Nembe is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, southern Nigeria, headquartered at Nembe town in the heart of the Niger Delta oil belt. It sits near coordinates 4°32′22″ N, 6°24′01″ E and covers approximately 760 km². The 2006 census recorded 130,966 residents; the 2022 projection put the figure at 195,000. The postal code is 562102, and the current chairman is Hon. David Alagoa.
Towns and Villages
The list below was checked name by name against the 2015 INEC ward and polling-unit records, the GRID3 settlement layer, and the GeoNames and OpenStreetMap gazetteers.
- Abuja
- Adumama
- Agakabiriyai
- Agbutubu Polo
- Akakumama
- Akariama
- Alagbaefe
- Alagoitereke
- Allagoakiri
- Bassambiri
- Basuokiri
- Biantubu
- Burukiri
- Ebekiri
- Ekperikiri
- Elepa
- Eminiama
- Etiema
- Ewelesua
- Ewokiri
- Fantuo
- Fikoruama
- Golubokiri
- Igabukiri
- Igbeta Ewoama
- Ijaw
- Ijawkiri
- Ikensi
- Iselema Borikiri
- Isoukiri
- Iwoama
- Kalabilema
- Keminini
- Kinkiamabugo
- Kpongbokiri
- Kukukiri
- Mbasikiri
- Mbiakpaba
- Nembe
- Nembe Creek
- Obiama
- Ogbatigbekiri
- Ogbolomabiri
- Oguama
- Okipiri
- Okokokiri
- Okparantaba
- Ologoama
- Oluasiri
- Onibugo
- Onunama
- Oroweiama
- Oruama
- Oruamabiri
- Otatubu
- Sabatoru
- Sangakubu
- Sonikiri
- Sounkiri
- Tengikiri
- Tubopiri
- Walterkiri
Geography
Nembe lies in the freshwater and brackish-water mangrove belt of the central Niger Delta, with extensive creeks, swamps and tidal channels. The terrain is essentially flat at sea level. The Edumanom National Forest, one of Nigeria’s last surviving lowland chimpanzee habitats, lies within the LGA boundaries.
Demographics
The 2006 census recorded 130,966 residents; the 2022 projection put the figure at 195,000. The Nembe-Ijaw are the homogeneous indigenous group, speaking the Nembe variety of Ijaw. English is the official working language, and Christianity predominates alongside traditional Ijaw religious institutions.
Economy and Local Life
Nembe is one of Nigeria’s most important hydrocarbon-producing LGAs. The NLNG Gas Supply Plant at Oluasiri delivers approximately 53% of the feedstock for the Bonny LNG plant. SPDC, Aiteo and other operators run oilfields throughout the LGA. Fishing and small-scale trade remain mainstays for non-oil-sector residents.
Administrative Divisions
Nembe LGA groups seven wards around its headquarters, Nembe town, itself made up of Ogbolomabiri and Bassambiri. The other five wards are Igbeta-Ewoama/Fantuo, Okoroma, Mini, Ikensi and Oluasiri. The historic Nembe Kingdom once spanned a wider area that included today’s Brass LGA. Twon-Brass, Akassa, Okpoama and Liama sit in Brass LGA, not Nembe LGA.
History
Nembe was a major pre-colonial Ijaw kingdom and trading state, ranking alongside Bonny and Calabar in 18th-century Atlantic commerce. The Nembe War of 1895 against British forces is a key chapter in southern Nigerian colonial history. The modern LGA was created in 1991.
Getting There
Nembe is reached by boat from Yenagoa (the state capital) via the Niger Delta creek network, or by road via the Yenagoa–Nembe road completed in 2024. Port Harcourt International Airport is approximately 90 km north-east by road plus boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nembe?
Nembe is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, southern Nigeria, in the central Niger Delta oil belt.
What is the population of Nembe?
The 2006 census recorded 130,966 residents in Nembe LGA. The 2022 projection put the figure at 195,000.
How big is Nembe?
Nembe LGA covers approximately 760 square kilometres of Niger Delta creek, mangrove and tidal channels.
What is the postal code of Nembe?
The Nembe postal code is 562102.
What is Nembe famous for?
Nembe is one of Nigeria’s most important hydrocarbon producers, hosting the NLNG Gas Supply Plant at Oluasiri which delivers about 53% of Bonny LNG feedstock. It is also home to Edumanom National Forest.
How do I get to Nembe?
Nembe is reached by boat from Yenagoa via Niger Delta creeks, or by the Yenagoa–Nembe road completed in 2024. Port Harcourt International Airport is the nearest major airport.
See a wrong or missing town? Report a problem with this list