View source for Onitsha

{{Short description|City in Anambra State, Nigeria}}
{{About||the novel|Onitsha (novel)|the gospel musician|Onitsha (musician)}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->| official_name      = Onitsha
| native_name        = {{nativename|ig|Ọ̀nị̀chà Mmílí}}
| other_name         = Port City
| settlement_type    = Metropolis
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border            = infobox
| total_width       = 270
| image_style       = border:1;
| perrow            = 1/2/1/2
| image2            = Onitsha Stock Exchange.jpg 
| image3            = Cathedral Basilica of the most holy trinity Onitsha.jpg 
| image4            =Dmgs roundabout onitsha and Azikiwe statue II.jpg
| image5            = Dennis Memorial Grammer School.jpg 
| image6            = Onitsha_Main_Market.jpg
| image7            =
| image8 = Onitsha Bridge 2.jpg
| image9 =All saints Cathedral Onitsha.jpg 
}}
| image_caption      = '''''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.
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| nickname           = Port City, Onitsha(Osha), Otu, Otu Nkwo
<!-- images and maps  ----------->| image_map          = 
| mapsize            = 
| map_caption        = 
| image_map1         = 
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| pushpin_map        = Nigeria#Africa
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Onitsha in Nigeria 
<!-- Location ------------------>| coordinates        = {{coord|6|10|N|6|47|E|region:NG_type:city(328300)|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Nigeria}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[States of Nigeria|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Local Government Areas of Nigeria|LGA(s)]]{{refn|name=LGA|group=note|Main and Metropolitan Onitsha consists of 2 and 7 of Anambra State's 21 LGAs, Respectively.}}
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_type4  = 
| subdivision_name1  = [[Anambra State]]
| subdivision_name2  = {{collapsible list |title=List of LGAs
|'''Mainland''': [[Onitsha North]], [[Onitsha South]]{{refn|group=note|Only Onitsha, Fegge, Woliwo, Odoakpu, American Quarters, Inland Town, Et cetera}} 
|'''Urban Conurbations''': Parts of |[[Anambra East]], [[Idemili North]], [[Idemili South]], [[Ogbaru]], [[Oyi]] 
}}
| subdivision_name3  = 
| subdivision_name4  = <!-- Politics ----------------->
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1550
| established_title2 = Settled
| established_date2  = 15th century
| established_title3 = Incorporated city
| established_date3  = 19th century
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Constitutional Monarchy]], 
[[Executive Government]], [[Local Government]]
| leader_title       = [[Governor of Anambra State|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[Charles Chukwuma Soludo]]
| leader_title1      = [[Legislature]]
| leader_name1       = [[Anambra State House of Assembly]]
| unit_pref          = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="UNHabitat">{{cite book |title=Structure Plan for Onitsha and Satellite Towns |author=UN Habitat |publisher=UN-HABITAT |year=2009 |url=http://www.unhabitat.org/pmss/getElectronicVersion.aspx?nr=2687&alt=1 |isbn=978-92-1-132117-3 |author-link=UN Habitat |access-date=2010-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927060753/http://www.unhabitat.org/pmss/getElectronicVersion.aspx?nr=2687&alt=1 |archive-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 830
| area_land_km2      = 614.12
| area_water_km2     = 0.067
| area_urban_km2     = 1,965
| area_metro_km2     = 1,965
| area_blank1_title  = Onitsha
| area_blank1_km2    = <!-- Population   ----------------------->
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use  tags-->
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_ft       = <!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Britannica">{{Britannica|ID= 429251|title=Onitsha Nigeria}}</ref>
| population_total   = 1,695,000<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/22013/onitsha/population | title=Onitsha, Nigeria Metro Area Population 1950-2024 }}</ref>
| population_as_of   = 2022
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_urban   = 7,985,643
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = auto
| population_metro   = 8,320,664<ref name="Africapolis">{{Cite web |title= Africapolis |url=https://africapolis.org/en/explore?agglomeration=Onitsha&country=Nigeria&poprange=1,2,3,4,5,6&year=2020 |access-date=2024-02-23}}</ref>
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = auto
| population_blank1_title = Ethnicity
| population_blank1  = 
| population_density_blank1_km2 = 
| population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information  --------------->
| population_blank2_title = [[Demonym]]
| population_blank2  = Onye Onicha (singular) <br />Ndi Onicha (plural) <small>([[Igbo language|Igbo]])</small>
| population_note    = 
<!-- GDP --------------->
| demographics_type1       = [[GDP|GDP (PPP, 2015 int. Dollar)]]
| demographics1_footnotes  = 
| demographics1_title1     = Year
| demographics1_info1      = 2023
| demographics1_title2     = Total 
| demographics1_info2      = $18,5&nbsp;billion<ref name="TelluBase">{{cite web|url=https://tellusant.com/repo/tb/tellubase_factsheet_nga.pdf|publisher=Tellusant|title=TelluBase—Nigeria Fact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series)| access-date = 2024-01-11}}</ref>
| demographics1_title3     = Per capita
| demographics1_info3     = $11,400
| timezone1          = [[West Africa Time|WAT]]
| utc_offset1        = +1
| postal_code_type   = Postcode
| postal_code        = 430...<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nipost.gov.ng/PostCode.aspx |title=Nipost Postcode Map |publisher=Nigerian Postal Service |access-date=2010-05-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126042849/http://www.nipost.gov.ng/postcode.aspx |archive-date=2012-11-26 }}</ref>
| area_code          = 046
| website            = {{URL|https://anambrastate.gov.ng}}
| footnotes          = 
| image_dot_map      = 
| dot_mapsize        = 
| dot_map_caption    = 
| dot_x              = 
| dot_y              = 
| leader_title2      = [[Senate of Nigeria|Anambra North District]]
| leader_name2       = {{Nowrap|[[Anambra North Senatorial District|N]]: [[Tony Nwoye]] ([[Labour Party (Nigeria)|LP]])}}
| leader_title3      = Constitutional Monarchy
| leader_name3       = [[HRH]], [[Alfred Achebe]]. Obi Of Onitsha
| leader_title4      = 
| leader_name4       = 
| blank_name         = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info         = [[Tropical savanna climate|Aw]]
| blank1_name        = 
| blank1_info        = 
| name               = 
| anthem             = "[[With all our hearts, We Pray and ask]]"<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">{{center|}}</div>
| image_alt          = 
| Government         = 
| Image Skyline1     = 
| Image of Skyline   = 
| leader_party       = [[All Progressives Grand Alliance|APGA]]
|blank_name_sec1= National language
|blank_info_sec1= [[Igbo language|Igbo]]
}}
'''Onitsha''' ({{Langx|ig|Ọ̀nị̀chà Mmílí}}<ref name=":1">{{cite book |title=Njepu amaka--migration is rewarding: a sociocultural anthropological study of global economic migration |first=Eloka Chijioke Paul Nwolisa |last=Okanga |page=63 |publisher=Peter Lang |year=2003 |isbn=0-8204-6090-7}}</ref> or simply ''Ọ̀nị̀chà'') is a city on the eastern bank of the [[Niger River]], in [[Anambra State]], [[Nigeria]]. Onitsha along with various cities and towns in southern Anambra State, northern [[Imo State]] and neighboring [[Delta State]] on the western bank of the [[Niger River]], form a continuous [[metropolitan area]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-11 |title=Onitsha {{!}} Nigeria, Map, & History {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Onitsha-Nigeria |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ajemates.org/index.php/ajemates/article/download/278/247 |access-date=2023-11-08|title=Onitsha, Anambra state urbanization and the housing challenges |website=www.ajemates.org}}</ref>

