Wow! This is going to be an interesting and educative article as you will be learning about the local government in Imo State.
For some of us that have always aspired to know about places in Imo State or the local governments of Imo State, this will help us out as I am going to be bringing the knowledge closer to you.
As we all know that the country is divided into three major ethnic groups, namely: Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa, with each of these groups with their peculiarity and uniqueness in terms of language, culture, tradition, festivity and many more.
The 36 states in Nigeria features these three ethnic groups with Imo State under the Igbo ethnic group.
In as much as the local government is one of the three tiers of government in Nigeria, it remains an important structure recognized by the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
A local government is a form of public administration which exists as the lowest tier of administration within a given state.
The local government has the authority to determine and execute measures within a restricted area inside and smaller than a whole state.
Therefore, it is an important entity in the country because it is the government administration that is the closest to the people and the easiest to reach by members of the public.
Before I go into the details of the local governments in Imo State, I would like to talk about the existence of Imo State.
Imo State Overview
Imo State is one of the 36 states in Nigeria which came into existence on 3rd February, 1976, created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammed, having been previously part of East Central State.
The state derives its name from the Imo River which flows from the uplands of the state around Okigwe into the Atlantic Ocean.
Imo State is located in the Southeast region of Nigeria with its capital in Owerri which is the largest city in Imo State.
It is located between Anambra State in the North, Rivers State in the South, Akwa-Ibom State in the East and Delta State on the West. Therefore, it is nicknamed “The Eastern Heartland”.
The state is inhabited by the Igbos, a culturally homogeneous group, with Igbo as the language of communication.
In population density, Imo State is recorded to be among the largest states in Nigeria.
The name of Imo State governor is Governor Emeka Ihedioha. The executive governor has assigned a delegate called “Chairman” to each local government present in Imo State.
Imo State Local Government Chairmen are responsible for the public administration and matters that relates to the communities in the grass root level. They also see to the administration of the towns and villages in Imo State.
Must Read: Population of Nigeria by States 2019
Kudos to the Imo State Government and its citizens that have seen to the generation of so much internal revenue in the state and made it to rank among the top 10 richest states in Nigeria. Imo State is also recorded to be the richest in Igboland.
List of 27 Local Government In Imo State and Their Chairmen
There are 27 local government areas in Imo State, below is the list of some of the local governments in Imo State and their chairmen:
1. ABOH-MBAISE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Aboh-Mbaise is a local government in Imo State, Nigeria, with its headquarters in the town of Aboh consisting of districts of Nguru-Nweke, Nguru-Ahiato and others.
The local government is composed of numerous autonomous communities which forms the LGA.
Aboh-Mbaise has rich cultural value. Nguru, in particular, celebrates its Itu aka NguruUbomaahiaise cultural festival every year in February.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Jonathan Onyeneke
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Aboh-Mbaise LGA Secretariat, Aboh, Imo, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 462001.
2. AHIAZU-MBAISE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ahiazu-Mbaise LGA is amongst the existing 27 Local Government councils domiciled in the town of AforOru.
The Local Government Area consists of many prominent towns and landmarks which are under the jurisdiction of the designated Local Government Chairman.
The people of the Ahiazu-Mbaise LGA are known for the rich cultural heritage and also their activities in agricultural trade and farming.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Sam Ahiarakwem
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Ahiazu-Mbaise LGA Secretariat, Afororu, Imo, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 463
3. EHIME-MBANO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ehime-Mbano LGA is a local government in Imo State and also the largest local government area sited in the town of Umuezeala.
The local government falls under Okigwe Senatorial Zone and the aim of the LG council is specifically on grass root development.
The area is noted for its colourful festivals and cultural display during seasons of Mbomuzo, IwaAgwu, Iri-ji, Agba-Agwu and Egwu-Onwa.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Ben Nwaoluka
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Ehime-Mbano LGA Secretariat, Umezeala, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 472
4. EZINIHITTE-MBAISE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ezinihitte-Mbaise is a Local Government in Imo State which has its headquarters situated in the town of Itu.
It consists of respective compositions of autonomous communities, making up the local government area.
Ezinihitte is said to actually exist in the form of duality, that is, a single community that eventually metamorphosed into two.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Getrude Iroeme (Mrs)
- Local Government Address: Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA Secretariat, Itu, Imo State, Nigeria.
5. IDEATO NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ideato North LGA serving as one of the 27 existing Local Government Councils in the state has its administrative headquarters in Urualla town.
The Local Government Area of Ideato North was created from Ideato LGA which was created in the year 1976 and was later divided into Ideato North and Ideato South.
Other towns in this LGA include: Osina, Akpulu, Isiokpo and others.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Ernest Njesi
- Local Government Address: Ideato North LGA Secretariat, Urualla, Imo State, Nigeria.
