Rivers State, commonly referred to as Rivers, is one of the thirty-six states in Nigeria, and it has 23 Local Governments. The State is located in the Niger Delta area of Southern Nigeria. Founded in 1967, Rivers was carved from the former Eastern Region, with borders to Abia and Akwa Ibom on the East, Imo and Anambra on the North, and Bayelsa and Delta on the West.
The State’s capital is called Port Harcourt, which is a metropolitan city referred to as the commercial center of the Nigerian oil industry. Rivers State is regarded as the 6th most populous state in Nigeria, with a population count of over 7 million, as per the 2015 census update.
In its 23 local government areas and capitals, the state is home to various ethnic groups, with the majority as Igbo. With such diversity in linguistics, there are about 28 indigenous spoken languages, with the majority as Igbo, Ogoni, and Ijaw languages.
How many Local Government Areas are in Rivers State?
Rivers State has 23 local governments, which are called local government councils, according to Nigeria’s 1999 constitution. Being an oil-producing State in Nigeria, Rivers State is surrounded by many rivers, where crude oil is extracted and channeled for further processing.
Although other agricultural products are found in the state, such as palm oil and many others are also in the state, their major revenue comes from oil and its products. The state has many rivers with oil deposits, where explorations are carried out.
Some of these rivers include the Bonny River, New Calabar River, Nun River, Orashi River, Santa Barbara River, Andoni River, Imo-Ogoni River, Ogu/Onne River, Opobo Channel River, San Bartholomeo River, St Nicholas River, etc. Let’s see the local government areas that make up Rivers State below.
Local Government Areas in Rivers State and their Headquarters
Port Harcourt Local Government Area
Port Harcourt LGA is the capital of Rivers State, and it is headquartered in Port Harcourt City, the state capital. This is undoubtedly the most developed part of Rivers State. It has some of the state’s major towns, including Nkpolu, Diobu, Abuloma, Amadi, Elekahia, Rumukalagbo, Oroworukwo, mgbundukwu district, and many others. Port Harcourt is the fifth most populous city in Nigeria after Kano, Lagos, Ibadan, and Kaduna.
Obio-Akpor Local Government Area
Obio-Akpor LGA is one of the local government areas in the metropolis of Port Harcourt, and it is headquartered in Rumuodumaya. Obio-Akpor is regarded as the richest LGA in Nigeria. It houses some of the major urban districts in the state, including Elelenwo, Choba, Oro Igwe, Ozuoba, Rukpokwu, Rumueme Rumuigbo, Rumuokwuta, Rumuodara, Rumuokoro, Rumuokwu, Rumuomasi, Woji, etc.
Okrika Local Government Area
Okrika is one of the most popular local government areas in Rivers State. It lies on the Okrika Island, found on the north bank of the Bonny River, and has its headquarters in Okrika. The local government has other districts such as Ogoloma, Kallo, Ogan, and Okrika under it. The town indulges in local trades for products such as oil palm produce, fish, plantains, yams, taro, local salt, and cassava. However, refined petroleum products remain its major commodity.
Ogu–Bolo Local Government Area
Ogu Bolo is one of the Local Government Areas in Rivers State, with its headquarters in Ogu town. The town is economically viable with activities such as fishing and peasant farming. However, part of the state also has oil deposits. Ogu-Bolo has different districts, including Ele, Wakana, Ogu, Agwe, Isara, Amuajie, and Bolo, among others.
Eleme Local Government Area
Eleme is among the Local Government Areas in Rivers State, with its headquarters located in Nchia town. The town largely depends on crude oil exports, forestry, fishing, and other agricultural products. Eleme consists of urban and rural districts such as Eja, Onne, Ebubu, Agbeta, Egalor, Agbunchia, etc.
Tai Local Government Area
Tai is among the Local Governments Areas in Rivers State. Created in 1996, it covers an area of about 159 sq. km, with a population of over 117,797, according to the 2006 census. Its headquarters is located in Saakpenwa-Ogoni, and it consists of many districts such as Koroma, Kporghor, Gbam, Horo, Botem, Gio, Kebara, Kpite, Borobara, etc. Their primary occupation is farming and fishing. Although many oil wells pass through the community, it is not a major oil-producing town in Rivers State.
