Discover 6 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Onitsha (Nigeria). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Onitsha Market, River Niger Bridge, and Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity. Also, be sure to include Second Niger bridge in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Onitsha (Delta).
Table of Contents
Onitsha Market
Main Market, Onitsha is one of the largest markets in West Africa based on geographical size and volume of goods. It is based in the city of Onitsha, in Onitsha North Local Government Area, the commercial capital of Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. The town is located on the east bank of the Niger River that joined the Anambra River. The building that made up the main market Onitsha was regarded as the largest in Nigeria. That building was destroyed during the Nigeria civil war in 1968 but was rebuilt after the war.
The market is governed by one of the most revered traders associations on the continent, the Onitsha Market Traders Association (OMATA). Most of the major import merchants from Eastern Nigeria have their head offices within the market. The average traders in the area are known to bring in at least six consignments of 40 tonnes (40-feet containers) of goods annually. Some of the major importers do more than 200 consignments of 40 tonnes of goods per year. These include jewelry, clothing, household, industrial, and office equipment.
It is bounded by the River Niger to the West and Fegge through Osumaru Road from the East. The market is secured by the Onitsha Main Market Vigilante Services working under the auspices of the Nigeria Police Force. The market can rightfully be described as the commercial powerhouse of West Africa. It is massively patronized by merchants in the ECOWAS sub-region including Accra, Abidjan, Douala, Niamey, Cotonou, and elsewhere on the continent, to mention a few.
A wide variety is on offer in Onitsha's main market. Despite good security, many pick-pockets and swindlers are active.
Onitsha Market Literature came from here.[1]
Address: Edozie Lane, Main Market, Onitsha
River Niger Bridge
Bridge in Nigeria. The River Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria connects southeastern Nigeria with western Nigeria over the Niger River. It is linked to Asaba in Delta State, Nigeria.[2]
Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity
The Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity is a Roman Catholic cathedral and minor basilica dedicated to the Trinity and located in Onitsha, Nigeria. The basilica is seat of the Archdiocese of Onitsha. It contains the relics of Blessed Cyprian Iwene Tansi, as well as the tombs of Bishop Joseph Shanahan and of the Archbishops Charles Heerey, Stephen Ezeanya and Albert Obiefuna. It is the only basilica in Nigeria.[3]
Address: Awka Rd, Onitsha
Second Niger bridge
The Second Niger bridge is a Nigerian Federal Government project that is 1.6 km long and furnished with other ancillary infrastructure including a 10.3 km highway, Owerri interchange and a toll station all at Obosi city, expected to be completed in the year 2022. The bridge was conceived under the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo but was embarked upon by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The bridge is being constructed across Nigeria's Niger River and it will span from Asaba to Onitsha.
The project is being developed through a public private partnership (PPP) involving Julius Berger.[4]
Asaba
City in Nigeria. Asaba is the capital city of Delta State in southern Nigeria. It is located at the western bank of the Niger River, in the Oshimili South Local Government Area. Asaba had a population of 149,603 as at the 2006 census, and a metropolitan population of over half a million people.
Asaba is well known for social activities due to the presence of large people and social amenities such as hotels, clubs, cinemas, malls, event centre, etc. It holds a yearly program named Delta Yaddah which always host series of gospel singers among others. Due to its large population, crime rate is high. Crimes such as pick pocketing, sideways robbery, etc. is rampart in Asaba. Because of the existence of foreigners in the state, cost of living is high in Asaba. The Onitsha bridge is the boundary between Delta and Anambra state, as the bridge separates Asaba and Onitsha.[5]
Anaku Town
Anaku is one of the administrative divisions of Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. The town lies 6°15' North of the Equator and 6°44' East of the Greenwich Meridian. It is bordered by "Omabala," the native name of the Anambra River, which is a tributary of the River Niger, Aguleri, Ezu River, Omor and Umuerum communities.
The town bears the appellation "Ogbe"; which is derived from its linkage with the Benin Empire (1440–1897) of the defunct Bendel State (now Edo State) and Igala Kingdom of Kogi State in Nigeria, which also explains why Anaku is a land of warriors. Although they are Igbo people and the language is Igbo, dialects of the language can be observed in different parts of the town.
Anaku is the headquarter and seat of Ayamelum Local Government Area. It is easily accessible from Onitsha (about 50 km) and Otuocha Aguleri (about 20 km).[6]