Edo State

Edo State, located in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone, was created on 27 August 1991 after Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States. Often called the heartbeat of the nation, its capital is Benin City, which ranks as Nigeria’s fourth-largest city and serves as the hub of the country’s rubber industry. The state is the 21st largest in Nigeria by land area and, as of 2024, was the 20th most populous, with an estimated 5,250,000 residents (a projected 4,777,000 in 2021). It shares borders: 133 km with Kogi State to the north, 81 km across the Niger River to the northeast, about 4 km across the Niger with Anambra State to the east, 350 km with Delta State to the southeast and south, and Ondo State to the west.

The territory within Edo’s modern boundaries once hosted several empires and kingdoms, notably the Benin Empire, whose second dynasty arose in the 11th century AD. The ancient city of Edo—now Benin City—contained some of the world’s largest earthworks. In 1897, a British punitive expedition destroyed much of this city and incorporated the area into the Southern Nigeria Protectorate. The region later became the Mid-Western Region in 1963, formed from Benin and Delta provinces of the Western Region, with Benin City as its capital. It was renamed Midwest State in 1967 under a new 12-state structure, then Bendel State in 1976. During the Nigerian Civil War, Biafran forces occupied the area and briefly declared a “Republic of Benin,” which collapsed within a day when Nigerian troops retook Benin City.

Edo State is home to a diverse population, predominantly Edoid peoples, including the Edo (or Bini), Esan, Ora, Akoko-Edo, Owan, Afemai, and Igala, among others. The Edo language, widely spoken in Benin City, is the most common Edoid tongue. Christianity, introduced by Portuguese missionaries in the 15th century, is dominant in Edo South, while Islam prevails in Edo North; traditional religions are also practiced across the state’s three senatorial districts. The population is roughly 5 million, with four major ethnic groups: Edo (Binis), Owan, Esan, and Afemai (Etsako & Akoko Edo). The Edo-speaking people occupy seven of the 18 local government areas and make up 57.54% of the total population, followed by Esan (14.14%), Igala in Esan South East LGA (3%), Etsako (12.19%), Owan (7.43%), Ijaw (6%), and Akoko Edo (5.70%). Other communities include Igarra in Akoko Edo, Itsekiri in Ikpoba-Okha, Ijaw and Urhobo in Ovia North East and South West, and Ika in Igbanke (Orhionmwon LGA). The state’s political organization among the Edo people follows a three-tier age-group system, with age rather than lineage determining authority. Benin City itself is structured by age-grades, wards, and chiefs—both hereditary and non-hereditary—serving the Oba, who embodies divine kingship.

Edo State has a tropical wet and dry (savanna) climate, with an average yearly temperature of 28.78°C (83.8°F)—slightly lower than Nigeria’s average—and receives about 183.49 mm of precipitation annually over 265.91 rainy days (72.85% of the year). Its elevation is 239.16 meters (784.6 ft) above sea level. The state comprises 18 local government areas. The Edo State House of Assembly (Fifth Assembly) has 24 divisions. The judiciary, headed by a Chief Judge, is the third arm of government; on 19 May 2023, former Governor Godwin Obaseki swore in Hon. Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa as Acting Chief Judge after Justice Joe Acha retired. As of 12 November 2024, Monday Okpebholo is the governor, with Dennis Idahosa as deputy.