Umueri also called Umuleri, Umueri is a prominent town situated in the southeastern part of Nigeria, within Anambra State. It is predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group and has an estimated population of around 1.5 million people. The ancestors of the community are widely regarded as the earliest settlers in the Omambala River valley.
The establishment of the modern Anambra International Cargo Airport in 2021 significantly boosted local trade and invigorated the town's economy.
##Location and Surroundings
Umueri is nestled in the heart of the Anambra Valley. To the north, it is flanked by the Anambra River and the Anam communities; to the south lies Nteje; to the east are Aguleri and Nando; and to the west, it shares borders with Nsugbe.
##Social and Administrative Structure
Traditionally, Umueri is divided into three major kindreds:
Ezi Umueri
Ikenga Umueri
Ivite Umueri
In pre-colonial times, Umueri practiced a republican form of governance, which eventually evolved into a monarchy.
The town’s current governance framework includes:
The Igwe-in-Council – the monarch and his advisory council
Council of Elders – respected senior members of the community
Umuotu – a traditional group responsible for maintaining order and enforcing communal regulations
Town Union – represented by the Umuleri General Assembly, which oversees civic matters
##Faith and Belief Systems
Before European contact, the people of Umueri followed indigenous spiritual practices, honoring a variety of deities and ancestral spirits. With the spread of Christianity in the region over the last hundred years, it has become the dominant faith.
Today, roughly half of the population identifies as Christian, with Catholicism and Anglicanism being the most practiced denominations. Among the many churches in the area, St. Immanuel Anglican Church, established in 1904, is the oldest and holds historical significance in the community.