Warri is a city in the southwestern part of the Niger Delta, in Nigeria. It has a long history as a major city for crude oil industry in the country.
Understand
During colonial times, it was the administrative capital of Delta Province.
Warri City is residence to four monarchs namely the Olu of Warri (Itsekiri) Ovie of the Okere-Warri Kingdom (Urhobo) the Ovie of Agbarha-Ame warri Kingdom (Urhobo) and the Pere of Ogbeijaw (Ijaw)
Warri City is a melting pot as it is a multi-ethnic city comprising primarily of Urhobo, Itsekiri & Ijaw ethnic groups. There is large population of several other ethnic nationalities from across Nigeria such as Isoko, Anioma, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba etc.
The unofficial lingua franca of the city is Broken (Pidgin) English which is understood throughout most of Nigeria. Warri is arguably considered the crucible of the language as new vocabularies are fabricated for the rest of the country from the city.
Other major surrounding towns such as Effurun, Ovwian, Aladja, Ekpan etc has since swollen the size via development to become "Greater Warri".
Get in
By plane
Transport by air into the city is through Osubi Airstrip (also known as Warri Airport) which is located in Osubi, a nearby town. There's also the presence of a smaller airstrip located at Ugborikoko, which served as the only airport until a bigger airport was built at Osubi. Arik Air and Aero Contractors are some of the main airlines operating commercial flights on this route while major oil companies like Shell and Chevron use the airport for transportation of their staff to offshore locations.
By bus
Warri has several bus companies like God Is Good Motors, Bob Izua Motors, G. Agofure Motors, Sunny Eru Motors, etc.
By boat
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 which are used for movement from one location to another.
By rail
After decades of construction, a new railway line to between Itakpe and Warri was completed in 2019. Primarily aimed at transporting goods from the steel mills at Ajaokuta to the port of Warri, the limited number of passenger trains on the route does not stop at major cities. One potential useful connection is with Agbor, which lies on the A232, a major east-west highway with plenty of connecting buses.
- 1 Warri railway station.
Get around
Major ways to move around are through public mass transit buses and tricycles (popularly called keke napep). Also, there are jetties for movement around waterways.
See
- Olu Of Warri Palace
- Red Mangrove swamp
- Warri City Stadium
- Word of Life Bible Church Building
- Udu Bridge
- Effurun Garden Park
- Delta Ports
- NNPC, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
- Nana Living History Museum, located in the town of Koko outside Warri. Former Itsekiri chief Nana Olomu's palace has been converted into a museum which chronicles his interactions with the British.
- Falcorp Mangrove Park /Mini Zoo, Ijala, Behind Warri Refinery.
- Warri Township Stadium
Do
- Abraka Golf Course
Buy
Some places of interest:
- Ugbolokoso modern market
- Main Warri Market
- Igbudu Market
- Pessu Market
- Shoprite.
- Gem stone shopping mall
Eat
- Chicken republic
- Fantastic
- Fresh Bite
- 1 Temple Grill, Plot 587 21st Street DDPA Estate Uview, ☏ 234 8180000754. 15:00-00:30 Tu-Fr, 11:00-00:00 Sa, closed Su-M. It is rather chic and swanky. You can have a glass of Hennessy with your meal.
- 2 AJ Fast Food, 214 Airport Road, Edjeba, ☏ 234 8158174234. 08:00-21:00. For a quick bite. Has desserts too.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Jubilee Retreat and Conference Center, 5 Enerhen Rd, Effurun, ☏ 234 7014351311. Big hotel/event center complex run by Catholic church with restaurant serving foofoo and stuff, plus wifi and a/c.
- 2 Bedouin Hotel and Suites, NO. 5 REV J. OLOYE STREET. UGBOLOKPOSO Effurun GRA. fairly modern with orange exterior. Has pool and dining. ₦ 15000.