Why visit Orlu
Townapedia lists 1 park or trail in and around town.
Weather in Orlu
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Orlu
Orlu (Igbo: Ọ̀lụ́) is the second-largest city in Imo State, South East, Nigeria, with a population of 420,600. It has a long history as the headquarters for the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and humanitarian relief agencies during the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War. The city houses the Nigerian headquarters of the British Cheshire Home. It is the second most developed city in Imo state after Owerri.
From the Wikipedia article Orlu, Imo State (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Travel tips from other travellers: Orlu on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Parks, trails and playgrounds1
Churches and places of worship1
Holy Mountain – Universal Centre for the Two Hearts of Love
Church · Roman Catholic · 2.5 km
118A c/o B.S.C. Road, Orlu
Healthcare1
History
Orlu is considered the homeland of the Igbo people in Nigeria. The residents of Orlu are predominantly of Igbo ethnicity and speak the Isuama dialect of the Igbo language. The inhabitants of the region are known as the Orlu people, after the town, and are considered a distinct Igbo group. The name “Orlu” is derived from the Igbo words “Ọ̀lụ̀” (origin/source) and “ụlọ” (homeland), thus referring to a settlement of the ancestors. Major social and political changes took place in the 19th and early 20th centuries as a result of British colonization. Through the activities of missionaries, the ancient odinani religion was largely supplanted by Christianity. Around 1900, the town became an important hub for missionaries and traders.
During the Biafran War in the 1970s, Orlu served as the headquarters for various humanitarian aid organizations. Since Nigeria’s democratization in 1999, there has been an intensified struggle for self-determination among the region’s population. Consequently, there are calls for the Orlu region to secede from Imo and establish its own state. However, the initiative did not receive the support of the National Assembly until 2005, after which it failed due to political disagreements. In 2024, a bill to create the State of Orlu was introduced in the House of Representatives.
From the History section of Orlu, Imo State on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Map of Orlu
3 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Sam Mbakwe International Airport (QOW) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 45 km away.
- Nkwerre 9 km southeast, about 9 min by car
- Uga 16 km north, about 16 min by car
- Orodo 20 km south, about 20 min by car
- Ihiala 21 km west, about 21 min by car
- Igbo-Ukwu 25 km north, about 25 min by car
- Owerri 35 km south, about 35 min by car
- Asaba 56 km northwest, about 56 min by car
- Udi 72 km northeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Aba 85 km southeast, about 1 h 30 min by car
- Enugu 88 km northeast, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Orlu town 2 Imo state Nigeria, Benedict Uchenna, CC BY-SA 4.0
Page built November 3, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.