6. IDEATO SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ideato South Local Government is a local government in Imo State which has its headquarters in the town of Dikenafai and comprises of other districts such as Ntueke, Umuchima and many others.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Ifeanyi Okwara
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Ideato South LGA Secretariat, Dikenafai, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Address: 475
7. IHITTE-UBOMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ihitte-Uboma LGA is another Local Government of Imo State amongst the 27 serving local government councils situated in the town of Isinweke with the districts of Amakoha, Abuke and many others.
It was founded in the year 1989.
The area is best known for its rich farming activities and noted for its production of staple foods for commercial purposes.
It is also best described as the foods basket of the state in view of its location which is within the deep rain forest zone of Imo State.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Maureen Onyekele (Mrs)
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Ihitte-Uboma LGA Secretariat, Isinweke, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 472
- E-mail Address: ihitteuboma@gmail.com
- Contact Address: 09035620064
8. IKEDURU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ikeduru LGA is one of the existing 27 local government councils which is located in the town of Iho.
It was created from Mbaitolu LGA in the year 1989 and other sub-towns and villages
The Local Government Area is situated in the Western part of Imo State and is bordered by Isiala-Mbano LGA, Owerri North LGA, Aboh-Mbaise LGA on the North, South and West respectively whom they share a common culture and markets.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Anslem Opara
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Ikeduru LGA Secretariat, along Iho-Uboakiri Road, Iho, Imo State.
9. ISIALA-MBANO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Isiala-Mbano is a local government in Imo State with its headquarters located in Umuelemai with the district of Umuduru, Osu-Owerre, Asu-Ama and many others.
The area was carved out from the former Mbano Local Government Area during the creation of additional local governments in September, 1989.
The local government is predominantly inhabited by Christians who practice subsistence farming under local government agencies policy.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Ngozi Oguike (Mrs)
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Isiala-Mbano LGA Secretariat, Umuelemai, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 471
10. ISU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Isu local government is another local government in Imo State with its headquarters in the town of Umundugba consisting of the communities and towns.
The name comes from the Isu people, a subgroup of the Igbo people.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Nnamdi Nsoromotu
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Isu LGA Secretariat, Umundugba, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Website: isu.gov.ng
11. MBAITOLU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Mbaitolu is a local government in Imo State which has its headquarters situated in Nworieubi.
Mbaitolu Local Government has a border with Oru LGA, Isu LGA and Njaba LGA, and is made up of 10 towns and numerous villages.
The principal occupations of these communities are farming and crafts such as basket making, broom making, hair weaving and so on.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Ugo Canice Mba
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Mbaitolu LGA Secretariat, Along Owerri-orlu Federal road, Nworieubi, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 461
12. NGOR OKPALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ngor-Okpala local Government Area, being one of the existing 27 serving local Government Council has its headquarters located in the town of Umuneke-Ngor.
Imo Airport officially called Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport is situated in Ngor-Okpala with its busiest junction at Umuowa along Owerri-Aba road.
Ngor-Okpala is said to be one of the fastest developing local government in Imo State. The LGA is blessed with natural and mineral resources which have not been fully tapped.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Charles Abara
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Ngor-Okpala LGA, UmunekeNgor, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 460
Also Read: Top 10 Richest Governors in Nigeria
More Local Government Areas In Imo State
As it is earlier said that there are 27 local governments in Imo State, here are the other local governments listed below:
13. NJABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Njaba LGA is a local government in Imo State amongst the existing 27 local government council in the town of Nnenasa.
The Local Government Area of Njaba was created in the year 1991 from Isu Local Government and got its name from the popular Njaba River.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Obodoshaa Agwubuo
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Njaba LGA Secretariat, Nnenasa, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 474
14. NKWERRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Nkwerre LGA is one of the 27 local governments in Imo State with headquarters in the town of Nkwerre where the name of the local government was derived.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Lawrence Nwadike
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Nkwerre LGA Secretariat, Nkwerre Town, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 471
15. NWANGELE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Nwangele serves as one of the existing 27 local government councils of Imo State domiciled in the town of Amaigbo.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Okey Onyejiaka
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Nwangele LGA Secretariat, Amaigbo, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Posal Code: 471
16. OBOWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Obowo is located in the town of Otoko and functions as one of the LG councils in the State.
The Local government came into existence sequel to the May 1989 creation of Local Governments in Nigeria under the leadership of Ibrahim Babangida.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Jasper Chukwuemeka
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Obowo LGA Secretariat, Otoko, Imo State, Nigeria.
17. OGUTA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
This local government of Imo State is sited in the town of Oguta. It is fondly called by the indigenes as “Oguta-Amesh” or “Ameshi”.
The LGA house of Oguta Lake which is the largest natural lake in Imo State and is one of oil producing towns in the State as well as it host town for many oil companies in Nigeria.
Therefore, it is correct to say Oguta is the “Lake Town of Imo State”.
