Onitsha, Anambra - Postal code - 430001

DESCRIPTION OF ONITSHA

Geography of Onitsha

Onitsha is a local government area that lies at a major east–west crossing point of the Niger River and the area occupies the northernmost point of the river mostly navigable by large vessels. These listed factors have historically made Onitsha local government an important center for trade between the coastal regions and the north, also between eastern and western Nigeria. Onitsha local government possesses one of the very few road bridges that cross the mile-wide Niger River.

History of Onitsha

Onitsha which is also known as (Igbo: Ọ̀nị̀chà Mmílí or just Ọ̀nị̀chà) is a city located on the eastern bank of the Niger River, situated in Anambra State, Nigeria. Onitsha is known for its river port and the area has an economic hub for industry, commerce, and education. The local government area hosts the Onitsha Main Market, which is the largest market in Africa in terms of geographical size and volume of goods.

Onitsha's local government slowly grew to become a vital trading port for the Royal Niger Company in the mid-1850s following the eradication of slavery and the development of the steam engine when the Europeans were able to move into the hinterland.

In the year 1857 British palm oil traders established a permanent station in the city of Onitsha with African bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther (a Yoruba recaptive) and Reverend John Taylor (an Igbo Recaptive) heading the Christian missionaries that join them.

In the year 1965, the Niger River Bridge was built across the Niger River to help in place of the ferry crossing. This also helped to grow trade routes.

Economy of Onitsha

In the year 2012 the state government, through a joint scheme, attracted the SAB Miller to invest in Onitsha Brewery; they started the production in August. This was the first large-scale investment in the city of Onitsha since Premier Breweries, the makers of the Premier Beer started production in Onitsha in the early part of the 1980s.

Onitsha, a metropolitan city is known for its river port and also known as an economic hub for industry, commerce, and education. It is the host of the Onitsha Main Market.