Introduction to Imo State

Imo State (Igbo: Ȯha Imo) is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by Anambra State, Rivers State to the west and south, and Abia State to the east. It takes its name from the Imo River which flows along the state’s eastern border. The state capital is Owerri and the State’s slogan is the “Eastern Heartland.”
Of the 36 States in Nigeria, Imo is the third smallest in area but is the fourteenth most populous with an estimated population of over 5.4 million as of 2022. Geographically, the state is divided between the Niger Delta swamp forests in the far east and the drier Cross–Niger transition forests in the rest of the state. Other key geographical features are the state’s rivers and lakes with the Awbana, Imo, Orashi, and Otamiri rivers along with the Oguta Lake in western Imo State.

Modern-day Imo State has been inhabited for almost a thousand years by the Igbo people with the Igbo language serving as a lingua franca alongside English throughout the state. In the pre-colonial period, what is now Imo State was a part of medieval Kingdom of Nri and the later Aro Confederacy before the latter was defeated in the early 1900s by British troop then the Anglo-Aro War. After the war, the British incorporated the area into the Southern Nigeria Protectorate which later merged into British Nigeria in 1914; after the merger, Imo became a centre of anti-colonial resistance during the Women’s War.

After independence in 1960, the area of the present-day Imo was a part of the post-independence Eastern Region until 1967 when the region was split and the area became part of the East Central State. Less than two months afterwards, the former Eastern Region attempted to secede in the three-year long Nigerian Civil War with Imo as a part of the secessionist, Igbo nationalist state of Biafra. The area was hard fought over throughout the war with Owerri and its surrounding area exchanging hands twice before Owerri was named the Biafran capital in 1969. The present-day Imo State was captured by federal forces in early 1970 with Operation Tail-Wind taking the city and ending the war.

At the war’s end and the reunification of Nigeria, the East Central State was reformed until 1976 when Imo State was formed by the Murtala Muhammed regime. Fifteen years afterwards, Imo State was divided with eastern Imo being broken off to form the new Abia State.
The state economy is highly dependent on agricultural production, especially the production of palm oil, which a majority of citizens rely on for cooking. A key minor industry is the extraction of crude oil and natural gas, especially in Imo’s north and west. The state has been beset by violence at various points throughout its history, most notably the anti-cult 1996 Otokoto Riots and the ongoing separatist violence from the Eastern Security Network along with other opportunistic nativist gunmen. Despite unrest, with its fast growing population and industrialization, Imo State has the joint-sixth highest Human Development Index in the country.

History

Imo State came into existence in 1976, along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammed, having been previously part of East-Central State. The state is named after the Imo River, which bears the name of a prominent Nigerian family with that family name, who were the chiefs of Imo State before the ratification of a more formal government. Part of it was split off in 1991 as Abia State, and another part became Ebonyi State.

Imo State was created at Ngwoma, and the meetings for the state creation which began after the Nigerian Civil War ended in 1970 were chaired by Eze S. E. Onukogu.

The people of Imo State carried out the Otokoto riots of 1996, which was a statewide protest, in response to the serial kidnappings and murders occurring in Imo at that point in time. One of the most remarkable riots that took place in Imo state, which led to the destruction of properties was the #ENDSARS protest. This protest which started peacefully not only in Imo state, led to riots, and destruction of police stations, and the killing of security personnel.

Geography

Location

Imo State is bordered by Anambra State to the north for 84 km (52 miles), Abia State to the east for about 104 km (partly in the vicinity of the Imo River), and Rivers State to the south and west for about 122 km. The state lies within latitudes 4°45’N and 7°15’N, and longitude 6°50’E and 7°25’E, with an area of around 5,100 sq km.

Natural resources

The state has several natural resources which include, crude oil, natural gas, lead, calcium carbonate, solar and wind power, zinc. Profitable flora including iroko, mahogany, obeche, bamboo, rubber tree, and oil palm. Additionally, white clay, fine sand, and limestone are also found in the state.

Climate

The rainy season begins in April and lasts until October, with annual rainfall varying from 1,500 mm to 2,200 mm (60 to 80 inches).

An average annual temperature above 20 °C (68.0 °F), creates an annual relative humidity of 75%. With humidity reaching 90% in the rainy season. The dry season experiences two months of Harmattan, from late December to late February. The hottest months are between January and March.

With high population density and overfarming, the soil has been degraded and much of the native vegetation has disappeared.

This deforestation has triggered soil erosion, which is compounded by heavy seasonal rainfall that has led to the destruction of houses and roads.

Environmental issues

Soil erosion

Soil erosion is the most common geo-environmental hazard in Imo State, with over 360 erosion sites, out of which 57 are confirmed to be critical and in need of immediate remediation. They are mostly gully erosion found in Ideato, Orlu, Ihitte-uboma, Arondizuogu, Umuomi-ikeduru, and Njaba areas of the state. These gullies are attributed mainly to poor civil engineering works, specifically road/gutter construction as well as sand mining.