As of 2016, the greater Onitsha area had an estimated population of around 8 million people in central and southern Anambra state extending into neighboring Delta state to the west and Imo state to the south.<ref name="Africapolis">{{Cite web |title= Africapolis |url=https://africapolis.org/en/explore?agglomeration=Onitsha&country=Nigeria&poprange=1,2,3,4,5,6&year=2020 |access-date=2024-02-23}}</ref> Spread across parts of these 3 states, the greater Onitsha area is regarded as one of the largest metropolitan areas in Nigeria by both population and landmass.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reimagining economic growth in Africa |url=https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/mckinsey%20global%20institute/our%20research/reimagining%20economic%20growth%20in%20africa%20turning%20diversity%20into%20opportunity/reimagining-economic-growth-in-africa-v6.pdf|website=www.mckinsey.com}}</ref> The continuous urban sprawl or [[conurbation]] of greater Onitsha spreads across several separate cities and their satellite towns and suburbs including [[Asaba]], [[Obosi]],  [[Oba, Anambra|Oba]], [[Ogbaru]], [[Nnewi]], the Anambra State capital [[Awka]] down to [[Orlu, Imo|Orlu]] in Imo State.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reimagining economic growth in Africa |url=https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/mckinsey%20global%20institute/our%20research/reimagining%20economic%20growth%20in%20africa%20turning%20diversity%20into%20opportunity/reimagining-economic-growth-in-africa-v6.pdf|website=www.mckinsey.com}}</ref> As of early 2024, Onitsha [[city proper]] has an estimated population of 1,695,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Onitsha, Nigeria Metro Area Population 1950-2022 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/22013/onitsha/population |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=www.macrotrends.net}}</ref>

