:Warri

{{Infobox settlement

| settlement_type = City

| image_skyline =

| imagesize =

| image_caption = Warri Port

| nickname = Waffi, Waff, Waff Town

| motto =

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| pushpin_map = Nigeria

| pushpin_label_position = bottom

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Nigeria

| coordinates = {{coord|5|31|N|5|45|E|region:NG|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = Nigeria

| subdivision_type1 = State

| subdivision_type2 = Local Government Area

| subdivision_type4 =

| subdivision_name1 = Delta State

| subdivision_name2 = Warri South LGA

| leader_title = Executive Governor

| leader_name = Sheriff Oborevwori

| leader_title1 =

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| unit_pref = Imperial

| elevation_footnotes =

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| population_total =

| population_as_of = 2016

| population_footnotes = {{cite web | url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/nigeria/cities/?cityid=13459 | title=Nigeria: States & Cities - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information }}

| population_density_km2 =

| population_density_sq_mi =

| population_urban = 363,382

| population_density_urban_km2 = 12,112.73

| population_density_urban_sq_mi =

| population_metro = 1,043,122

| population_density_metro_km2 = 5,215.61

| population_density_metro_sq_mi =

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| demographics_type2 = GDP (PPP, 2015 int. Dollar)

| demographics2_footnotes =

| demographics2_title1 = Year

| demographics2_info1 = 2023

| demographics2_title2 = Total

| demographics2_info2 = $10.9 billion{{cite web|url=https://tellusant.com/repo/tb/tellubase_factsheet_nga.pdf|publisher=Tellusant|title=TelluBase—Nigeria Fact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series)| access-date = 2024-01-11}}

| demographics2_title3 = Per capita

| demographics2_info3 = $11,100

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| footnotes =

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| blank_name =

| blank_info =

| demographics_type1 = Demographics

| demographics1_title1 = Ethnicities

| demographics1_info1 = Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw

| demographics1_title2 = Languages

| demographics1_info2 = Pidgin English, Itsekiri, Urhobo, and

Ijaw

| demographics1_title3 = Religions

| demographics1_info3 = 95% Christianity, 3% African Traditions, 2% Islam

| official_name = Warri

| native_name_lang =

}}

The city of Warri is an oil hub within South-South Nigeria and houses an annex of the Delta State Government House. Warri City is one of the major hubs of the petroleum industry in Nigeria. Warri, Udu, Okpe and Uvwie are the commercial capital of Delta State with a population of over 311,970 people in 2006.{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.population.gov.ng/images/Vol%2003%20Table%20DSx%20LGAPop%20by%20SDistrict-PDF.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924075911/http://www.population.gov.ng/images/Vol%2003%20Table%20DSx%20LGAPop%20by%20SDistrict-PDF.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=5 June 2013}} The city is the indigenous territory of Itsekiri, Urhobo and Ijaw people.

Warri shares boundaries with Uvwie to the east, Udu to the south east, Ogbe-ijoh to the south, and other communities in Warri South LGA to the west.{{Cite web|title=Uvwie · Nigeria|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Uvwie/@5.5644431,5.7788541,10z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x1041ada58d095a6f:0x26f40f634d9553d|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Uvwie · Nigeria|language=en}} Due to its rapid population growth and linked roads, the city and its border towns, e.g. Uvwie, Udu merged into a conurbation collectively referred as "Warri".

Warri sits on the bank of Warri River which joined Forcados River and Escravos River through Jones Creek in the lower Niger Delta Region. The city has a modern seaport, which serves as the cargo transit point between the Niger River and the Atlantic Ocean for import and export.