During road construction, adequate control of the runoff generated in this process is poorly taken into consideration. There is also no proper termination, spill way, and gabions to lower intense flow to non-erosion velocities during gutter construction. Hence, rainwater overflows from concrete gutters resulting in erosion, especially at the intersection of gutter and road.

Due to gullies, farmlands have been significantly affected, with both farmlands and their road paths lost. There is also a loss of social infrastructures such as electricity and pipe-borne waters. Communities such as Ikeduru, Orlu, Ehime Mbano, Nwangele, Nkwerre, and Mbaitoli dependent on stream and harvested rainwater for domestic use have been impacted due to surface water/stream pollution caused by intense runoffs from the gully sites.

Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), kick-started in the state on November 11, 2014, and the ecological fund are some of the interventions for soil erosion in the State. Communities such as Eziala- Obizi in Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA; Iyiuzo-Ihioma-Ogberuru in Orlu LGA; Umueshi-Amanato in Ideato South LGA; Umuturu -Ezemazu -Urualla in Ideato North LGA; Umunumo Ibeafor in Ehime Mbano LGA; and Umueze Obazu-Mbieri in Mbaitoli LGA are beneficiaries of the NEWMAP project in Imo State.

Flooding

Available research identifies Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema, Ngor Okpala, Owerri West, Owerri North, Aboh Mbaise and Owerri municipal LGAs as very high flood areas; Mbaitolu, Ikeduru, Aboh Mbaise, Onuimo, IhiteUboma, Obowo and Ehime Mbano LGAs as moderate flood hazard areas; and northern of Isiala Mbano, Nwangele, Nkwere, Orlu, Ehime Mbano and Southern part of Ideato North, Okigwe and Ideato South LGAs as low flood hazard areas.

In August 2019, flooding caused by heavy rain submerged about 70 houses, displaced 2000 villagers, and destroyed farmlands in Orsu-Obodo community, in the Oguta local government area. Many residents in the state capital (Owerri) were also displaced in 2017. The Orlu-Umuchima-Obiohia-Akokwa-Uga federal road has been cut off by gully erosion thereby leaving motorists and other road users stranded.

Ideato North and Ideato South have been erosion high-risk areas in recent times in Imo State. Isiala Mbano is also not left out in these frequent flood disaster in Imo State.

Oil and gas exploration

There are over 163 oil wells, at over 12 different locations in the State. The main petroleum companies operating in the State are Addax Petroleum, Chevron Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell, and Agip. Some of the established oil-rich local government councils include: Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru East, Iho, Oru West, Obowo, and Ngor Okpala. In recent times, indigenes of Ohaji/Egbema communities have been protesting about poor basic amenities in their host community despite the presence of oil-producing companies.

Investment opportunities

Many investment opportunities exist in the State including oil and gas exploration, chemical plants, brewery plants, hydroelectric plants, gas-fired power plants, grain mills, starch production, cashews, fruit and vegetable juice concentrate production, integrated multi-oil seed processing plants, ceramics, inland waterway transport, and palm produce industry.
Independent global brewer Heineken, through its subsidiary Nigerian Breweries, has significant investment in Imo State. The company manages the world-class Awo-omamma Brewery, a multiple-line plant.

Many more oil and gas opportunities are yet to be developed. The federal government has been called to inspect newly discovered oil-rich areas, which might help foster economic development and job creation.

Industrial parks and processing zones to harness the huge agricultural produce and minerals would give a major boost to the state’s economic growth and industrialization.
Oguta Lake, Palm Beach Holiday Resort in Awo-omamma , and a host of other tourist sites along the banks of the 26 km-length Njaba River present hotspots for tourism.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the primary occupation, but due to over-farming and high population density, the soil has greatly degraded.This could be as a result of inefficient production techniques, poor resource base, declining soil productivity, predominance of primitive techniques of agricultural production, inadequate supply of credit, low capital investment, use of crude implements to mention but a few.

The Agricultural sector in Imo State needs the intervention of the state government and other huge private companies, this is because having a strong economy based on crude oil, natural gas, and palm oil will not aid the development of the state.

Government

The State has a three-tier administrative structure: State, Local, and Autonomous community levels. The three arms at the state level are the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary. The executive arm is headed by an elected Governor, who is assisted by a deputy governor, commissioner,s and executive advisers. The legislative arm is headed by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly. The current Speaker is Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, and his deputy is Rt. Hon. Amara iwuanyanwu. The remainder of the house is made up of elected legislators, from the 27 LGAs of the State.

At the 10th state house assembly (2023), the current speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly is Hon. Chike Olemgbe. He is a first-time member representing Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area.Also, the Deputy Speaker of the house is Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, who is a member representing the Nwangele constituency.

The judiciary

The judiciary is made up of the high court of justice and the customary court of appeal and is headed by the Chief Judge of the State.

