📖 About Port Harcourt

Port Harcourt is Nigeria's oil and gas capital, the largest city in the Niger Delta region. With approximately 3 million residents in the metropolitan area, this industrial hub is the center of Nigeria's petroleum industry and one of Africa's most important energy cities. International oil companies have major operations here.

The city grew from a small colonial port to a major metropolis driven by oil wealth since the 1950s. Despite being one of Nigeria's wealthiest cities economically, it faces challenges including environmental degradation, urban sprawl, and infrastructure strain. The vibrant culture mixes indigenous traditions with cosmopolitan influences. Port Harcourt represents both the promise and problems of African oil wealth.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Port Harcourt's economy is dominated by oil and gas—major international companies (Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron) have operations. Petrochemical, refining, and service industries support the sector. The port handles oil exports. Services, banking, and commerce serve the population. Despite oil wealth, inequality is stark; the formal sector coexists with massive informal economy.

The culture is Nigerian—English is official; Igbo and other languages spoken. Christianity predominates. The Ijaw, Ikwerre, and other ethnic groups have distinct traditions. Music includes highlife, Afrobeats, and local styles. Food features pepper soup, banga soup, and jollof rice. The culture is vibrant, enterprising, and shaped by both traditional values and oil-boom cosmopolitanism.

📜 History

Port Harcourt was founded in 1912 by the British as a port for coal export, named after Colonial Secretary Lewis Harcourt. The railway connected the interior; the city grew modestly as a colonial trading post.

Oil discovery in 1956 at Oloibiri transformed the region. Port Harcourt became Nigeria's oil capital—population exploded, international companies established headquarters. The Nigerian Civil War (1967-70) brought conflict. Environmental and social issues from oil extraction continue. Today Port Harcourt is central to Nigeria's economy—oil wealth, environmental challenges, and dynamic urban growth defining this Niger Delta metropolis.