Edo State
Edo is a state in Nigeria's South South geopolitical zone.
- Capital
- Benin City
- Population
- 4.9M
- Total area
- 19,629 km²
- LGAs
- 18
- House Reps (total)
- 9
- IGR (2024)
- ₦91.2B
- Capital
- Benin City
- Population
- 4.9M
- 2023 estimate
- Land area
- 19,629 km²
- LGAs
- 18
- Senate seats
- 3
- IGR (2024)
- ₦91.2B
- internally generated revenue
Sub-national administrative units
Local government areas (18)
18 constitutional tier-3 units
Geopolitical synthesis
Edo in the federation
Edo is a state in Nigeria's South South geopolitical zone.
Bordering territories & maritime boundaries
- Land bordersAnambra, Delta, Kogi, Ondo
Quick facts
- Date created
- 1991
- Known as
- Heartbeat of Nigeria
- Population
- ~4,900,000
- Climate classification
- Tropical Wet & Dry / Savanna
- LGAs
- 18
- Distance to Abuja
- 297 km
Languages, stories and places to explore
Languages spoken
Major cities
Benin City · Auchi · Ekpoma
What to explore · learn
Edo's nickname reflects Benin City's historic centrality as one of Africa's oldest and most sophisticated pre-colonial kingdoms.
The Benin Kingdom's royal court produced the famed Benin Bronzes, many looted by British forces in 1897 and now the subject of ongoing international restitution efforts.
Benin's Igue is the annual royal festival of blessing and renewal centred on the Oba's palace.
Dec · annualBenin CityThe Igun Eronmwon is the hereditary guild of royal bronze casters of Benin City.
Benin CityEsan communities are ruled by kings titled Onojie, heading many small kingdoms.
EkpomaThe Otaru of Auchi is the leading traditional ruler among the Etsako (Afemai).
Auchi
Cultural groups & homelands
Edo (Bini) heartland
7 LGAsEdo (Bini) heartland of southern Edo State, home of the Benin Kingdom and its Oba.
Afemai (Etsako, Owan and Akoko-Edo)
6 LGAsThe northern Edo peoples, called Afemai, including Etsako, Owan and Akoko-Edo communities.
Esan
5 LGAsEsan communities of central Edo State, whose rulers bear the title Onojie.
Major celebrations
- Dec · annualBenin City
Cultural institutions
The Igun Eronmwon is the hereditary guild of royal bronze casters of Benin City.
Benin City
Esan communities are ruled by kings titled Onojie, heading many small kingdoms.
Ekpoma
The Otaru of Auchi is the leading traditional ruler among the Etsako (Afemai).
Auchi
Metro areas
Benin City Metropolis
Edo State's capital, historic seat of the centuries-old Benin Kingdom and its Oba, famed for its bronze and ivory court art.