Imo State
Imo is a state in Nigeria's South East geopolitical zone.
- Capital
- Owerri
- Population
- 5.9M
- Total area
- 5,140 km²
- LGAs
- 27
- House Reps (total)
- 10
- IGR (2024)
- ₦25.3B
- Capital
- Owerri
- Population
- 5.9M
- 2023 estimate
- Land area
- 5,140 km²
- LGAs
- 27
- Senate seats
- 3
- IGR (2024)
- ₦25.3B
- internally generated revenue
Sub-national administrative units
Local government areas (27)
27 constitutional tier-3 units
Geopolitical synthesis
Imo in the federation
Imo is a state in Nigeria's South East geopolitical zone.
Bordering territories & maritime boundaries
- Land bordersAbia, Anambra, Rivers
Quick facts
- Date created
- 1976
- Known as
- Eastern Heartland
- Population
- ~5,900,000
- Climate classification
- Tropical Wet & Dry / Savanna
- LGAs
- 27
- Distance to Abuja
- 368 km
Languages, stories and places to explore
Languages spoken
Major cities
Owerri · Orlu · Okigwe
What to explore · learn
Imo's nickname reflects its central position within Igboland and its historically dense population.
Imo is home to Oguta Lake, one of Nigeria's largest natural lakes and a popular local tourism site.
Arondizuogu's Ikeji festival celebrates the harvest of the first yams over four Igbo market days (Eke, Orie, Afor and Nkwo), ending with the big masquerades at Nkwo-Achi. The festival is traced to Arochukwu.
annualArondizuoguThe Ahiajoku Lecture is an annual cultural and intellectual lecture series of the Imo State Government, launched in 1979.
annualOwerri
Cultural groups & homelands
Orlu area
10 LGAsIgbo communities of the Orlu area of Imo State, including Nkwerre and Ideato, home of Arondizuogu.
Okigwe area
6 LGAsIgbo communities of northern Imo State around Okigwe.
Mbaise
3 LGAsThe three Mbaise LGAs of Imo State, a densely populated Igbo cultural area.
Oguta and Egbema
2 LGAsIgbo communities of the Oguta Lake area and the Egbema oil belt in south-western Imo State.
Major celebrations
- annualArondizuogu
Metro areas
Owerri Metropolis
Imo State's capital cluster, known locally as the 'Eastern Heartland' and a fast-growing hospitality and events hub.