Gokana Local Government Area
Gokana is one of the Local Government Areas in Rivers State, with its headquarters in Kpor. It was created in 1991 and covers an area of 126 sq. km. The Local Government Area comprises several villages and towns, including Bera, Bomu, Deken, Gokana, Bodo, Goi, Kibangba, Gbe, Nwenbiara, Barako, etc. It is one of the oil-producing Local Government Areas in Rivers State, with its oil field located in Bomu.
Khana Local Government Area
Khana LGA is also one of the Local Government Areas in Rivers State. It was founded in 1992 and has its headquarters in Bori. The town covers an area of 560 sq. km and is regarded as the largest Local Government Area in the South East of Rivers State, with 19 wards and a population of about 336,267 as of the 2006 census. The LGA consists of many districts, including Bori, Betem, Banchebone, Khana, Gure, Eken, Gbam Boue, Bie Gwara, Kani, Baghayagbe, etc.
Oyigbo Local Government Area
Oyigbo is one of the Local Government Areas domiciled in Rivers State, with its headquarters in Afam. Created in 1991, the town is about 30 kilometers from the state capital. It consists of many towns and villages, including Azogu, Oyigbo Central, Asa, Umuagbai, Kankom, Oyigbo West, Obete, and Egberu-Ndoki, among others. Oyigbo is notable as one of the oil-producing areas of Rivers State, and oil and gas exploration constitutes their primary occupation.
Opobo–Nkoro Local Government Area
Opobo-Nkoro LGA is one of the Local Government Areas and an Igbo-speaking part of Rivers State. Its headquarters is located in Opobo town, which shares borders with Akwa-Ibom. Some towns and villages that make up the local government include Diepiri, Kalama, Nekoro, and Opobo.
Andoni Local Government Area
Andoni is one of the most popular Local Government Areas in Rivers State. Created in 1991, Adoni has its headquarters in Ngo Town. It is made up of town and villages, such as Asarama, Obolo, Ekede, Gola, Obolo, Ikuru, Ekede, Unyen, Ngo, Ataba, Unyeada, etc. With a population of over 311,500, Andoni covers an area of more than 233 sq. km. It is one of the oil-producing parts of Rivers State. Aside from oil, Andoni is also well-known for several natural resources, including diamond, iron, gold, clay, diamond, etc.
Bonny Local Government Area
Bonny Local Government is an Island in Rivers State, with its headquarters located in Bonny Island town. It consists of several popular towns such as Bartholomy, Agbala, Agalabie, Atakabiri, Adamakiri, Asaramatoru, Akpakpasu, etc. This part of Rivers State produces crude known as Bonny Light Oil. More so, a more significant amount of the oil extracted onshore in Rivers State is piped to Bonny for export. Bonny covers an area of about 645.60 sq. km and has a population of over 214,983.
Degema Local Government Area
This is one of the Local Government Areas in Rivers State, and it was founded in 1967. It has its headquarters in the town of Degema. With an area coverage of 1,011 sq. km, Degema has a population of more than 249,773 as of the 2006 census. Some of the towns and villages that make up Degema include Bukuma, Bille, Obuama, Usokun, Tombia, Bakana, Elem Ama, Degema, etc. They produce palm oil, fish, yams, plantains, and other farm produce.
Asari-Toru Local Government Area
Asari Toru was created out of old Degema in 1989, and it has its headquarters in the town of Buguma. Asari Toru is made of other towns and villages, including Owoko, Ifoko, Apama, Tema, Abalama, Sangama, Ojiama, Buguma, Sama, Agama, minama, Ido, Oporoama, Okpo, Krakrama, Angulama, Omekweama, Omekwetariama, etc. The town has an abundance of oil reserves.
Akuku-Toru Local Government Area
Akuku-Toru LGA has its headquarters in Abonnema and was created in 1990. Some of the towns and districts that make up Akuku-Toru include Abaji, Okolo, Abonoma, Opukiri, Imoama, Dere-ama, Leleama, Angalaobio, Ibiapuama, etc. Akuku-Toru has several oil and gas reserves and a network of pipelines leading to the Soku gas plant and Belema flow station, among others.
Abua–Odual Local Government Area
Abua-Odual is one of the Local Governments in Rivers State. It has its headquarters in Ayama Abua. Some of the towns and districts that make up the local government area include Akani, Agada, Emago, Abua, Emelego, Anyu, etc.
