Imo State · Nigeria
Owerri travel guide
Owerri is a city in Imo State, Nigeria, home to about 908,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- QOW20 km · Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport
- Currency
- NGNnaira
- Time zone
- Africa/Lagos
- Language
- English
About
About Owerri
Owerri ( oh-WERR-ee, Igbo: Owèrrè) 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.
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.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Owerri
See
- Owerri Zoo
- Freedom Square
- Imo State Council for Arts and Centre
- National Museum Owerri
- Oguta Lake
- Chief Uwunna Recreational Park
- Heroes square
- Dan Anyiam Stadium
- Ahiajoku Convention center
- Imo State Government house
- Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord
Do
- Imo Carnival
- IHOP Children Park
- Peace Island Recreational Area
- Dream World Amusement Park
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Owerri
1 hotel within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Protea Hotel Owerri Select | 2.3 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Owerri
Owerri has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. February is the warmest month, with average highs of 34 °C; September is the wettest, with about 350 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Owerri: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (QOW), about 20 km from the city centre in a straight line; Port Harcourt International Airport (PHC, 53 km) and Port Harcourt City Airport / Port Harcourt Air Force Base (PHG, 71 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
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.
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.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
QOW · Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport
PHC · Port Harcourt International Airport
PHG · Port Harcourt City Airport / Port Harcourt Air Force Base
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Owerri
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.
Drink
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.
Stay safe
Visitors moving around in Owerri should endeavour to sanitize their hands and wear nose masks to avoid being infected with COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The region has also reportedly been under siege by the army and constant attacks by "unknown gunmen". It is advisable to be careful and not to stay out late.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Owerri: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Owerri?
Owerri has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. February is the warmest month, with average highs of 34 °C; September is the wettest, with about 350 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Owerri?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (QOW), about 20 km from the city centre in a straight line; Port Harcourt International Airport (PHC, 53 km) and Port Harcourt City Airport / Port Harcourt Air Force Base (PHG, 71 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Owerri?
naira (NGN).
Nearby
Destinations near Owerri
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.