Warri

Understand

Warri is a notable city in Delta State with an estimated population of 2 million people (2016). It is bordered by other communities within the state, such as Ughelli, Sapele, Okpe, Udu and Uvwie. Warri is one of the oil epicentres of the country. Warri was the administrative capital of Delta Province during the colonial times. Now it has an extension Delta State Government House. Warri City is a residence to four monarchs, namely the Olu of Warri (Itsekiri), Ovie of the Okere-Warri Kingdom (Urhobo), the Ovie of Agbarha-Ame Warri Kingdom (Urhobo) and the Pere of Ogbeijaw (Ijaw). It was founded by Prince Ginuwa from Benin 60 miles (97 kilometres) north in the late 15th century. With time, the city grew to become the political and trading capital of the Itsekiri kingdom of Warri also known as Ouwerre. From the 15th to the 17th century, the obis, that is, kings, had considerable contact with the Portuguese, and several converted to Roman Catholicism. They later became quite active in the slave trade at that time. In 1884, the kingdom declined and its territory came under British protection in 1884. Nonetheless, Warri switched to the export of palm oil and kernels in the mid-19th century. For a long time, Warri has been the market centre for local produce and has also served as a port in the state. The town has also assumed new economic importance with the discovery of natural gas and petroleum in the area. With the establishment of a Petroleum Training Institute in 1972, and in 1978, Warri became the site of Nigeria’s second petroleum refinery and consequently, an oil-products pipeline flows from the refinery to Kaduna and Kano in northern region of Nigeria. In addition, in 1981 at nearby Aladja area, an integrated steel plant, which was designed to make greater Warri one of the leading steel centres in the country, was established. Warri City is a melting pot as it is a multi-ethnic city comprising primarily of Urhobo, Itsekiri & Ijaw ethnic groups. There is a large population of several other ethnic nationalities from across Nigeria such as Isoko, Anioma, Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba. As a result of the increasingly high urban and commercial development of the area, Warri has witnessed an inflow of nonnatives, especially the Igbos. The city has three local government areas. They are; Warri South Local Government Area, Warri North Local Government Area and Warri South West Local Government Area. Osubi, Ogunu, Okere, Agbarho and Okuokoko are the major neighbouring communities surrounding the city. Other major surrounding towns such as Effurun

Getting there

The Warri town and port of Delta state lies along the Warri River in the western Niger River 30 miles (48 kilometres) upstream from the port of Forcados on the Bight of Benin.

By plane The nearest airport to Warri is Benin City (BNI) Airport which is 90 km away. Other nearby airports include: Port Harcourt (PHC) 145 km away, Owerri (QOW) 161 km away, Enugu (ENU) 227 km away, and Lagos (LOS) 293 km away. Transport by air into the city is through Osubi Airstrip (also known as Warri Airport) which is located in Osubi, a nearby town. There's also the presence of a smaller airstrip at Ugborikoko, which served as the only airport until a bigger airport was built at Osubi. Arik Air and Aero Contractors are some of the main airlines operating commercial flights on this route.

By road Road transport is undoubtedly the most commonly used means of transportation in the country at large, especially for inter and intra-state movement. There are several road transport company terminals in Warri city. Notable among them include:

God Is Good Motors Bob Izua Motors G. Agofure Motors Sunny Eru Motors Gtruck International Services Eagle Line Ameosa Motors

By boat On the main Warri riverside are markets and jetties used by local traders, which act as a transit point for local transport and trade. There are also local boats which are used for movement from one location to another.

By rail After decades of construction, a new railway line between Itakpe and Warri was completed in 2019. Primarily aimed at transporting goods from the steel mills at Ajaokuta to the port of Warri, the limited number of passenger trains on the route does not stop at major cities. One potential useful connection is with Agbor, which lies on the A232, a major east-west highway with plenty of connecting buses.

