitamins, calcium, manganese and copper and it is also eaten as a delicacy and used as flavouring for soup. Ugba is a rich source of saponins that have been proven effective for reducing plasma cholesterol. It possesses alkaloids with antibacterial properties against certain infectious bacteria. Increased intake of Ugba also increases haemoglobin value. It increases oxygenation of tissue to enhance specific hormones that stimulate the production of red blood cells important in proper cardiac function.