The indigenous people of Onitsha are [[Igbo people|Igbo]] and speak the [[Igbo language]] with Onitsha being the largest urban area and commercial hub of the [[Igboland]] region of Nigeria, the Igbo people’s indigenous homeland. The Onitsha people are referred to as Ndi Onicha in Igbo. [[English language|English]] and [[Nigerian Pidgin|Nigerian Pidgin English]] are also widely spoken. Although the population is largely Igbo, there are many other ethnic groups in the Onitsha area mainly from other Nigerian ethnicities indigenous to the southeast of the country due to Onitshas position as an economic hub in the region.

According to Africapolis,<ref>{{Cite book |title=OCDE/CSAO (2020), Africa's Urbanisation Dynamics 2020 : Africapolis, Mapping a New Urban Geography, West African Studies, Éditions OCDE, Paris |date=2020 |doi=10.1787/b6bccb81-en |isbn=978-92-64-57958-3 |url=https://doi.org/10.1787/b6bccb81-en |access-date=2024-02-23}}</ref><ref name="Africapolis">{{Cite web |title= Africapolis |url=https://africapolis.org/en/explore?agglomeration=Onitsha&country=Nigeria&poprange=1,2,3,4,5,6&year=2020 |access-date=2024-02-23}}</ref> the greater Onitsha metropolis will be regarded as one of the most densely populated areas in the world by 2050. In 2023, [[McKinsey]] predicted that the greater Onitsha metropolis area will double in human development by 2045 with the current expansion rate.<ref name=":1" />

== Early History ==
The origins of Onitsha begins in the 16th century, when Eze Chima, a native doctor who descended from [[Eri (king)|Eri]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Ijeaku |first=Nnamdi |title=The Igbo and Their Niger Delta Neighbors |publisher=Xlibris Corporation |year=2009 |language=English}}</ref> was invited by Oba [[Esigie]] of Benin during the Benin-Igala war.{{sfn|Nkemnacho|2023|p=150}} Esigie had heard of a native doctor and of the tales of his diabolical powers, he ordered his men to bring Chima to his palace so he may help Benin win their war. After the war was won, Chima would found the kingdom of Ado N’Idu, after having been given land by Esigie.

However, a collapse in the relationship between Esigie and Chima would occur due to, depending on the account, of the Queen Mother, Idia, having either been beaten by Chima’s men for intruding on their farmland,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Azikiwe |first=Nnamdi |title=My odyssey: an autobiography |publisher=C. Hurst |year=1970 |location=London |pages=11 |language=English}}</ref> or having been denied tribute,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nkemnacho |first=George |title=Olukumi Kingdom: A Peculiar Yoruba Enclave |publisher=Publishing Services Consortium |year=2023 |location=Canada |language=English}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Ohadike |first=Don C. |title=Anioma : a social history of the Western Igbo people |publisher=Ohio University Press |year=1994 |location=US |language=English}}</ref> would demand retribution from Esigie. Esigie, would call upon Gbunwara, the leader of the Benin army, to wage war on Ado N’Idu, and Chima informed of this gathered his men, and fought a fierce war against the armies of Benin for several days, before being overwhelmed by their superior numbers, and for the survival of his people, mounting a retreat. <ref name=":2" />

Eze Chima, and his retinue of warriors and extended family, would leave their kingdom of Ado N’Idu to seek a new pasture, and many of the retinue branching off to found their own settlements, such as Onicha-Olona, Onicha Ugbo, Obio etc. Eventually, once reaching the westbank of the Niger, Chima would die before they could mount across, leaving the rest of the retinue to be lead by his son, Oraeze, who lead them across the river and named their new settlement, ''Ọ̀nị̀chà Mmílí,'' or Onitsha-on-water, the kingdom of Onitsha was founded. <ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

== Modern history ==
[[File: Niger bridge.jpg|top|left|thumb|Niger Bridge.]]

