Onitsha
Onitsha (Igbo: Ọ̀nị̀chà Mmílí or simply Ọ̀nị̀chà) is a city on the eastern bank of the Niger River, in Anambra State, Nigeria. A metropolitan city, Onitsha is known for its river port and as an economic hub for commerce, industry, and education. It is one of the largest metropolitan area in Nigeria with a fast growing population of over 8 million people. It hosts the Onitsha Main Market, the largest market in Africa in terms of geographical size and volume of goods. Onitsha and neighboring Asaba on the western bank of the Niger River form a continuous metropolitan area.
Onitsha
Ọ̀nị̀chà Mmílí Port City | |
|---|---|
Metropolis | |
From Top to Left to Right: Onitsha Stock Exchange; Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity; DMGS Roundabout; Dennis Memorial Grammar School; Onitsha International Market; Second Niger Bridge; First Niger Bridge; All Saints Cathedral. | |
| Nickname(s): Port City, Onitsha(Osha), Otu, Otu Nkwo | |
| Motto: Eastern/Nigeria Hub For Economic Activities | |
| Anthem: "With all our hearts, We Pray and ask" | |
Onitsha Location of Onitsha in Nigeria Onitsha Onitsha (Africa) | |
| Coordinates: 6°10′N 6°47′E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Anambra State |
| LGA(s) | List of LGAs
|
| Founded | 1550 |
| Settled | 15th century |
| Incorporated city | 19th century |
| Government | |
| • Type | Constitutional Monarchy, Executive Government, Local Government |
| • Governor | Charles Chukwuma Soludo (APGA) |
| • Legislature | Anambra State House of Assembly |
| • Anambra North District | N: Tony Nwoye (LP) |
| • Constitutional Monarchy | HRH, Alfred Achebe. Obi Of Onitsha |
| Area | |
| • Metropolis | 830 km2 (320 sq mi) |
| • Land | 614.12 km2 (237.11 sq mi) |
| • Water | 0.067 km2 (0.026 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 1,965 km2 (759 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,965 km2 (759 sq mi) |
| Population (2022) | |
| • Metropolis | 3,553,000 |
| • Urban | 7,985,643 |
| • Urban density | 4,100/km2 (11,000/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 8,197,540 |
| • Metro density | 4,200/km2 (11,000/sq mi) |
| • Demonym | Onye Onicha (singular) Ndi Onicha (plural) (Igbo) |
| GDP (PPP, 2015 int. Dollar) | |
| • Year | 2023 |
| • Total | $18,5 billion |
| • Per capita | $11,400 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
| Postcode | 430... |
| Area code | 046 |
| National language | Igbo |
| Website | anambrastate |
As of 2016, Onitsha had an estimated city proper population of 2,080,000 people. As of early 2022, Onitsha has a rising estimated population of 3,553,000. The indigenous people of Onitsha are Igbo and speak the Igbo language. The Onitsha people are referred to as Ndi Onicha, the Onitsha greater metropolis built-up area is regarded as one of the largest metropolitan areas in Africa, the largest metropolitan area by landmass in Nigeria, and the second largest in terms of population, with the largest being Lagos. The continuous urban sprawl or conurbation spreads across separate towns from Asaba Onitsha Obosi Ogbaru Nnewi Awka down to Orlu in Imo state. According to Africapolis (citation needed), the Onitsha greater metropolis will, by 2050, be regarded as one of the most densely populated areas in the world. In 2023, McKinsey predicted that the Onitsha greater metropolis area will double in human development by 2045 with the current expansion rate (citation needed).