Owerri

Understand

The slogan of Owerri is "Eastern Heartland". It is called the "entertainment capital of Nigeria" because of its high density of spacious hotels, high street casinos, production studios and high quality centres of relaxation. It consists of three Local Government Areas including Owerri Municipal, Owerri North and Owerri West. Owerri is a major trade centre for yams, cassava, garri (cassava flakes), corn [maize], and palm products for a region of modified rainforest that also yields rubber for export.

In 2016, it had a population of 1.4 million people, and is approximately 100 km² (40 sq mi) in area. Owerri is bordered by the Otamiri River to the east and the Nworie River to the south. Owerri is home to the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State University, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, and several secondary schools. It is also served by a general hospital and a federal hospital – Federal Medical Center, Owerri. It is bordered by the states of Anambra to the north, Abia (until 1991 part of Imo state) to the east, and Rivers to the south and west.

Climate

Owerri has a temperature of 28.24ºC (82.83ºF) and it is -1.22% lower than Nigeria's averages. It typically receives about 229.07 millimeters (9.02 inches) of precipitation and has 262.95 rainy days (72.04% of the time) annually.

History Owerri was founded in the 14th century by founding father Ekwem Oha. His mother's name was Arugo. He fled from Umuori Village, Uratta in Owerri North, the Local Government Area of Imo State, when his life was threatened by his younger brother Ndum. The British first entered the territory in 1901, when they established a military post in the region. Imo consists of coastal lowlands to the east of the Niger River. Most of the state’s original tropical rain forest vegetation has been replaced by more open areas of oil-palm bush. Owerri is mainly inhabited by the Igbo (Ibo). It is one of the most densely populated cities in Nigeria and Christianity is the predominant religion.

Getting there

The town is at the intersection of major roads from Aba in Abia State, Onitsha in Anambra State, Port Harcourt in Rivers state, and Umuahia in Abia State.

Sam Mbakwe Airport (Imo Airport), Umuohiagu (from Owerre). (updated Dec 2025)

By plane Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (QOW IATA) has passenger flights from Abuja (1 hr, from ₦114,000) and Lagos (1 hr, from ₦114,000) on Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines (as of June 2021). United Nigeria also flies from Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Asaba. Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport is located in Ngor Okpala LGA in Imo State.

1 Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (Imo State Airport), Isuobiangwu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area (follow Okigwe Rd and Wetheral Rd to Aba-Owerri Expy/Douglas Rd/A6, at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Aba-Owerri Expy/Douglas Rd/A6). Daily 7AM–7PM. It receives passenger flights from Lagos and Abuja. (updated Jun 2021)

By bus Many transport companies in Owerri offer daily services from almost all major cities and states around the country as well as international destinations in West Africa like Ghana and Cameroon. The buses are usually comfortable for short and long journeys. You can travel to Owerri from major cities like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin and Kano. Some of the transport companies are Imo Transport Company (ITC) (with air conditioned bus), ABC Transport (with air conditioned luxurious bus rides), Ekene Dili Chukwu, Chisco Transport (CTN), The Young Shall Grow, God Is Good Motors, Peace Mass Transit and Abia Line.

2 Imo Transport Corporation (ITC), Plot 16–28, MCC Uratta Road (from Wethdral road by MMC Junction, enter a carb and drop at Imo State Transport Company), ☏ +234 803 702 7462. Daily 6AM-7PM. Imo State Transport Company is a transportation service center that offers staff bus shuttle, and local tours within and outside Imo State. ₦900-10,000. (updated Jun 2021) 3 GUO Transport company, Egbu Rd (opposite relief market), ☏ +234 700 012 1000. They have luxury and hummer bus. (updated Jul 2024) 4 ABC Transport company, Egbu Rd (opposite government technical college Owerri), ☏ +234 814 255-2432. 24 hr daily. They have luxury, cargo and hummer bus. (updated Jul 2024)

Getting around

The main forms of transportation in the city are buses. Okada (motorcycles) are not allowed to ply in Owerri city, however, there are designated streets in that allows Okada transportation. Most transport enters and leaves the city of Owerri through Egbu Road Motor Park and Control Post Motor Park.