Onitsha slowly grew to become an important trading port for the [[Royal Niger Company]] in the mid-1850s following the abolition of slavery and with the development of the steam engine when [[Europeans]] were able to move into the hinterland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-07-25 |title=Bridges and the cost of democracy |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/bridges-cost-democracy/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Onitsha Tourism (2024) Nigeria - Best Places to Visit in Onitsha, Onitsha Travel Reviews and Images |url=https://www.hellotravel.com/nigeria/onitsha |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=HelloTravel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-07-25 |title=Bridges and the cost of democracy |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/bridges-cost-democracy/ }}</ref>

Trade in [[palm kernel]]s, [[palm oil]], and other cash crops on the coast of the [[Bight of Biafra]] increased around this river port in the 19th century.

In 1857 [[British Empire|British]] [[palm oil]] traders established a permanent station in the city with Christian missionaries joining them.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Gospel on the Banks of the Niger: Journals and Notices of the Native Missionaries Accompanying the Niger Expedition of 1857–1859 |first=Crowther & |last=Taylor |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2010 |orig-date=1859 |isbn=978-1-108-01184-6}}.</ref>

In 1900 Onitsha became part of a British [[protectorate]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Southern Nigeria in Transition 1885–1906 |first=J. C. |last=Anene |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1966 |pages=212–213}}</ref> The British colonial government and Christian [[missionaries]] penetrated most of [[Igboland]] to set up their administration, schools and churches through the river port at Onitsha.

In 1965, the [[River Niger Bridge (Onitsha)|Niger River Bridge]] was built across the [[Niger River]] to replace the ferry crossing. This has helped to grow trade routes with western Nigeria and created significant economic linkages between Onitsha and [[Benin City]] and Lagos particularly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/12/30/with-new-funding-second-niger-bridge-offers-hope-of-economic-revolution/|title=With New Funding, Second Niger Bridge Offers Hope of Economic Revolution|website=The Business Year|date=30 December 2018|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hometown.ng/listing-item/onitsha/|title=Onitsha {{!}} Hometown.ng™|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref>

The [[Nigeria Civil War|Nigerian-Biafran war]] brought devastation to Onitsha as the city was a major theatre of war for forces entering [[Biafra]] from the western front. The subsequent oil boom years of the 1970s and early 1980s witnessed a huge influx of immigrants into the city. The result has been hastily constructed and haphazard building which has created a huge number of slums.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onitshacitymarathon.com/aboutonitsha.html|title=About Onitsha|website=onitshacitymarathon.com|access-date=2020-01-22}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Festival===
Once a year in October the kingdom of Onitsha holds the [[Ofala Festival]] which coincides with the traditional [[New Yam festival]] held in many parts of [[Igboland]]. The Ofala Festival in ancient times offered the people the opportunity to see the king and receive blessings from him. Nowadays, it is a way for the people of Onitsha to keep their culture alive, take stock of the communal activities and it has become a major event that draws visitors from far and wide to the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Obi of Onitsha Commends Glo for Supporting Ofala Festival - THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/13/obi-of-onitsha-commends-glo-for-supporting-ofala-festival |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=www.thisdaylive.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Geography ==

Onitsha lies on the eastern flank of a major east–west crossing point of the [[Niger River]] across from the [[Asaba|city of Asaba, Delta]] and occupies the northernmost point of the river regularly navigable by large vessels. It is the western terminus of the central ''Anambra hills''. These factors have historically and in modern-day made Onitsha into major trading center between the coastal regions and the north, as well as between eastern and western Nigeria. Onitsha possesses one of the very few road bridge crossings of the mile-wide Niger River<ref>{{cite news |title=The second Niger Bridge |newspaper=The Daily Sun |date=2007-02-20 |url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/opinion/editorial/2007/feb/20/editorial-20-02-2007-001.htm |access-date=2007-04-06}}</ref><ref name=britannica>{{cite web |title=Britannica |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/429251/Onitsha |access-date=2008-10-02}}</ref> and plans are in place to add a [[Second Niger bridge|second bridge]] southwards of the existing one.

