Towns and Villages in Imo State

Imo State, in Nigeria’s South East geopolitical zone, is home to 27 local government areas and a population of 3,927,563 at the 2006 census, projected to 5,459,300 by 2022. Owerri is the state capital and its main commercial center. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.

Local Government Areas in Imo State

The table below lists all 27 official LGAs alphabetically, showing 2006 census figures and 2022 population projections for each. It also shows, for every LGA, how much its population is projected to grow between the 2006 census and the 2022 projection.

Imo State has 27 official LGAs, and 19 of them — covering most of the state’s population — have full town-and-village lists on this site. The eight without a page yet are Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Owerri Municipal, Owerri North, Owerri West, and Unuimo.

Geography

Imo State borders Abia State to the east, Anambra State to the north, Rivers State to the south, and Delta State to the west across the Niger River. The Imo River, which gives the state its name, flows along its eastern edge on its way to the Atlantic. The Njaba and Otamiri rivers cross the interior, and Oguta Lake, in Oguta LGA, is one of the state’s best-known natural sites. Much of the terrain is rolling lowland typical of the South East, rising gently toward low hills near Okigwe in the north. Imo State was created in February 1976 out of the old East Central State; Abia State was carved from its eastern half in 1991, leaving Imo with its present 27 LGAs. Imo is often called the Eastern Heartland, a nickname tied to its central place among the Igbo-speaking states of the South East. Vegetation across the state is mostly rainforest, giving way to derived savanna in a few northern pockets near Okigwe.

Economy & Local Life

Farming drives daily life across most Imo LGAs, with cassava, yam, cocoyam, and oil palm as long-standing staples. Palm oil processing remains a mainstay in towns such as Nkwerre and Isu, and local markets trade cassava products like garri and fufu across the state. Oil and gas activity centers on Ohaji/Egbema in the west, home to some of Imo’s producing wells and flow stations. Owerri, the capital, anchors trade, civil service employment, and a growing services and hospitality sector tied to its role as seat of government. Nkwerre is known nationwide for its blacksmithing tradition, while the Mbaise LGAs — Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, and Ezinihitte — are known for busy market towns and skilled tailoring and trading communities. Owerri is also home to major tertiary institutions, including the Federal University of Technology Owerri and Imo State University, both of which draw students from across the South East. Local government headquarters, banks, and small manufacturing firms provide additional employment across the LGAs.

FAQ

How many local government areas are in Imo State?

Imo State has 27 local government areas, spread across three senatorial zones: Owerri, Orlu, and Okigwe. Nineteen of them have full town-and-village lists on this site.

What is the capital of Imo State?

Owerri is the capital of Imo State. It is also the state’s largest urban center, seat of government, and home to its main markets and tertiary institutions.

What is the population of Imo State?

Imo State had a population of 3,927,563 at the 2006 census. That figure is projected to reach 5,459,300 by 2022, spread across its 27 local government areas.

Which LGA in Imo State has the largest population?

Mbaitoli has the largest population among Imo’s 27 LGAs, with 237,474 people at the 2006 census. Its projected 2022 population is 330,100.

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