Warri served as the capital of the colonial Warri Province during the early 1900s when this part of Delta State was under the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria.{{Cite journal|last=Okoh|first=Oghenetoja|date=July 2016|title=WHO CONTROLS WARRI? HOW ETHNICITY BECAME VOLATILE IN THE WESTERN NIGER DELTA (1928–52)*|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-african-history/article/abs/who-controls-warri-how-ethnicity-became-volatile-in-the-western-niger-delta-192852/AF9F401F70B67A02FCFC40E646EEF1B5|journal=The Journal of African History|language=en|volume=57|issue=2|pages=209–230|doi=10.1017/S0021853716000074|s2cid=163543228|issn=0021-8537}}{{Cite web |date=7 April 2017 |title=Warri, Nigeria – International Cities of Peace |url=http://www.internationalcitiesofpeace.org/cities-listing/warri-nigeria/ |access-date=2021-06-25 |language=en-US}}

History

=Etymology=

The name 'WARRI' was first associated with the Itsekiri ancestral capital town of Ode Itsekiri which the locals also refer to as 'Iwerre'. A mispronunciation of Iwerre by several European explorers probably resulted in various names like AWERRI, OUWERI, WARRE, WARREE, etc. The British eventually anglancised it as WARRI.Ryder, A. F. C. "MISSIONARY ACTIVITY IN THE KINGDOM OF WARRI TO THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY." Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria, vol. 2, no. 1, 1960, pp. 1–26. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41970817. Accessed 13 Jan. 2023.

=British Advent pre Warri City=

British colonialism effectively took off in the Western Niger Delta with the proclamation of the Oil Coast Protectorate by Great Britain in June 1885. British colonial administration was carried out through local chiefs like Nana Olomu of Ebrohimi in Benin River. This administration was effectively restricted to Benin River and its environs as the British were content with conducting trade with the people of the hinterlands through the Itsekiri as middlemen.Lloyd, P. C. "The Itsekiri in the Nineteenth Century; An Outline Social History." The Journal of African History, vol. 4, no. 2, 1963, pp. 207–31. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/179535. Accessed 13 Jan. 2023.

=Creation of Warri City=

The British decided to move the seat of the administration of the Niger Coast Protectorate from the capital Ode-Itsekiri (Warri or Iwerre) to the uplands to have effective control of the hinterlands. In order to achieve this, the British in 1906 took a lease of a new trading station opened in 1898 on virgin lands for Alexander Miller Brothers Limited of Liverpool at the mouth of the Okere Creeks. This new trading station was also named WARRI after the capital Ode-Itsekiri so the Itsekiris dubbed Ode-Itsekiri BIG WARRI in order to differentiate Ode-Itsekiri from the new trading station.Jones, G. I. Africa: Journal of the International African Institute, vol. 43, no. 1, 1973, pp. 78–80. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1158548. Accessed 13 Jan. 2023.

Demographics

Its inhabitants are predominantly Christians of different denominations, and some practice a mixture of African traditional religions like most of Southern Nigeria. The city is known nationwide for its unique Pidgin, mostly among the less educated or uneducated.{{Cite web |last=Ikeke |first=Nkem |date=2017-03-12 |title=8 cities in Nigeria where people cannot do without speaking Pidgin English |url=https://www.legit.ng/1092565-8-nigerian-cities-pidgin-english-spoken.html |access-date=2022-02-11 |website=Legit.ng - Nigeria news. |language=en}}

Climate

The area is characterised by a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen Am) with a mean annual temperature of {{cvt|26.7|°C}} and an annual rainfall amount of {{cvt|2770|mm}}. High temperatures are typically between {{convert|28|and|32|°C|°F|1}}. The climate is monsoonal and marked by two distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season lasts from about November to April and is significantly marked by the cool "harmattan" dusty haze from the north-east trade winds. The rainy season spans May to October with a brief drier spell in August, but it frequently rains even in the dry season. The surrounding region is predominantly rainforest, tending to swamplands in some areas. The vegetation is rich in timber trees, palm trees, as well as fruit trees.