Rapid urbanization in recent years although promoting the economy, negatively affects natural vegetation and local landscape.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Nwaogu|first1=Chukwudi|last2=Okeke|first2=Onyedikachi J.|last3=Fadipe|first3=Olusola O.|last4=Bashiru|first4=Kehinde A.|last5=Pechanec|first5=Vilém|date=2017|title=Is Nigeria losing its natural vegetation and landscape? Assessing the land use-landcover change trajectories and effects in Onitsha using remote sensing and GIS|journal=Open Geosciences|volume=9|issue=1|pages=707–718|doi=10.1515/geo-2017-0053|bibcode=2017OGeo....9...53N|doi-access=free}}</ref> the region is also considerably erosion prone

== Climate ==
Onitsha has two main seasons: a warm, oppressive, and overcast wet (''rainy'') season from March to October, and a hot and partly cloudy dry season from November to February with both largely influenced by the SW and NE [[trade winds]] of the Atlantic [[Intertropical Convergence Zone|International Convergence Zone (''ITCZ'')]]. [[Harmattan|Saharan harmattan winds]] are experienced during the winter months, causing [[haze]] and poor visibility with [[thunderstorm]]s common in March/April as well as in late September/October. Over the duration of the year, the temperature commonly varies from 19&nbsp;°C (67&nbsp;°)F to 31&nbsp;°C (88&nbsp;°F) and is rarely below 15&nbsp;°C (59&nbsp;°F) or above 33&nbsp;°C (92&nbsp;°F).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Onitsha Nigeria |url=https://weatherspark.com/y/52941/Average-Weather-in-Onitsha-Nigeria-Year-Round}}</ref> The [[Köppen climate classification]] is ''[[Köppen climate classification|Aw]]''.

== Urbanization ==
In the early 1960s, before the [[Nigerian Civil War]] (see also [[Biafra]]), the population was officially recorded as 76,000, and the town was distinctive in a number of dimensions; the great Nigerian writer [[Chinua Achebe]] (born and raised in the contiguous town of [[Ogidi, Anambra State|Ogidi]]) characterized it as harboring an "esoteric region from which creativity sallies forth at will to manifest itself,"  "a zone of occult instability" (see [http://www.amightytree.org "Onitsha Matters"]).

Indeed, Onitsha has played a creative role in the transformation to urban life in Eastern Nigeria famous as the setting for [[Onitsha Market Literature]] and as one of the hubs for the financing and distribution of [[Nollywood]] films.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Madichie|first1=Nnamdi|last2=Nkamnebe|first2=Anayo|date=2010-11-01|title=51 Iweka Road (Onitsha, Nigeria): Could this single African address redefine business cluster development?|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227441280|journal=World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development|volume=6|issue=3|pages=229–243|doi=10.1504/WREMSD.2010.036677}}</ref>

However, infrastructure has not kept pace with urbanization and haphazard building practices without zoning regulations has left in its wake a chaotic and congested city rife with lawlessness. The [[World Health Organization]] Global Urban Ambient [[Air Pollution]] database's 2016 update indicates that Onitsha is the most polluted city in Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://datadriven.yale.edu/2016/06/06/a-new-air-pollution-database-is-good-but-imperfect/|title=A New Air Pollution Database Is Good, but Imperfect {{!}} Data-Driven Yale|website=datadriven.yale.edu|access-date=2016-11-25|archive-date=2016-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126064843/http://datadriven.yale.edu/2016/06/06/a-new-air-pollution-database-is-good-but-imperfect/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://undark.org/article/air-pollution-lagos/|title=Amid Staggering Pollution, Nigerians Struggle to Catch Their Breath|last=Cunningham|first=Anna|date=October 22, 2018|website=Undark|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref>

In recent times with the encroachment of neighboring communities, the Onitsha people have been involved in disputes over land ownership in the surrounding area with the people of Obosi and Nkwelle Ezunaka.<ref>Vincent Ujumadu (June 17, 2013). [http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/17-injured-bus-burnt-as-onitsha-obosi-youths-clash-over-land/ "17 injured, bus burnt as Onitsha, Obosi youths clash over land"]. ''Vanguard''. Retrieved September 2, 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.ezunaka.com/node/27 Nigeria: "Nkwelle-Ezunaka Battles Onitsha Over Land"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502033103/http://www.ezunaka.com/node/27 |date=2014-05-02 }}. ''Nkwelle Ezunaka Union USA''. Retrieved September 2, 2014.</ref> Fegge, Awada, and 3-3 are Onitsha metropolitan areas being disputed by the communities of Obosi and Nkwelle Ezunaka, respectively.[[File: Onitsha City View.jpg|thumb|Onitsha Skyline]]

== Economy ==
[[File: Harbor Layout Onitsha.jpg|thumb|Harbor Industrial Layout of Onitsha]]