Ahoada West Local Government Area
Ahoada West, also known as Ahuda West, is one of the local government areas in Rivers State. It was created from the old Ahoada Local Government and has its headquarters in Akinima town. Some of the towns and districts that make up Ahoada West include Joinkrava, Ediro, Ubie Igbuguya, Okarki, etc. The Local Government Area is usually a high dense rainforest. They are not among the oil-producing part of Rivers as their primary occupations are hunting, fishing, and farming.
Ahoada East Local Government Area
Ahoada East is adjacent to Ahoada West Local government area, with its headquarters located in Ahoada town or Ehuda. Like Ahoada West, this LGA was also created in 1996. Some of the districts and towns that make up the town include Akoh, Uppata, Ahoada, and Odiabidi.
Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni
Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni has its headquarters in Omoku, and it was created in 1991. With a population of over 258,700, according to the 2006 census, this local government is one of the oil-producing areas of River State. Some of the towns and districts that make up Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government are Ekpe-Aggah, Egita-Akabuta, etc.
Emohua Local Government
Emohua Local Government was created in 1991 and has its headquarters in Emohua town. It covers an area of about 831 sq. km, with a population of more than 201,901 (as per the 2006 census). This Local Government Area is not one of the oil-producing parts of Rivers State. However, their primary occupation ranges from farming to fishing and dredging. Some of the districts that make up Emohua include Obelle, Egbeda, and Ibaa, among others.
Ikwerre Local Government Area
Ikwerre is one of the most popular Local Governments in Rivers State. Its headquarters is located in Isiokpo. Founded in 1991, Ikwerre is among the oil-producing Local Governments in Rivers State, and it houses many multinational oil-producing and serving companies in the State. Districts and towns that make up Ikwerre Local Government Area include Ozuoba, Umuanwa, Omademe, Elele, Ubima, Aluu, Omogwa, Igwuruta, Isiokpo.
Etche Local Government Area
Etche is among the 23 Local Governments in Rivers State and one of the oil-producing communities of Rivers State. With its headquarters located in Okehi, it has many urban districts and towns, including Obite, Igbo, Amaji, Egbeke, Afara, Okehi, Umuechem, Eberi, Umuogba, Okoroagu, Nihi, etc. The Local Government Area is said to have the largest deposit of natural gas, with over 250 oil wells and several flow stations.
Omuma Local Government Area
Omuma Local Government Area was created on October 1, 1996, and it has its headquarters in Eberi. The town has a landmass of about 170 sq. km, with a population of about 100,366, as of the 2006 census. It has crude and natural gas reserves, making it one of the oil-producing Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Some of the urban districts that make up Omuma include Ofeh, Aguluoke, Owu-Ahia, Oyoro, and Obiohia.
Oil Producing Local Government Areas in Rivers State
- Okrika Local Government Area
- Port Harcourt Local Government Area
- Eleme Local Government Area
- Tai Local Government Area
- Gokana Local Government Area
- Abua/Odual Local Government Area
- Andoni Local Government Area
- Bonny Local Government Area
- Degema Local Government Area
- Asari-Toru Local Government Area
- Akuku-Toru Local Government Area
- Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area
- Ikwerre Local Government Area
- Etche Local Government Area
- Omuma Local Government Area
List of the 23 Local Government Areas in Rivers State and their Capitals
Below is a quick recap of the 23 Local Governments in Rivers State and their capital. Note that the Local Governments are arranged in alphabetical order.
| S/N | Local Government Area (LGA) | Headquarters |
| 1 | Abua–Odual | Ayama Abua |
| 2 | Akuku-Toru | Abonnema |
| 3 | Andoni | Ngo |
| 4 | Ahoada East | Ahoada |
| 5 | Ahoada West | Akinima |
| 6 | Asari-Toru | Buguma |
| 7 | Bonny | Bonny Island |
| 8 | Degema | Degema |
| 9 | Eleme | Nchia |
| 10 | Emohua | Emohua |
| 11 | Etche | Okehi |
| 12 | Gokana | Kpor |
| 13 | Ikwerre | Isiokpo |
| 14 | Khana | Bori |
| 15 | Obio-Akpor | Rumuodumaya |
| 16 | Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni | Omoku |
| 17 | Ogu–Bolo | Ogu |
| 18 | Okrika | Okrika |
| 19 | Omuma | Eberi |
| 20 | Opobo–Nkoro | Opobo |
| 21 | Oyigbo | Afam |
| 22 | Port Harcourt | Port Harcourt City |
| 23 | Tai | Saakpenwa-Ogoni |
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