Yala is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Okpoma in the east of the area at 6°35′35″N 8°38′01″E.

It has an area of 1,739 km2 and a population of 210,843 at the 2006 census. This makes Yala the second most populated LGA in Cross River State, coming after Akpabuyo.

The postal code is 550.

The dominant tribe in the Area are the Yala. Major settlements in Yala LGA include Okpoma, Okuku, Yahe, Ugaga, Ijegu, Oloko, Imaje, Oke, Echumoga, Woda, Ebo, Igede Edii Nation, Itekpa, Maa, Wonye, Uchu, Osina, Mbuor, Aliforkpa, Echumofana, Wanihem, Wanikade, Wanokom, Ijiraga, Ntrigom etc. Yala is also a language spoken by some inhabitants of Yalaland.

Other major tribes in Yala Local Government Area are, Igede-Edii (Anyadaha, Anyugbe, Eminyi, Ibilla, Igbakobor and Opiriku), Itekpa, Gabu, Ukele and Yache. They speak Igede, Kukelle and Yache language respectively.

The LGA has abundant salt deposit which can sustain any small to medium scale salt industry. There are many salt ponds in Okpoma which are of great history to the people and are mined locally. The LGA also offers a wide range of investment opportunities in agro-based industries as well as solid mineral industries.