See

1 Owerri Zoo (Nekede Zoo). Sits on 10 hectares of reserved forest and houses a large variety of animals including lions, pythons, gorillas, crocodiles, ostriches and monkeys. (updated Jul 2022) Freedom Square Chief Uwunna Recreational Park 2 Freedom Square (almost opposite IMO International Conference Center). A place where people have fun and relax. (updated Jun 2021) 3 Imo State Council for Arts and Centre, Mbari Street Ikenegbu Layout Ikenegbu Layout. Repository of the culture, history and tradition of Igbo people. It has sculptures and artefacts in it that tell the story of the Igbo culture. Artistic representations of several deities are among their holdings. (updated Jun 2021) 4 National Museum Owerri. Contains artefacts and history of the Igbo people. (updated Jun 2021) 5 Oguta Lake. A beautiful serene environment, though it was not always peaceful and was the last stand of the Nigerian Civil War called the Biafran War, where the Biafrans surrendered. The garden is popular for picnics and pictures. (updated Jun 2021) 6 Chief Uwunna Recreational Park, Imo State University. A cool recreation park inside the Imo University a good place to relax from a busy day and open to all. It has a central location in the university. (updated Jun 2021) 7 Heroes square (Ojukwu's center), New Owerri. A mini-stadium and statues of past leaders. (updated Jul 2024) 8 Dan Anyiam Stadium, Whetheral road Owerri. Daily. Football field, handball field, basketball field and parking space. (updated Jul 2024) 9 Ahiajoku Convention center, New Owerri. Gallery with stainless steel railings and granite and non-slip floors. (updated Jul 2024) 10 Imo State Government house, Library Bus Stop, Okigwe Rd. The Governor's office, The executive council chamber, the Government house chapel and the press briefing room (updated Jul 2024)

Do

Oru Owerri which is also known as Oru Eze (the kings festival) is a festival and cultural carnival celebrated annually Owerri people in remembrance of the creation of Owere (Owerri) by Ekwem Oha. It is celebrated by five traditional villages in Owerri Municipal. The festival is celebrated every year in July and it lasts for one week.The festival kicks off at Ugwu Ekwema (Ekwema's hill) where a community civic centre was built. The festival commences with roasting and eating of special yams. 1 Imo Carnival, 48 Ohaozewa Aldinma Ohaozewa, ☏ +234 812 212-1040. Annually 16–31 December. Outdoor recreational space with tons of people visiting during the carnival. It is a showcase of the rich and beautiful cultural heritage of the people. Participants are attired in different costumes and parade the streets of Owerri with lots of musical, dance and varying entertainment. (updated Jun 2021) 2 IHOP Children Park (Amusement Park), Concorde Avenue New Owerri (opposite the Concorde Hotel). The children’s park has a lot of green areas, a playground, games and activities to play with. There is a bush bar, and restaurant. There’s a restroom for visitors and parking lots could be a bit cumbersome as they are on the other side of the park. This park borders Hero’s Apartment and Ojukwu Park. Nice for family and group activities It is accessible for handicapped people too. Wheelchair users can get through the entrance and move through the walkways easily. Free. (updated Jun 2021) 3 Peace Island Recreational Area, Fish Island No 4 Orlu Street Extension. A recreation centre where you can bask in nature. (updated Jun 2021) 4 Dream World Amusement Park (from Akachi Junction, take a right turn for a 5–10 minutes' drive and there it is at the left hand side), ☏ +234 903 372-9237. 10AM–8PM. It has lots of games for different age groups, from kid friendly ones to ones for teenagers and adults, in a serene environment. There is a spinning ride that is very terrifying. They also sell food and soft drinks inside. It is a kid-friendly place. The membership card is ₦1000. Prices for games ranges from ₦1000-4000. (updated Jun 2024)

Buy

1 Shoprite Owerri, Egbu Road. It is a really large mall, and you are spoilt with a choice variety of shops. There is also an array of unlimited restaurants. It is a nice place to shop as you have a choice of things you can buy, all under one roof. (updated Jun 2021) 2 Gemezu Farm (Gemezu Fish Farm Empire), Akwakuma Road (from Warehouse, enter bus headed to Irete and stop at Kings Park Hote, take a right tuirn, and walk a five pole and stop 5th building). 7AM–5PM. Figerlings, snails, rabbits, goats, etc. ₦2,200/kg. (updated Jul 2024) 3 Ekezie's farm, Amaeze (by car, take the Owerri-Aba Road approximately 20 km east and follow the signs), ☏ +234 803 374-9375. M–F 6AM–8PM, Sa 6AM–7PM, Su 6PM–7PM. 1–2 kg: ₦2000-5000. (updated Jul 2024)

Markets There are two main urban markets in Owerri namely: Ekeukwu Owerri Market and Relief Market. These markets operates daily from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, shops in the market are usually locked, then traders stay by the road side and sell their goods. Most goods in Owerri are sold in open markets or by street hawkers. A significant number of street hawkers are children and youth. Relief Market is a major market for the sale of garri, baskets of tomatoes, bags of onions, etc. It is patronized by merchants from stats such as Aba, Umuahia, Enugu and Onitsha. Non-food goods are also sold in Relief market while Ekeukwu Owerri market clothing, household wares, beauty products are sold there and also food items.