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| location = Warri (1991–2020)

| Jan record high C = 37

| Feb record high C = 38.5

| Mar record high C = 37.5

| Apr record high C = 37.6

| May record high C = 36.2

| Jun record high C = 35.1

| Jul record high C = 34.4

| Aug record high C = 33.7

| Sep record high C = 34

| Oct record high C = 36.4

| Nov record high C = 36.5

| Dec record high C = 36.8

| year record high C = 38.5

| Jan high C = 33.3

| Feb high C = 34.2

| Mar high C = 34.1

| Apr high C = 33.4

| May high C = 32.7

| Jun high C = 30.9

| Jul high C = 29.2

| Aug high C = 29.0

| Sep high C = 29.9

| Oct high C = 31.3

| Nov high C = 32.9

| Dec high C = 33.4

| year high C = 32.0

| Jan mean C = 28.2

| Feb mean C = 29.4

| Mar mean C = 29.5

| Apr mean C = 29.0

| May mean C = 28.4

| Jun mean C = 27.3

| Jul mean C = 26.3

| Aug mean C = 26.2

| Sep mean C = 26.6

| Oct mean C = 27.5

| Nov mean C = 28.5

| Dec mean C = 28.4

| year mean C = 27.9

| Jan low C = 23.1

| Feb low C = 24.6

| Mar low C = 24.9

| Apr low C = 24.6

| May low C = 24.1

| Jun low C = 23.6

| Jul low C = 23.4

| Aug low C = 23.3

| Sep low C = 23.4

| Oct low C = 23.6

| Nov low C = 24.1

| Dec low C = 23.5

| year low C = 23.9

| Jan record low C = 15

| Feb record low C = 16

| Mar record low C = 19

| Apr record low C = 19

| May record low C = 19

| Jun record low C = 18

| Jul record low C = 20.6

| Aug record low C = 20

| Sep record low C = 19.4

| Oct record low C = 19

| Nov record low C = 19

| Dec record low C = 17

| year record low C = 15.0

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 27.2

| Feb precipitation mm = 59.9

| Mar precipitation mm = 133.5

| Apr precipitation mm = 214.3

| May precipitation mm = 275.5

| Jun precipitation mm = 343.2

| Jul precipitation mm = 491.4

| Aug precipitation mm = 330.7

| Sep precipitation mm = 432.0

| Oct precipitation mm = 366.8

| Nov precipitation mm = 120.9

| Dec precipitation mm = 28.2

| year precipitation mm = 2823.5

| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 2.2

| Feb precipitation days = 3.7

| Mar precipitation days = 8.9

| Apr precipitation days = 12.0

| May precipitation days = 15.5

| Jun precipitation days = 18.4

| Jul precipitation days = 21.4

| Aug precipitation days = 18.2

| Sep precipitation days = 21.1

| Oct precipitation days = 19.2

| Nov precipitation days = 8.9

| Dec precipitation days = 2.7

| year precipitation days = 152.1

| Jan humidity = 80.3

| Feb humidity = 83.5

| Mar humidity = 87.5

| Apr humidity = 89.5

| May humidity = 90.9

| Jun humidity = 91.4

| Jul humidity = 90.7

| Aug humidity = 89.6

| Sep humidity = 91.2

| Oct humidity = 91.4

| Nov humidity = 88.7

| Dec humidity = 82.4

| year humidity = 88.1

| source = NOAA{{cite web

|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Nigeria/CSV/Warri_65236.csv

|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Warri

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = January 9, 2024}}

}}

Economy and infrastructure

There is the Warri Refinery and Petrochemicals located at Ekpan and Ubeji, Warri proportionately {{cite web | url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/warri-refinerys-host-communities-threaten-chaos-over-sack-of-back-up-staff/amp/ | title=Warri Refinery's host communities threaten chaos over sack of back-up staff | date=8 December 2015 }} with the majority of international and local oil companies operating in Nigeria having their operational offices close by.

One of the nation's major seaports is sited within Ugbuwangue, Warri.

Due to conflict in the late 90s, especially in 1999, most oil companies fled the town and nearby regions.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}{{Cite journal |title=The Economy of Conflict in the Oil Rich Niger Delta Region of Nigeria |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233573551_The_Economy_of_Conflict_in_the_Oil_Rich_Niger_Delta_Region_of_Nigeria |journal=African and Asian Studies}}

= Security =

Warri is garrisoned by the Amphibious Infantry battalion (Effurun Army Base) located in the Effurun area.{{Cite web |title=Home page |url=https://army.mil.ng/?page_id=17 |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=Nigerian Army {{!}} Official Website |language=en-US}}

The Nigerian Navy operates from its facilities in Warri.

