Owerri

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Capital city of Imo State, Nigeria

title: "Owerri" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["owerri", "state-capitals-in-nigeria", "cities-in-imo-state", "towns-in-igboland"] description: "Capital city of Imo State, Nigeria" topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owerri" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Capital city of Imo State, Nigeria ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameOwerri
native_name
image_skylineCITY_SCAPE,_OWERRI.jpg
image_captionA road in Owerri
nicknameAla owerri
mottoEastern Heartland
mapsize170px
pushpin_mapNigeria
pushpin_label_positionbottom
pushpin_map_altOwerri indicated in a map of Nigeria
pushpin_map_captionOwerri in Nigeria
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameNigeria
subdivision_type1State
subdivision_name1Imo
subdivision_type2LGA
subdivision_name2Owerri Municipal, Owerri North, Owerri West. Owerri capital territory consist of 4 local governments; Owerri Municipal, Owerri North, Owerri West and Part of Mbaitoli
government_footnotes
government_typeExecutive Chairman-Council
leader_titleGoverning body
leader_nameLocal Government Council
leader_title1Party
leader_name1APC
leader_title2Chairman
leader_name2Emma Odor (Owerri Municipal); Henry Njoku (Owerri North); Henry Onwukwe (Apiti) (Owerri West)
population_footnotes
population_total1,401,873
population_as_of2016
population_density_sq_miauto
population_noteDisputed estimate
demographics_type1GDP (PPP, 2015 int. Dollar)
demographics1_title1Year
demographics1_info12023
demographics1_title2Total
demographics1_info2$12.6 billion
demographics1_title3Per capita
demographics1_info3$12,800
timezone1WAT
utc_offset1+1
postal_code_typePostcode
postal_code460...
area_code083
blank_nameClimate
blank_infoAm
website
blank_name_sec1National language
blank_info_sec1Igbo
::

| name = Owerri | official_name = | native_name =
| settlement_type = | image_skyline = CITY_SCAPE,_OWERRI.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = A road in Owerri | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | nickname = Ala owerri | motto = Eastern Heartland | image_map = | mapsize = 170px | map_alt = | map_caption = | map_caption1 = | pushpin_map = Nigeria | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_map_alt = Owerri indicated in a map of Nigeria | pushpin_map_caption = Owerri in Nigeria | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Nigeria | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Imo | subdivision_type2 = LGA | subdivision_name2 = Owerri Municipal, Owerri North, Owerri West. Owerri capital territory consist of 4 local governments; Owerri Municipal, Owerri North, Owerri West and Part of Mbaitoli | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | seat_type = | seat = | government_footnotes = | government_type = Executive Chairman-Council | leader_title = Governing body | leader_name = Local Government Council | leader_title1 = Party | leader_name1 = APC | leader_title2 = Chairman | leader_name2 = Emma Odor (Owerri Municipal); Henry Njoku (Owerri North); Henry Onwukwe (Apiti) (Owerri West) | unit_pref = | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = | area_metro_km2 = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 1,401,873 | population_as_of = 2016 | population_density_sq_mi = auto | population_urban = | population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | population_note = Disputed estimate | population_blank1_title = | population_blank1 = | population_blank2_title = | population_blank2 = | demographics_type1 = GDP (PPP, 2015 int. Dollar) | demographics1_footnotes = | demographics1_title1 = Year | demographics1_info1 = 2023 | demographics1_title2 = Total | demographics1_info2 = $12.6 billion | demographics1_title3 = Per capita | demographics1_info3 = $12,800 | timezone1 = WAT | utc_offset1 = +1 | postal_code_type = Postcode | postal_code = 460... | area_code = 083 | blank_name = Climate | blank_info = Am | website = | footnotes = |blank_name_sec1= National language |blank_info_sec1= Igbo Owerri ( , ) is the capital city of Imo State in Nigeria, set in the heart of Igboland. It is also the state's largest city, followed by Orlu, Okigwe and Ohaji/Egbema. Owerri consists of three Local Government Areas namely Owerri Municipal, Owerri North and Owerri West. It has an estimated population of 1,401,873 as of 2016 and is approximately 212.743 sqmi in area combining the 3 local government making up Owerri. Owerri is bordered by the Otamiri River to the east and the Nworie River to the south.{{cite web |url = http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Water+quality+studies+of+Nworie+River+in+Owerri,+Nigeria.-a0199604520 |title = Water quality studies of Nworie River in Owerri, Nigeria |author = Alex D.W. Acholonu |publisher = Mississippi Academy of Sciences |year = 2008 |access-date = 2009-10-14}} The Owerri Slogan is Heartland. It is also called the Las Vegas of Africa, due to the night life of the city and the numerous hotels, casino and leisure parks all over the city.