4 Nworie lane industrial market, Douglas road (beside St Paul's Catholic Church). 7AM–7PM daily. Sewing machines, fabrics and foods. (updated Jul 2024) 5 Market Square, Orlu Rd (opposite Vanessa hotel along orlu road), ☏ +234 706 424-5663. 8AM–8PM. They sell cosmetics, house hold items, beverages, snacks and food (updated Jul 2024) 6 Eke Orogwe Market, Along Owerri, Onitsha road (beside St. Mark's Anglican Church orogwe). Daily. Vegetables, fish, meat, garri, clothes and other household items. (updated Jul 2024) 7 Priceless Supermarket, Orji. 8AM–9PM daily. Drinks, snacks, fruits, cosmetics and other household items. (updated Jul 2024) 8 Irete market, New Owerri, Ndegwu, ☏ +234 906 311-4553. Daily. Food stuff, palm wine, clothes, etc. (updated Jul 2024) 9 World bank market, At idle suite junction (After idle suit roundabout). 7AM–7:30PM. An agriculture farm produce market (updated Jul 2024) 10 Orji market (Nkwo orji), Off Okigwe Road (from Owerri, take Okigwe Road.). 7:30AM–7PM. An agriculture produce market (updated Jul 2024) 11 Eke megbuoha, Megbuoha area (Head south on Okigwe Road towards Owerri city.). 7am

Eat

There are numerous restaurants and fast foods where you can eat local and delicious cuisines. Most of them offer dine-in, takeaway and delivery.

Jevinik Restaurant, 19 Umez Eronini Street, Ikenegbu Layout, ☏ +234 701 586-3657, +234 803 675-4733, [email protected]. 9AM–10:30PM. Jevinik Restaurant provides its customers with a wide range of food delicacies on soup, stew, small chops, African and intercontinental cuisines. (updated Jul 2024) 1 Kilimanjaro Fast Food and Restaurants, 32 Ekwema Crescent, Ikenegbu Layout, Shirley Supremo Shopping Mall & Orlu Rd (head southeast toward Sam MbaKwe Ave, turn right at Focal Eagles Ltd. onto Sam MbaKwe Ave., at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on Sam MbaKwe Ave, at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Assumpta Ave/Okigwe Rd/Onitsha - Owerri Expy/A6 and at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Orlu Rd/Owerri - Orlu Rd), ☏ +234 700 5454-3663, +234 807 509-1484, +234 807 899-0790, [email protected]. 8AM–8PM daily. A Sundry Foods’ brand. It offers meals such as plantain porridge and beef kebab, yam fritters and breaded fish. (updated Jul 2024) 2 Joseph Spot, 120 Ike egbu (from control post, take a bus headed to W Road; stop at Cherubim junction and take a left), ☏ +234 810 4334-4994. M–Sa 8:30AM–8PM, Su noon–9PM. Chicken, jollof rice, noodles, spicy cow feet, nkwobi, ugba. ₦4,000-6,000. (updated Jul 2024) 3 Ginza Fastfood (Ginza), Area N, World Bank (enter Worldbank vehicle, stop at market). ₦2500. (updated Jul 2024) 4 Olive Restaurant, 31O Kigwe Road (at Okie Street), ☏ +234 8030 891 855. 7AM–8PM. ₦2500. (updated Jul 2024) 5 Feedwell Restaurant ikenegbu, Ikenegbu layout, 13 Oduobi Cres, behind Destiny Supermarket, ☏ +234 913 525-0338. M–Sa noon–7PM. Mainly swallow foods ranging from ₦1,000-5,000. 6 Resident Kitchen & Bar, ☏ +234 816 540-9645. Daily 24 hr. Resident kitchen and bar. Local foods. Bush meats. Palm wine. Okpa and zobo flex. Grill. Continental dishes. Outdoor and indoor service. (updated Jul 2024) 7 Tochil Eatery, Road 2 Junction, world bank housing estate, Umuguma Road. M–Sa 9AM–11PM, Su 11AM–11PM. Price for one person ₦2,000-6,000. (updated Jul 2024) 8 Black30 Restaurant (Rice Restaurant), 14 Nkwerre Street, works layout, ☏ +234 916 559-0992. Price per plate ₦2,000-12,000. (updated Jul 2024) 9 Amala Spot, 11 Oduobi Cres, Ikenegbu Layout, ☏ +234 806 459-4550. M–Sa 9AM–9PM. Mainly Amala foods. (updated Jul 2024) 10 Owerri Bole Foods, Trinity plaza, Plot 366 Ikenegbu Rd, ☏ +234 915 763-2235. Daily 9AM–6PM. (updated Jul 2024) 11 Nutri Grubs, 25 Umez Eronini St,, ☏ +234 903 141-4142. M