- Nameof the Local Government Chairman: Hillary Eberendu
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Oguta LGA Secretariat, Oguta, Imo State, Nigeria.
18. OHAJI-EGBEMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ohaji-Egbema is an oil rich local government area in Imo State which has its headquarters in the town of Mmahu-Egbema.
It has an oil rich autonomous communities which formed the local government area an also host some multinational companies like Agip and Shell Oil Exploration Companies.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Damian Ezeruo
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Ohaji-Egbema LGA Secretariat, Mmahu-Egbema, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 464
19. OKIGWE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Okigwe Local Government Area is one of Imo State Local Governments which has its headquarters located in the town of Okigwe.
Okigwe is the third largest city, after Owerri and Orlu, in Imo State, Nigeria.
Okigwe remains one of the breadbaskets of Nigeria with terrace cultivation practice on its hilly farmlands.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Paul Uche
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Okigwe LGA Secretariat, Okigwe Town, Imo State, Nigeria.
20. ONUIMO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Onuimo Local Government Area is one of the serving 27 Local Government Councils in the State with headquarters in the town of Okwe.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Chief Silas Onyeiwu
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Onuimo LGA Secretaiat, Okwe, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 470
21. Orlu Local Government Area
Orlu Local Government Area is one of Imo State Local Governments with its headquarters sited in the town of Orlu.
It is also one of the popular LGAs in Imo State and as well one of the oldest.
It is the second largest city after Owerri, in Southeast Nigeria’s Imo State with an estimated population of 420,000.
The Nigerian headquarters of the British Cheshire Home is in the city.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Aloysius Oluigbo
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Orlu LGA Secretariat, Orlu, Imo State Nigeria.
22. ORSU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Orsu is one of the Local Government Areas in Imo State having its headquarters located in the town of Awo-Idemili.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Herbert Ubah
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Orsu LGA Secretariat, Awo-Idemili, Imo State, Nigeria.
23. ORU EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Oru East is another Local Government Areas in Imo State domiciled at the town of Omuma with the districts of Akatta, Amiri, Ofekatai and many others.
Oru East Local Government is another Local Government Areas in Imo State with oil-rich state communities.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Dympna Mbiamnozie (Mrs)
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Oru East LGA Secretariat, Omuma, Imo State, Nigeria.
24. ORU WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Oru West is one of the local governments of Imo State which its headquarters situated in the town of Mgbidi.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Akunnakwe Kenneth
- Loccal Government Secretariat Address: Oru West LGA Secretariat, Mgbidi, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 474
25. OWERRI MUNICIPAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Owerri Municipal LGA is the most developed council located in the heart of the city of Owerri and consist of the districts of Owerri Urban and New Owerri.
This local government is situated in the capital city which is the administrative seat for designated local government councils.
Owerri Municipal LGA is the trade centre for palm products, corn (maize), yams and cassava (manioc). Also, Imo state university is in this local government.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Ebere Chukwuemeka
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Owerri Municipal LGA Secretariat, Owerri Town, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 460
26. OWERRI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Owerri North Local government is another Imo State Local Government which has its headquarters located in Orie-Uratta town.
The Local Government Area is a semi-urban government area that encircles Owerri Municipal.
The LGA was created in the year 1996 and is being managed under the administration of the incumbent chairman.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Solomon Onwuegbuchulam
- Local Government Secretariat Address:Owerri North LGA Secretariat, OrieUratta, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 460
27. OWERRI WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Owerri West LGA is also one of the local government areas in Imo State with its headquarters in the town of Umuguma.
Owerri West was carved out of the former Owerri Local Government in 1996. A very large portion of the local government constitutes the capital city of Imo State, Nigeria.
- Name of the Local Government Chairman: Innocent Ekenma
- Local Government Secretariat Address: Owerri West LGA Secretariat, Imo State, Nigeria.
- Postal Code: 460
Also Read: List of all local government areas in Oyo state
List of Senatorial Zones In Imo State
There are three senatorial zones in Imo State; they are listed below:
- IMO EAST
Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ikeduru, Mbaitolu, Ngor-Okpala, Owerri Municipal, Owerri North, Owerri West, Owerri Municipal Council Hall.
- IMO WEST
Ideato North, Ideato South, Isu, Njaba, Nkwere, Nwangele, Oguta, Ohaji-Egbema, Orlu, Orsu, Oru West, Oru East, Orlu LGA Council Hall.
- IMO NORTH
Ehime-Mbano, Ihite-Uboma, Isiala-Mbano, Obowo, Okigwe, Onuimo-Okigwe LGA Council Hall.
Concluding Notes On the Local Governments In Imo State
This is quite an interesting session to learn about the local government formation in Imo State.
In the course of this research, I discovered that there is uniformity in language which is Igbo language except for some local government that has a different dialect.
This is sure going to have a great advantage on its growth and development as the state has oil as one of its natural resources.
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