Onitsha

As of 2016, the greater Onitsha area had an estimated population of around eight million people in central and southern Anambra state extending into neighboring Delta state to the west and Imo state to the south. Spread across parts of these three states, the greater Onitsha area is regarded as one of the largest metropolitan areas in Nigeria by both population and landmass. The continuous urban sprawl or conurbation of greater Onitsha spreads across several separate cities and their satellite towns and suburbs including Asaba, Obosi, Ogidi, Oba, Ogbaru, Nnewi, the Anambra State capital Awka down to Orlu in Imo State. As of 2025, Onitsha city proper has an estimated population of 5,628,000.

The indigenous people of Onitsha are Igbo and speak the Igbo language with Onitsha being the largest urban area and commercial hub of the Igboland region of Nigeria, the Igbo people's indigenous homeland. The Onitsha people are referred to as Ndi Onicha in Igbo. English and Nigerian Pidgin English are also widely spoken.