The 61 Nigerian Air force Detachment also operates from its facilities in Jeddo, close to Warri.

== Sports ==

Warri has an international stadium with a capacity of 30,000 which is the home of Warri Wolves football club,Warri Wolves F.C.Warri Township Stadium which has hosted two editions of the African Women Football Championship in 2002 and 2006 respectively and was in contention as one of the venues to be used for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria in 2009. The stadium was used to host the African Youth Athletics Championship (AYAC) in 2013.

Warri Wolves, a professional football team based in Warri plays in the Nigeria National League.{{Cite web|last=IV|first=Editorial|date=2022-01-05|title=NNL: Warri Wolves return from break Monday|url=https://www.blueprint.ng/nnl-warri-wolves-return-from-break-monday/|access-date=2022-02-11|website=Blueprint Newspapers Limited|language=en-US}} Their prominent former players include Best Ogedegbe, Wilson Oruma, Efe Ambrose, Victor Ikpeba and Ekigho Ehiosun.

=Manufacturing and raw materials=

The economic base of the city lies in the presence of a refinery and other oil and gas companies.

Also, there is the steel company, Delta Steel Company,{{Cite web|date=2018-02-12|title=How Nigerian government, Indians wreck multi-billion dollar Delta Steel Company, rip off host communities and tax payers|url=https://guardian.ng/features/how-nigerian-government-indians-wreck-multi-billion-dollar-delta-steel-company-rip-off-host-communities-and-tax-payers/|access-date=2022-02-11|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News|language=en-US}} which is located in Ovwian–Aladja area of Udu.{{cite web|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/20-years-collapse-steel-company-resumes-operation/ |title=20 years after collapse, steel company resumes operations |date=5 March 2018|access-date=21 March 2018|publisher=Vanguard (Nigeria)}} The Beta Glass Plant is located nearby, outside the town of Ughelli, where the land is rich in silica and silicates, raw materials required for the manufacture of glass, ceramics and cement.

The Transcorp Power Distribution, one of Nigeria's power generating stations, is also located at Ughelli, which is just 15 minutes away by car.

Transport

=Rail=

In 1991, construction started on a standard gauge railway from the steel mills at Ajaokuta to the port of Warri, about 275 km away. By 2006, the standard gauge lines had reached 329 km in length, the final 27 km Warri section has been completed. In 2010, work recommenced to complete the final section to Warri. The rail line was officially inaugurated in September 2020 with the terminal at Udu.

=Road=

Major road networks within Warri Metropolis has been improved upon by the state government to improve the image of the city. Transportation within the city is mainly by bus and tricycle. The federal government has completed the Warri-Benin Road road expansion project and major parts of the East-West Road Project which will connect Warri-Uyo.

=Air=

There are several helipads in oil company yards, like Shell yard Ogunu and in Escavos and Focados. There is a general passenger airport at the Osubi area.

=Sea=

Movement of goods by sea is through the Nigerian Ports Authority (Delta Ports) at which is mainly for export and import of goods by major companies. Also located on the main Warri riverside are markets and jetties used by local traders, which act as a transit point for local transport and trade. There are local boats that are used for moving from one location to another.

Educational institutions

= Primary schools =

Primary schools in Warri include:

Alderstown School for the Deaf

=Secondary schools=

Secondary schools include:

Dore Numa College, Warri
Hussey College Warri

Religion

Warri is also known for its proliferation of churches,{{cite web|url=https://saharareporters.com/2011/01/10/jesus-holiness|title=Jesus Holiness|last=Egbejumi-David|first=Michael|publisher=Sahara Reporters|access-date=2025-04-12|archive-date=2024-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201003411/https://saharareporters.com/2011/01/10/jesus-holiness|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/warri-roads-where-over-50-churches-battle-for-spaces-members/amp/|title=Warri roads where over 50 churches battle for spaces, members|last=Olagunju|first=David|date=8 September 2019|access-date=12 April 2025|publisher=Nigerian Tribune}} and has several religious figures such as Ayo Oritsejafor of the Word of Life Bible Church, and Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin.{{cite web|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/iginla-teemac-others-eulogise-tb-joshua-at-posthumous-birthday/|title=Iginla, TeeMac, others eulogise TB Joshua at posthumous birthday|last1=Alaka|first1=Gboyega|last2=Ogunlade|first2=Adeola|publisher=The Nation Newspaper|access-date=2025-04-12|archive-date=2023-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613210715/https://thenationonlineng.net/iginla-teemac-others-eulogise-tb-joshua-at-posthumous-birthday/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eventdiarylifestyle.com/2023/06/event-evelyn-joshua-late-tb-joshuas.html?m=1|title=EVENT: EVELYN JOSHUA, THE LATE TB JOSHUA'S WIFE, HOSTED HER HUSBAND'S CLASSIC 60TH POSTHUMOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION (Details Of The Event)|publisher=Event Diary Lifestyle|access-date=2025-04-12|archive-date=2023-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616193201/https://www.eventdiarylifestyle.com/2023/06/event-evelyn-joshua-late-tb-joshuas.html?m=1|url-status=dead}}

Tourism

There are various tourist sites to visit while in Warri:{{Cite web|url=http://www.deltastate.gov.ng/retreathotel.htm |title= hotel and tourism development potentials in delta state |work=goodie ibru| date=2 June 2001 | access-date = 11 January 2008}}

Red Mangrove swamp{{Cn|date=September 2023}}
Falcorp Mangrove Park / Mini Zoo, Ijala, Behind Warri Refinery.{{Cite web|title=Opening hours: Falcorp Mangrove Park - Warri Zoo and Nature Park|url=https://opening-hours.com.ng/0645149/Falcorp_Mangrove_Park_-_Warri_Zoo_and_Nature_Park|access-date=2021-06-25|website=opening-hours.com.ng|language=en-NG}}
Warri Township Stadium{{Cite web|title=Warri Township Stadium - Football Stadium|url=https://www.football-lineups.com/stadium/4819/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=Football-Lineups}}
Shell club, Ogunu{{Cite web|title=Shell Ogunu Golf Club {{!}} All Square Golf|url=https://www.allsquaregolf.com/golf-courses/nigeria/shell-ogunu-golf-club|access-date=2021-06-25|website=www.allsquaregolf.com|language=en}}
Warri Port, Ugbuwangue, Warri {{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

Notable people

Charity Adule, footballer{{Cite web |last=Nigeria |first=Media |date=2018-06-11 |title=Biography Of Charity Ogbenyealu Adule |url=https://www.medianigeria.com/biography-of-charity-ogbenyealu-adule/ |access-date=2021-06-25 |website=Media Nigeria |language=en-US}}
Erigga, musician{{Cite web|date=2020-08-19|title=Wedding Bells: Rapper Erigga Is Getting Married To His Long Time Girlfriend|url=https://guardian.ng/life/wedding-bells-rapper-erigga-is-getting-married-to-his-long-time-girlfriend/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News|language=en-US}}
Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin - Head prophet{{Cite web|date=2019-01-06|title=...Fufeyin foresees manipulation of 2019 polls|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/fufeyin-foresees-manipulation-of-2019-polls/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US}}
Emomotimi Guwor Speaker Delta State House Of Assembly
Nedum Onuoha, footballer{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/619938382 |title=The PFA footballers' who's who 2010-11 |date=2010 |publisher=Mainstream |others=Barry J. Hugman |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0 |location=Edinburgh |oclc=619938382}}
Ayo Oritsejafor, former CAN President{{Cite web|date=2016-11-16|title=Check out former CAN president's security detail [VIDEO]|url=https://www.pulse.ng/communities/religion/pastor-ayo-oritsejafor-check-out-former-can-presidents-security-detail-video/8xblhdp|access-date=2021-06-25|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en}}
Kingsley Otuaro former deputy governor of Delta State
Ozoz Sokoh, food writer{{cite web |title=Ozoz Sokoh |url=https://www.instagram.com/smocontemporaryart/p/BRWnZ_pjZmg/?hl=en |publisher=SMO Contemporary Art}}

References

Category:Local Government Areas in Delta State

Category:Port cities and towns in Nigeria

Category:Cities in Delta State

Category:Cities in Nigeria