Drink & nightlife

Owerri has a number of spots where visitors and tourists can drink and sample a taste of the city’s amazing local dishes like nkobi and ugba. Such spots include:

1 Old English Bar and Grill, Item, Ikenegbu Rd, ☏ +234 803 935 2371. 24 hr. It is quiet, clean with prompt service, well trained and knowledgeable staff. A good menu with a varied selection of dishes. Rumoured to have great sea food rice. Good nightlife and cool music, they also have a wall gallery. Reservations are required. Masks and temperature checks are required as well. Surfaces are disinfected between each customer. Service options are Delivery, takeaway, and dine-in. (updated Jun 2021) Singapore Bar & Grills, Freedom Road (by the 2nd Inland road junction). (updated Jun 2021) 2 Mimi's Place, Plot 5046, Beside All Seasons Hotel, Southern Centre Tangent Arterial Highway, New Owerri. 24 hours. A bar and lounge. ₦3,500 - 4,500. (updated Jun 2024) 3 Madam B restaurant and bar (New Owerri, Orogwe; opposite Secondary School), ☏ +234 810 465 7899. 8AM–8PM daily. Beer, spirit, wine and meat. (updated Jul 2024)

Sleep

1 Vanessa Paris hotel, 21 Orlu Rd, amakohia (opposite market square), ☏ +234 803 985-2473. Swimming pool, bar, foods and drinks. (updated Jul 2024) 2 Rento hotel and suites, Plot F/27 Housing Area B, New Owerri (opposite everyday supermarket), ☏ +234 809 440-0115. Check-in: 2PM. Swimming pool,bar and car park (updated Jul 2024) 3 Forever hotel and suites (New Owerri), ☏ +234 903 631 6988. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: noon. Foods, drinks restaurant and car park (updated Jul 2024) 4 Toprate luxury hotels, Port Harcourt Rd, New Owerri, ☏ +234 806 566 5353. Check-in: 8AM, check-out: 6PM. Foods and drinks, etc. (updated Jul 2024)

Budget Newton Hotel Limited, Plot H2 Imo Specialist Hospital Rd, Imo, New Owerri. (updated Jun 2021) Titanic View Hotel & Suites, Ltd., Sam Mbakwe Ave (next to World Bank Estate). 5 De Glen Hotel and Suit, Industrial cluster, Poly road, Naze, ☏ +234 808 888 2553. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Swimming pool,bar, foods and drinks etc.

Mid-range 6 De Majestic Gardens, ☏ +234 803 754 2524. An accessible location offering free breakfast with a serene environment and friendly staff. ₦27,065. (updated Jun 2021) 7 Riv Island Hotels Limited, 155 Royce Road, Owerri Municipal. 6AM-10PM. A 2-star hotel. ₦10,000 - 15,000. (updated Jun 2024) Pinewood Hotel, 1 to 6 Umezuike Close, Orlu Road. Check-in: 10AM, check-out: noon. Standard accommodation and restaurant offering local and continental dishes. A 3-star hotel with decent lodging, and they offer free parking and breakfast. ₦5000-25,000. (updated May 2022) 8 All seasons hotel, All Seasons Avenue, Commercial District G, ☏ +234 803 732 7667. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Car park, swimming pool,free Wi-Fi, foods and drinks. (updated Jul 2024) 9 Great Wood Hotel, Plot 12, Commercial District G PortHacourt Owerri Road New Owerri, ☏ +234 703 175 9486. Check-in: 2pm, check-out: 12am. Food, drinks, swimming pool car park etc (updated Jul 2024)

Splurge 10 Protea Hotel by Marriot, Plot H/1 Nekede Layout Protea Road 460132, ☏ +234 8139833310. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. A 3-star hotel, and part of an international brand. Clean rooms, a serene atmosphere, and well-trained staff. It has a fitness centre, accommodates free parking, a swimming pool is available and great dining. Free Wifi. ₦48,942. (updated Jun 2021) 11 Famous Suites, ☏ +234 909 205 0222. A 3-star hotel that has decent lodging, and a cool ambience. It has a swimming pool and the environment is clean. (updated Jun 2021) 12 Imo Concorde Hotel, Concorde Avenue, ☏ +234 803300618. It is a 4-star hotel lodging and pretty decent

Go next

From Owerri you can go to some other cities and states in Nigeria like:

Okigwe Orlu Enugu Anambra Abia Rivers