In 2012 the state government, through a joint venture, attracted [[SAB Miller]] to invest in [[Intafact Beverages Limited|Onitsha Brewery]], which started production in August. It was the first large-scale investment in Onitsha since Premier Breweries, makers of the Premier Beer established production in Onitsha in the early part of the 1980s. In January it was announced that upgrades to the value of $110 million would triple the output of beer and malt drinks.<ref name="Business Day">{{cite web |url=http://businessdayonline.com/2014/01/sab-miller-investing-110-m-to-triple-onitsha-brewery-capacity/ |title=SAB Miller investing $110 m to triple Onitsha brewery capacity |access-date=28 February 2014 |archive-date=7 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307121807/http://businessdayonline.com/2014/01/sab-miller-investing-110-m-to-triple-onitsha-brewery-capacity/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Transport==
Onitsha is not only accessible by rivers and land, but also by air. The city has an international cargo and [[Anambra International Cargo Airport|passenger airport]] located at [[Umueri]].

== Religion and politics ==
Onitsha is a predominantly [[Christian]] city. People from Northern and Western Nigeria also practice Islam. In February 2006, armed militants killed at least 80 ethnic [[Hausa–Fulani|Hausa Fulani]] (Muslims) and burned a few Muslim sites, including two mosques.<ref name=aljazeera1>{{Cite news |title=Scores killed in Nigeria riots |work=Al Jazeera |date=2006-02-23 }}</ref><ref name=aljazeera2>{{Cite news |title=Toll rises in Nigeria sectarian riots |work=Al Jazeera |date=2006-02-24 }}</ref><ref name=washingtonpost>{{Cite news |title=Nigerian Christians Burn Corpses |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2006-02-24 |last=Timberg |first=Craig |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/23/AR2006022300647.html |access-date=2007-04-06 |pages=A10 }}</ref> The riots were in response to riots by [[Muslims]] in the city of [[Maiduguri]] days earlier, where at least 18 Christians were killed, sparked by the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|cartoon controversy]] in [[Denmark]].

==In Popular Culture==

== Environment==
The amount of waste generation is attributed to the city's high population being a [[commercial area]] that draws in people from within and outside Nigeria for business purposes. They generate mostly [[food waste]], [[polythene bag]]s, [[paper]] and its related wastes and [[metal]]. Others are pieces of  [[clothes]], [[plastic]], [[Tin can|tins]], [[bottle]]s  and  [[Glass (material)|glass materials]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nwachukwu M. U. |date=December 2010 |title=Solid Waste Generation and Disposal in a Nigerian City: An Empirical Analysis in Onitsha Metropolis |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319042159 |journal=Journal of Environmental Management and Safety |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=180–191 |via=ResearchGate}}</ref> In 2016, PM10 levels exceeded the [[WHO]]'s standard by 30 times.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Phoebe Parke |title=World's most polluted city by air is in ... Nigeria |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/31/africa/nigeria-cities-pollution/index.html |access-date=2022-03-02 |work=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-13 |title=Welcome to Onitsha: the city with the world's worst air |url=http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/feb/13/polluted-onitsha-nigeria-perpetual-dust-city-world-worst-air |access-date=2022-03-02 |newspaper=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>
The city's noise levels exceeds the federal ministry of environment stipulated limits of 90&nbsp;dB (A) and that of NESREA's 70&nbsp;dB (A) for an 8-hour working period, varying in [[dry season]] and [[wet season]]s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |author=Chris Onyeka Ekweozor |author2=Johnbosco Emeka Umunnakwe |author3=Leo O Osuji |author4=Vincent C Weli |date=October 2021 |title=Noise Pollution in Onitsha Metropolis: Challenges and Solution |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356643265 |journal=Open Access Research Journal of Engineering and Technology |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=32–40 |doi=10.53022/oarjet.2021.1.2.0110 |doi-access=free |s2cid=244139245 |via=ResearchGate}}</ref> The city's vast [[surface water]], shallow subsurface water, and permeable soils put it at high risk of [[water pollution]].