Demographics

The state has over 5.5 million people, and the population density varies from 230 to 1,400 people per square kilometre. Christianity and Odinani are the majority religions, with Odinani becoming more common as citizens are beginning to embrace their religious heritage. In addition to its capital, other notable towns are Orlu, Obowo, Oguta, Awo-Omamma, Mgbidi, Mbaise, Okigwe and Ohaji/Egbema.
Imo State is a predominantly Igbo-speaking state, with Igbo people constituting a majority of the population (around 98%).

Religion in Imo State

Christianity is the predominant religion in Imo State, with a significant presence of both Catholic and Anglican communities.

Catholic Church

The Catholic Church in Imo State operates under the Archdiocese of Owerri, established in 1948, with 162 parishes led by Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji (since 2022). It oversees two suffragan dioceses:

  • Diocese of Okigwe (established in 1981) – 119 parishes, under Bishop Solomon Amanchukwu Amatu (since 2006).
  • Diocese of Orlu (established in 1980) – 189 parishes, under Bishop Augustine Tochukwu Ukwuoma (since 2008).
Anglican Church

The Anglican Church of Nigeria in Imo State falls under the Province of Owerri, led by Archbishop David Onuoha (since 2020), who is also the Bishop of Okigwe South. The province consists of 11 dioceses, including:

  • Okigwe South Diocese (1994) – Bishop David Onuoha (since 2004).
  • Owerri Diocese – Bishop Chukwuma Oparah (since 2018).
  • Orlu Diocese – Bishop Benjamin Chinedum Okeke (since 2019).
  • Mbaise Diocese (1992) – Bishop Chamberlain Chinedu Ogunedo (since 2010).
  • Isi Mbano Diocese – Bishop Godson Udochukwu Ukanwa.
  • Ideato Diocese (1999) – Bishop Henry Okeke (since 2020).
  • Ohaji/Egbema Diocese – Bishop Childi Collins Oparaojiaku (since 2008).
  • On the Lake Diocese – Bishop Chijioke Oti (since 2008).
  • Oru Diocese – Bishop Geoffrey Chukwunenye (since 2008).
  • Okigwe Diocese – Bishop Edward Osuegbu.
  • Ikeduru Diocese – Bishop Emmanuel Maduwike (since 2009).

Christianity remains deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of Imo State, shaping the religious and social landscape of the region.

Politics

The state government is led by a democratically elected governor who works closely with members of the state’s house of assembly. The Capital city of the State is Owerri.

Electoral system

The electoral system of each state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two-thirds of the State Local Government Areas. If no candidate passes this threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of Local Government Areas.

Education

This is a list of the higher institutions located in Imo State:
• Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education
• Federal Polytechnic, Nekede
• Federal University of Technology Owerri
• Hezekiah University, Umudi
• Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo
• Imo State University, Owerri
• Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Ogboko, Ideato

Transport

Federal Highways

• A3 north from Umuahia (Abia State) via Umuokwara to Lokpauku, Abia State.
• A6 northwest from Abia State at Umuika via Owerri to Anambra State.
• F106 east from Owerri via Nguru to A3 at Etiti.

Other major roads include

• the Uli-Aguta Rd north to Uli in Anambra State
• the Ihiala-Orlu Rd to Anambra State,
• the Nnewi-Okigwe Rd via Akokwa and Akwa-Okigwe Rd north to Anambra State,
• Okigwe-Afikpo Rd east to Abia State at Okigwe,
• the Umu-Opara Rd from Umoke to Abia State,
• the Umu-Ohie-Uku-Amala-Ibodo Rd southwest from Okpuala via Eziama and Amala to Olakwo in Rivers State,
• the Owerri-Ahoada Rd southwest to Rivers State,
• the Okwuzi-Aguta Rd south to the Ogura-Omoku Rd in Rivers State.

Conclusion

Imo State, aptly nicknamed the “Eastern Heartland,” is a vibrant and culturally rich state in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone. Known for its lush landscapes, abundant natural resources, and industrious people, Imo State has played a significant role in Nigeria’s history, from its pre-colonial roots in the Kingdom of Nri and Aro Confederacy to its pivotal role during the Nigerian Civil War as part of the secessionist state of Biafra. Today, it stands as a testament to resilience, progress, and the enduring spirit of the Igbo people.

The state’s economy, driven by agriculture, oil and gas exploration, and a growing industrial sector, holds immense potential for growth and development. However, challenges such as soil erosion, flooding, and infrastructural deficits remain pressing issues that require sustained intervention and innovative solutions. Despite these challenges, Imo State continues to make strides in education, governance, and economic diversification, with institutions like the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education serving as beacons of learning and innovation.

Imo State’s rich cultural heritage, exemplified by its festivals, traditional practices, and religious diversity, adds to its unique identity. As the state continues to navigate its path toward sustainable development, its people remain its greatest asset, embodying the resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit that define the Igbo nation. With its strategic location, abundant resources, and dynamic population, Imo State is poised to play an even greater role in Nigeria’s future, solidifying its place as the heartland of the East.