1 Warri railway station (Ujevwu railway station). Once daily train departing from Itakpe at 8AM. (updated Jul 2022)

Getting around

The major ways to move around are through public mass transit buses and tricycles (popularly called keke napep). Also, there are jetties for movement around waterways.

See

Some interesting places to visit in Warri include:

1 Delta Ports. The Delta Ports are a quadruplet of seaports sited along the Niger Delta coastline in the port towns of Warri, Sapele, Koko and Burutu. (updated Jun 2021) 2 Effurun Garden Park. (updated Jun 2021) 3 Falcorp Mangrove Park and Mini Zoo, Ijala Ikenren, 332101 (off the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) Jetty, Road or via Ifiekporo Road, through Ubeji). 10AM to 6PM. On entering into the park, you see a bird's-eye view of the royal cemetery where all the past Olus of the Iwere Kingdom are buried. The Royal Museum displays artefacts of the ancient Warri Kingdom. These displays represent the place of the Ifiekporo community as the ancestral home of the Itshekiri. You can also visit the apiary, and the Erejuwa Gallery. The Hall of Fame has photographs of important past presidents, military leaders of Nigeria and other African countries. You can see different species of fish kept in different pools of water, chimpanzees in cages, crocodiles, baboons and python. You can also go hiking, fishing, canoeing, and horse riding, or do mud bathing (updated Jan 2023) 4 Nana Living History Museum. located in the town of Koko outside Warri. Former Itsekiri chief Nana Olomu's palace has been converted into a museum which chronicles his interactions with the British. (updated Jun 2021) 5 Olu Of Warri Palace, Ekured Itsekiri. (updated Jun 2021) 6 Red Mangrove swamp, Abraka Golf Course. The Red Mangrove Swamp is an interesting place to see and explore. It’s best visited with a local wooden boat for an authentic experience. The swamp offers an opportunity to explore the local wildlife and fauna and reveals the indigenous nature of Warri. (updated Jun 2021) 7 Udu Bridge. (updated Jun 2021) 8 Warri City Stadium. (updated Jun 2021) Warri Township Stadium, Agbasa, ☏ +234 903 031 4819. An international stadium with a capacity of 30,000, this is the home of Warri Wolves football club, which has hosted two editions of the African Women Football Championship and was in contention as one of the venues to be used for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria in 2009. (updated Jun 2021) 9 Word of Life Bible Church Building. (updated Jun 2021) Abraka Turf Country Club. Also, Warri city has development establishments such as factories, skill acquisition centres and schools some of which include; furniture or olphostry factory, soft-drink factory, secondary and tertiary schools, trade schools, government hospitals, as well as handicraft centre.

Do

Abraka Golf Course, 9 Old Sapele-Agbor Road, Oria, Abraka, ☏ +234 703 364 8662, +234 817 830 7403. 9AM - 5PM. This luxurious resort sits on over 100 acres of lush green land, surrounded by the ambience of refreshing gardens, exotic birds, horses and a scenic walkway. (updated Jun 2021) 1 Lighthouse Cinema, Warri Port Expy, Okuokoko, ☏ +234 903 657 5516. 9AM-10PM. (updated Jan 2022)

Festivals There are some fun festivals that usually take place within the city. These festivals include:

Awankere Juju festival. (updated Jun 2021) Okere festival. (updated Jun 2021).

Buy

Some of Warri’s major markets include:

The Ibo market, Uwie modern mark Ugbolokoso modern market Main Warri Market Igbudu Market Pessu Market Shoprite. Gem stone shopping mall

Eat

There are several nice spots for visitors and tourists in Warri town to relax and enjoy a good meal. Some of them include:

1 AJ Fast Food, 214 Airport Road, Edjeba, ☏ +234 8158174234. 8AM-9PM. For a quick bite. Has desserts too. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Temple Grill, Plot 587 21st Street DDPA Estate Uview, ☏ +234 8180000754. Tu-F 3PM-12:30AM, Sa 11AM-midnight, closed Su M. It is rather chic and swanky. You can have a glass of Hennessy with your meal. (updated Aug 2020) 3 Casa Nito Food Delivery, 10 Katsina Close, NPDC/NDW Estate former shell Estate, Edjeba (GPPM+PF8 Warri), ☏ +234 802 305 1051. 8AM-5PM. Delivery, all you can eat, take away, happy-hour food, kid's menu, organic dishes, salad bar, vegetarian options, and wine. Credit cards, MasterCard, cash, debit cards. (updated Mar 2022) Play et Dine, Sokoh estate road, Airport Road, ☏ + 234 8060 926 733. 8:30AM-7PM. Dine-in, takeaway, delivery. Fast food and drinks. Spicy chicken, stir-fried chicken spaghetti, egg sauce fried plantain owo soup, prawn jollof rice. All kinds of drinks. (updated Jun 2022) 4 Dalph Corner, Warri. 8AM-11PM. Takeaway. (updated Dec 2021) 5 Restaurant African Pot, Sapele Rd, Enerhe. Dine-in. Takeaway. (updated Dec 2021) 6 Phluid Restaurant and Lounge, 3, Osubi Airport hotel road, opposite Winners Junction Osubi, Osubi, ☏ +234 704 668 5432. 10AM-10PM. Dine-in. Curbside pickup. No-contact delivery. (updated Dec 2021) 7 1812, Shop 29, Delta Mall, ☏ +234 815 904 5425. 9AM-10PM. Dine-in. Curbside pickup. Delivery. (updated Dec 2021) 8 Omotiegbe, Agbarho, ☏ +234 806 437 4125. Takeaway. Delivery. (updated Dec 2021) 9 Shawarma Kitchen, Osubi, Osubi express by Jehovah witness, Osubi, ☏ +234 703 248 8436. 2-10PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. (updated Dec 2021) Chicken Republic, Refinery Road, Effurun, ☏ +234 803 067 6039. Dine-in and takeaway. (updated Jul 2024) Frantex Restaurant, Jeddo Town, Before Primary School, Jeddo, ☏ +234 703 252 8058. Daily 9AM-10PM. Local and continental dishes. (updated Jul 2024) Landmark Foods Limited, Km 4, Refinery Road, ☏ +234 702 829 0929. (updated Jul 2024) Madam Rose Fast Food, Osubi Road, ☏ +234 901 083 5419. M-Sa (7AM-6PM). Local dishes (updated Jul 2024) Mamas Shop, Okuokoko, Off Osubi Road, ☏ +234 903 304 6892. M-F 8AM-6PM. (updated Jul 2024) Nerpheex Kitchen, Warri - Sapele Road, Effurun, ☏ +234 815 601 0046. An Hausa restaurant specializing in local dishes (updated Jul 2024) Sizzlers Fast Food, 11 Afatakpa Drive, Off Enerhen Road Opposite Sea Truck Enerhen, ☏ +234 818 042 1180, +234 806 343 2400, [email protected]. (updated Jul 2024)

Drink & nightlife

Lady J Gardens, Bar and Grill, NPA 25 Warri Sapele Road, ☏ +234 814 490 2529. Dine-in, alcohol, take away, sitting in groups. (updated Mar 2022) 1 Exclusive Spot Bar & Lounge, KM 1 DSC Expressway, by Conoil Filling Station, Ebrumede, Effurun, ☏ +234 813 006 0233. 24 hours. Dine-in. Takeawa. Delivery. Reservations required. (updated Dec 2021)

Sleep

1 Jubilee Retreat and Conference Center, 5 Enerhen Rd, Effurun, ☏ +234 7014351311. Big hotel/event center complex run by Catholic church with restaurant serving foofoo and stuff, plus wifi and a/c. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Bedouin Hotel and Suites, No. 5 Rev J. Oloye Street, Ugbolokposo, Effurun GRA. Fairly modern with orange exterior. Has pool and dining. ₦15,000. (updated Aug 2020)

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