The Aros today are classified as Eastern or Cross River Igbos because of their location, mixed origins, culture, and dialect.

Their god, Chukwu Abiama, was a key factor in establishing the Aro Confederacy as a regional power in the Niger Delta and Southeastern Nigeria during the 18th and 19th centuries.

During the Bantu expansion, a group of Proto Ibibio migrated to the area and established the Mbot Abasi Kingdom.

The Proto Ibibio group originally came from Usak Edet (Isanguele), a segment of the Ejagham in present-day Southern Cameroon.

This migration, influence of their god Chukwu Abiama through priests, and their military power supported by alliances with several related neighboring Igbo and eastern Cross River militarized states (particularly Ohafia, Abam, Ihechiowa, Abiriba, Nkporo, Afikpo, Ekoi, etc.)

They influenced neighbors and allies before the British invasion and destruction of the Chukwu Abiama Temple and Aro priesthood.