History

Owerri was founded by in the 14 century CE by Ekwem Oha.

Before becoming the capital of present-day Imo State, Owerri was the last of three capitals of the disputed Republic of Biafra in 1969. The capital of the secessionist state was continuously being moved as Nigerian troops captured the older capitals. Enugu and Umuahia were the other capitals before Owerri. Present-day Owerri does contain some statuary memorializing the war, particularly in locations which suffered heavy bombing, but most war artifacts and history are maintained in a museum at Umuahia, Abia State.

Transport and trade

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Roundabout_Owerri.jpg" caption="A roundabout in Owerri"] ::

Owerri has an airport 14 mi southeast of the city, called the Imo Airport, located in Obiangwu, Ngor Okpala LGA. The Airport (Sam Mbakwe Airport) provides flight services to Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Enugu. Right now, it serves as an alternate for Port Harcourt. Sam Mbakwe (Imo) International Cargo Airport is now an International Cargo Airport. Some major roads that go through the city are Port Harcourt Rd., Aba Rd., Onitsha Rd., and Okigwe Rd. Roads within the city include Douglas Rd., Weatheral Rd., Tetlow Rd., and Works Rd. Relief market is the main market in Owerri after the demolition of Eke Ukwu Owere.

Owerri sits in the rain forest and produces many agricultural products, such as yams, cassava, taro, corn, rubber and palm products. Owerri also sits on huge crude oil and natural gas reserves like most of the Igbo land areas.

|Centre = Owerri |North = Obazu |Northeast = Ubomiri |East = Egbu, Ihitta |Southeast = Awaka, Emii, AgbalaUlakwo and Ngor Okpala LGA |South = Nekede, Ihiagwa |Southwest = Obinze |West = Okuku, Umuguma |Northwest = Orji}}

Climate

Owerri has a tropical wet climate according to the Köppen-Geiger system. Rain falls for most months of the year with a brief dry season. The Harmattan affects the city in the early periods of the dry season and it is noticeably less pronounced than in other cities in Nigeria. The average temperature is 26.4 °C.

| width = auto | metric first = yes | single line = yes | location = Owerri (1991–2020) | Jan record high C = 37.9 | Feb record high C = 40 | Mar record high C = 39 | Apr record high C = 38.5 | May record high C = 36 | Jun record high C = 35 | Jul record high C = 33.6 | Aug record high C = 34 | Sep record high C = 34 | Oct record high C = 37 | Nov record high C = 37 | Dec record high C = 37 | year record high C = 40.0

| Jan high C = 33.8 | Feb high C = 34.9 | Mar high C = 34.2 | Apr high C = 33.3 | May high C = 32.3 | Jun high C = 30.8 | Jul high C = 29.4 | Aug high C = 29.2 | Sep high C = 30.1 | Oct high C = 31.2 | Nov high C = 32.8 | Dec high C = 33.7 | year high C = 32.1

| Jan mean C = 27.9 | Feb mean C = 29.2 | Mar mean C = 29.1 | Apr mean C = 28.6 | May mean C = 27.8 | Jun mean C = 26.9 | Jul mean C = 26.1 | Aug mean C = 26.0 | Sep mean C = 26.5 | Oct mean C = 27.1 | Nov mean C = 28.2 | Dec mean C = 27.9 | year mean C = 27.6

| Jan low C = 21.9 | Feb low C = 23.6 | Mar low C = 24.1 | Apr low C = 23.9 | May low C = 23.4 | Jun low C = 23.1 | Jul low C = 22.8 | Aug low C = 22.7 | Sep low C = 22.8 | Oct low C = 23.0 | Nov low C = 23.5 | Dec low C = 22.1 | year low C = 23.1

| Jan record low C = 5 | Feb record low C = 13 | Mar record low C = 15.6 | Apr record low C = 19.6 | May record low C = 19 | Jun record low C = 17.2 | Jul record low C = 17 | Aug record low C = 15 | Sep record low C = 17.4 | Oct record low C = 19.5 | Nov record low C = 17 | Dec record low C = 10.5 | year record low C = 5.0

| precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 18.2 | Feb precipitation mm = 44.0 | Mar precipitation mm = 98.7 | Apr precipitation mm = 171.3 | May precipitation mm = 273.2 | Jun precipitation mm = 314.1 | Jul precipitation mm = 361.5 | Aug precipitation mm = 341.1 | Sep precipitation mm = 380.7 | Oct precipitation mm = 256.4 | Nov precipitation mm = 58.5 | Dec precipitation mm = 10.4 | year precipitation mm = 2328.2

| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm | Jan precipitation days = 1.2 | Feb precipitation days = 2.7 | Mar precipitation days = 6.0 | Apr precipitation days = 9.7 | May precipitation days = 14.1 | Jun precipitation days = 15.5 | Jul precipitation days = 20.1 | Aug precipitation days = 19.8 | Sep precipitation days = 20.0 | Oct precipitation days = 16.0 | Nov precipitation days = 4.5 | Dec precipitation days = 0.7 | year precipitation days = 130.3

| Jan humidity = 75.1 | Feb humidity = 79.2 | Mar humidity = 85.6 | Apr humidity = 87.7 | May humidity = 88.9 | Jun humidity = 90.2 | Jul humidity = 90.4 | Aug humidity = 89.9 | Sep humidity = 90.8 | Oct humidity = 90.2 | Nov humidity = 86.4 | Dec humidity = 78.0 | year humidity = 86.0

| source = NOAA{{cite web |url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Nigeria/CSV/Owerri_65252.csv |title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Owerri |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = January 7, 2024}}

Education

Universities/tertiary institutions

Secondary/high schools

Food

One major food that is particular to the Owerri people is known as ofe owerri (ofe means soup, while Owerri is the capital of Imo state). It is sometimes referred to as the king of soup and in some Igbo communities, beautiful women are sometimes likened to Ofe Owerri. Ingredients for the soup, include snails, ig (cow skin), goat meat, okporoko (dried hake fish), dried fish, oporo (smoked prawns), grounded dried crayfish, wraps of ogili (fermented soya beans), fresh pepper, grounded dried pepper, grounded uziza seeds (Ashanti pepper), cocoyam, palm oil, sliced ugu leaves (pumpkin leaves), sliced oha leaves, sliced uziza leaves, stock cubes, achi powder and salt.

Sports

Owerri has a major Nigerian football club: Heartland F.C. It was known previously as Iwuanyawu Nationale, but the team retained its nickname: The Naze Millionaires. Popular super Eagle players hails from owerri, people like Emmanuel Emenike, Kelechi Iheanacho who played for major English clubs like Manchester City F.C. and Leicester City F.C., Former Inter Milan, Arsenal, Portsmouth F.C. striker and Nigeria national football team player Nwankwo Kanu was born and raised in Owerri. He attended Holy Ghost College, a renowned local secondary school in the Owerri town.

Religion

Christianity is the dominant religion in Owerri. Catholics and Anglicans have the largest followings and Owerri is home to Assumpta Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri (Latin: Archidioecesis Overriensis) and the Seat of Wisdom Seminary. The archdiocese covers an area of 2,996 square kilometres. 670,986 of the 1.7 million people in the area are members of the Catholic Church. The Anglican cathedral church of the transfiguration of our lord (CATOL) is the Anglican Cathedral for the Anglican faithfuls in the Anglican Diocese Of Owerri. There are about 700,670 members of the Anglican Church in the Owerri metropolis. All Saints Cathedral, Egbu, Owerri is the first and Largest Anglican Church in Owerri and the home of first Igbo translated Bible.

Notable people

Gallery

File:Freedom Square Owerri Imo State.jpg|Freedom Square Owerri, Imo State File:Freedom Square Owerri.jpg|Freedom Square Owerri File:Statues in Hero's Square Owerri Imo State.jpg|Statues in Heroes Square Owerri, Imo state File:Freedom park Owerri.jpg|Freedom Park Owerri File:Statue of a freed slave in Owerri.jpg|Statue of a freed slave File:Akachi Monument, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria.jpg|Akachi Monument, Owerri, Imo state File:Assumpta Cathedral Owerri.jpg|Assumpta Cathedral Owerri File:Otamiri River (3) in Egbu, Owerri.jpg|Otamiri River in Egbu, Owerri

References

References

  1. "Imo State Local Government Areas - Sole Administrators". Imo State Government.
  2. Summing the 3 LGAs making up Owerri.
  3. "TelluBase—Nigeria Fact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series)". Tellusant.
  4. "Nipost Postcode Map". Nigerian Postal Service.
  5. "Owerri". [[Microsoft]].
  6. (2002). "Harmonization and standardization of Nigerian languages". CASAS.
  7. (2007-04-07). "Encyclopædia Britannica".
  8. (18 May 2017). "History of Owerri and its Origin".
  9. "Owerri by Imo State - OnlineNigeria.com".
  10. (18 February 2017). "Ofe Owerri". tribuneonlineng.com.
  11. "HGCO e-Portal".
  12. "VILLAFFEST set to light up Owerri". [[Guardian Nigeria]].
  13. "Dallas-based film maker, Kelechi Eke brings VILLAFFEST to Owerri". [[Vanguard Nigeria]].

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

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