Qibla finder / Nigeria
Qibla direction from Port Harcourt, 59.4° east-northeast
From Port Harcourt, face 59.4° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 3,986 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 60.1°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 3,986 km (2,477 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 60.1°
- Magnetic declination
- 0.7° west
- City centre
- 4.8156, 7.0498
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 60.1°. That is 59.4° from true north, adjusted for the 0.7° west magnetic declination in Port Harcourt. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Port Harcourt. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is east-northeast from Port Harcourt
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Port Harcourt that path leaves heading east-northeast, at 59.4° from true north. Flat maps distort this route, so it can look wrong on a map even though it is the true direction.
A compass points to magnetic north, which in Port Harcourt is 0.7° west of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 60.1°, differs from the true bearing.
Someone far from Makkah faces the direction (jihah) of the Kaaba. A small turn to the left or right does not affect the prayer, and a prayer made after a genuine effort stays valid even if you later learn you were slightly off.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- The stronger view is to aim at the Kaaba itself by your best effort, even from far away.
- Maliki, Hanbali
- Facing the direction is enough, as in the Hanafi school.
Qibla from other cities in Nigeria
| City | Qibla | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos | 63.3° | ENE |
| Kano | 68.3° | ENE |
| Abuja | 64.6° | ENE |
| Ibadan | 64.1° | ENE |
| Kaduna | 66.6° | ENE |
| Maiduguri | 65.9° | ENE |
| Sokoto | 70.9° | ENE |
| Ilorin | 65.2° | ENE |
| Katsina | 70.2° | ENE |
| Zaria | 67.3° | ENE |
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar.
Questions
Good to know
What is the qibla direction from Port Harcourt?
The qibla from Port Harcourt is 59.4° from true north, which is east-northeast. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 60.1°.
How far is Port Harcourt from Makkah?
About 3,986 km (2,477 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla east-northeast from Port Harcourt?
The qibla follows the shortest route over the curved Earth to the Kaaba, called a great circle. On a flat map this route looks curved, so the direction can look different from what a map suggests.
How exact do I need to be?
In the Hanafi school, someone far from Makkah faces the general direction of the Kaaba. A small turn to either side does not affect the prayer. Do your best, or follow the direction of your local masjid.