== Twin towns ==
Onitsha is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Compton, CA|Compton, California]], United States (2010)<ref name=Sistercities>{{cite web |url=http://www.comptonsistercities.org/ |title=Sister Cities of Compton |publisher=comptonsistercities.org |access-date=2013-07-02 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123040049/http://www.comptonsistercities.org/ |archive-date=2016-01-23 }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Indianapolis|Indianapolis, Indiana]], United States (2017)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mejia Lutz|first1=Elena|title=Indy partners with Nigerian city for business, cultural exchange|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/06/26/indy-partners-nigerian-city-business-cultural-exchange/413559001/|access-date=June 26, 2017|work=The Indianapolis Star|date=June 26, 2017}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
The Onitsha people were among the first Igbo to embrace western education,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ubah|first=C. N|date=1980|title=Western Education in Africa : The Igbo Experience, 1900-1960|journal=Comparative Education Review|volume=24|issue=3|pages=371–388|doi=10.1086/446154|jstor=1187793|s2cid=143942714}}</ref> producing notable people like Bishop [[Alphonsus Chukwuma Onyeabo]],  Order of the British Empire, 1879–1954, and the main contributor of the English to Igbo bible,<ref>{{Cite web |title=igbohistory |url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00fwp/igbo/igbohistory.html |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref> Dr. [[Nnamdi Azikiwe]], Owele of Onicha, [[Zik of Africa]], and the first president of the post-independent Nigeria.

* [[Olisa Agbakoba]], lawyer and human rights activist.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CEouAQAAIAAJ&q=Olisa+Agbakoba+Onitsha+-wikipedia|title=The News|date=2008|publisher=Independent Communications Network Limited|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-04-22|title=My father scuttled my ambition to become a soldier — Olisa Agbakoba|url=https://punchng.com/my-father-scuttled-my-ambition-to-become-a-soldier-olisa-agbakoba/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Punch Newspapers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-03-17|title=Behold the 2014 class of Nigeria national conference {{!}} Premium Times Nigeria|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/156894-behold-2014-class-nigeria-national-conference.html|access-date=2021-06-29|language=en-GB}}</ref>
* [[Ukpabi Asika]], Nigerian academic and civil servant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ed Keazor |date=2016-06-29 |title=Celebrating Ajie Anthony Ukpabi Asika CFR @80 |url=https://www.slideshare.net/EdKeazor/ajie-ukpabi-asika-cfr-80th-birthday-tribute-book}}</ref>
* [[Flora Azikiwe]], first wife of Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web |last=InlandTown |date=2021-01-27 |title=Wednesday Woman Personality: Flora Azikiwe. |url=https://www.inlandtown.com/wednesday-woman-personality-flora-azikiwe/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Welcome To InlandTown Online {{!}} Get hot information on Onitsha |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Onyedika Chuke]], [[Art dealer]], [[Curator]], and [[Artist]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Onyedika Chuke: The Forever Museum Archive_Circa 6000BCE |url=https://lmcc.net/lmcc-arts-center-at-governors-island/onyedika-chuke/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=LMCC |date=12 March 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Ben Enwonwu]], painter and sculptor<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ogbechie|first=Sylvester Okwunodu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hT6W3d6fpbAC&q=Ben+Enwonwu+Onitsha+-wikipedia|title=Ben Enwonwu: The Making of an African Modernist|date=2008|publisher=University Rochester Press|isbn=978-1-58046-235-8|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eKRxAAAAMAAJ&q=Ben+Enwonwu+Onitsha+-wikipedia|title=Transafrican Journal of History|date=1986|publisher=East African Publishing House|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-10-08|title=Once unknown Nigerian 'masterpiece' by Ben Enwonwu up for sale|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54463851|access-date=2021-06-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kimeria|first=Ciku|title=How a Texas family discovered they owned a forgotten Ben Enwonwu portrait valued at $200,000|url=https://qz.com/africa/1676266/nigerian-artist-ben-enwonwus-discovered-portrait-worth-200000/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Quartz|date=27 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Obum Gwacham]], American football player
* [[Emmanuel Ifeajuna]], a former army major and high jumper - first Black African to win gold at a major international sports competition<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-07-12|title=Emmanuel Ifeajuna: from Commonwealth Games gold to the firing squad|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/13/commonwealth-games-emmanuel-ifeajuna-nigeria|access-date=2021-06-29|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-09|title=Emmanuel Ifeajuna: A Natural Spring|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/06/emmanuel-ifeajuna-natural-spring/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Alex Iwobi]], professional footballer, [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] forward.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-02-24|title=Arsenal youngster keen to play for Nigeria, father insists|url=https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/alex-iwobi-arsenal-youngster-keen-to-play-for-nigeria-father-insists/zj39tfx|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-07-06|title=Super Eagles tame Lions of Cameroon 3-2 in AFCON 2019|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/07/breaking-afcon-2019-super-eagles-tame-lions-of-cameroon-3-2/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Louis Mbanefo]], lawyer and justice<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-01-05|title=There was once a bench|url=https://guardian.ng/opinion/there-was-once-a-bench/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629091744/https://guardian.ng/opinion/there-was-once-a-bench/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-07|title=Lawyers from childhood's fantasy planet|url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/lawyers-from-childhoods-fantasy-planet/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=The Sun Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Nwagboka]], last Omu of Onitsha.<ref>{{Citation |last=chuku |first=gloria|editor1-first=Emmanuel K |editor1-last=Akyeampong |editor2-first=Henry Louis |editor2-last=Gates |title=Nwagboka |date=2011-01-01 |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001/acref-9780195382075-e-1579 |work=Dictionary of African Biography |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001 |isbn=978-0-19-538207-5 |access-date=2022-03-17|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
* [[Alexander Nwora]], basketball player and coach
* [[Tony Nwoye]], [[Nigerian]] politician.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony Nwoye Archives |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/tag/tony-nwoye/ |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Chike Obi]], mathematician<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TXwuAQAAIAAJ&q=Chike+Obi+Mathematician+Onitsha+-wikipedia|title=Newswatch|date=2008|publisher=Newswatch Communications Limited|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eq8ZAAAAYAAJ&q=Chike+Obi+Mathematician+Onitsha+-wikipedia|title=Who's who in Nigeria|date=1990|publisher=Newswatch|isbn=978-978-2704-12-2|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9EAOAQAAMAAJ&q=Chike+Obi+Mathematician+Onitsha+-wikipedia|title=Africa Who's who|date=1991|publisher=Africa Journal Limited|isbn=978-0-903274-17-3|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-04-21|title=Igbo, Yoruba fight over maths|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/igbo-yoruba-fight-maths/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-07|title=Towards a Peaceful Gubernatorial Election in Anambra, By Chisom J. Omeokachie - Premium Times Opinion|url=https://opinion.premiumtimesng.com/2017/10/07/towards-a-peaceful-gubernatorial-election-in-anambra-by-chisom-j-omeokachie/|access-date=2021-06-29|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Francis Obikwelu]], retired Nigerian-born Portuguese sprinter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Francis OBIKWELU|url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/portugal/francis-obikwelu-14218403 |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=World Athletics}}</ref>
* [[Janet Okala]], Nigerian political leader.<ref>{{Citation |last=chuku |first=gloria|editor1-first=Emmanuel K |editor1-last=Akyeampong |editor2-first=Henry Louis |editor2-last=Gates |title=Okala, Janet |date=2011-01-01 |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001/acref-9780195382075-e-1613 |work=Dictionary of African Biography |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001 |isbn=978-0-19-538207-5 |access-date=2022-03-17|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
* [[Francisca Nneka Okeke]], Nigerian [[physicist]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNN Staff Profile |url=http://www.unn.edu.ng/internals/staff/viewProfile/NTcw |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=www.unn.edu.ng}}</ref>
* [[Henry Onyekuru]], footballer<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-09|title=5 things to know about Super Eagles forward Henry Onyekuru|url=https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/5-things-to-know-about-super-eagles-forward-henry-onyekuru/epfv07g|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Who is Henry Onyekuru? We profile the Nigerian striker wanted by Arsenal|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/10889862/who-is-henry-onyekuru-we-profile-the-nigerian-striker-wanted-by-arsenal|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Sky Sports|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Onyekuru reveals why he chose Everton over PSG|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47960695|access-date=2021-06-29}}</ref>
* [[Chike (singer)|Chike]], singer, songwriter and actor

== See also ==
* [[Onitsha Market Literature]] – literature sold at the main market in the 1950s and 60s
* [[Onitsha (novel)|''Onitsha'']] – a novel by French author [[J. M. G. Le Clézio]]
* [[Ryszard Kapuscinski]] writes of "The Hole of Onitsha" in his book ''[[The Shadow of the Sun]]''.

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}
* [http://www.nigeriannation.com/The-People-and-history-of-Onitsha-m40.aspx The People and history of Onitsha]

=== Further reading ===
* {{cite book |author=Richard N. Henderson |title=The King in Every Man: Evolutionary Trends in Onitsha Ibo Society and Culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MxcBAAAACAAJ |date=June 2004 |publisher=Richard Henderson |isbn=978-0-9740440-0-2}}

{{Igbo topics}}
{{Niger River}}
{{Cities in Nigeria}}
{{World's most populous urban areas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Onitsha| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Anambra State]]
[[Category:Communities on the Niger River]]
[[Category:Cities in Anambra State]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1550]]
[[Category:Cities in Nigeria]]
[[Category:1550 establishments in Africa]]
[[Category:Towns in Igboland]]