The relationship between Benin and Nigeria is multifaceted, shaped by historical kingdoms, colonial influences, and modern economic realities. While the modern Republic of Benin and Nigeria are distinct nations, their shared history and close proximity have fostered strong ties.
Location of Benin and Nigeria. Source: Wikipedia
The Kingdom of Benin
The Kingdom of Benin, also known as the Empire of Benin, was a traditional kingdom in southern Nigeria with its capital in Edo, now Benin City. It existed independently of the modern Republic of Benin, which was historically known as Dahomey.
By the 1st century BC, the Benin territory was partially agricultural, becoming primarily agricultural by around A.D. 500. Around A.D. 1000, Benin City (formerly Edo) emerged in a defensible forest location. Igodomigodo, the earliest organized polity in the region, coalesced from autonomous communities in the late 1st millennium CE. Around the 13th century CE, Ogiso Owodo was overthrown, and Evian was chosen as the head of state.
In 1440, Oba Ewuare, also known as Ewuare the Great, expanded the borders of the former city-state. He is credited with turning Benin City into a military fortress protected by moats and walls. Ewuare commanded the building of Benin's inner wall, an earthen rampart 11 kilometers (7 mi) long girded by a moat 6 m (20 ft) deep.
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In the early 16th century, Oba Esigie expanded the kingdom eastwards, gaining political strength and ascendancy over much of what is now mid-western Nigeria. Benin ruled over the tribes of the Niger Delta including the Western Igbo Tribes, Ijaw, Itshekiri, Isoko and Urhobo amongst others. The state developed an advanced artistic culture, especially in its artifacts of brass alloy, iron, and ivory.
Benin Bronze Plaque. Source: Wikipedia
European Contact and Trade
Portuguese Arrival
When the Portuguese arrived in Benin, Nigeria, in the 15th century, they quickly started trading brass and copper for pepper, cloth, ivory, and slaves. In the 1490s a Portuguese trader wrote that at Benin copper bracelets were more highly prized than brass ones.
Trade with the Portuguese probably encouraged the growth of brass casting in Benin. Although West Africans invented the smelting of copper and zinc ores and the casting of brass at least as long ago as the 10th century, they did not produce enough metal to supply the casting industry of Benin city, which gave such splendor to the king’s palace.
These were made in the Low Countries (modern Holland), traded throughout West Africa as a kind of currency, and melted down by the brass workers of Benin. The number of manillas in circulation increased dramatically from the 16th century when they became one of the standard trade currencies. Millions were made in Europe, along with brass and copper pots and pans, and imported into Africa for trade.
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Portuguese Soldier. Source: Wikipedia
Guns were new to the people of West Africa when the Portuguese arrived. So, Africans traded them from Europeans and learned to make them for themselves, to help them in their wars against peoples who still only had hand weapons or bows and arrows. Sometimes the king of Benin even employed Portuguese soldiers, like this man, to fight as mercenaries in his wars. The rulers of Benin fought their neighbors for control to the supply of goods which could be traded to the Europeans on the coast.
The king himself was in charge of trading slaves, ivory, and other important goods so that all the profit went to support his court and government. Other merchants could only trade with the king’s permission.
The Decline of the Kingdom
Ruling in the late 16th century, Oba Ehengbuda was the last of the warrior kings; after his reign the empire gradually shrank in size, losing control over territories in the west. The end of his reign saw a rise in the power of prominent officials, and during the following decades many Oba's enjoyed short and turbulent reigns as various branches of the royal family fought for position.
A civil war broke out around 1689, around the time that Oba Ewuakpe ascended to the throne. Ewuakpe's succession, however, was disputed between his two sons Ozuere and Akenzua. Akenzua and his close ally, a traditional chief who bore the title Ezomo, eventually prevailed over the younger Ozuere and his ally, the Iyase Ode in a decisive battle in 1721.
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Benin's economy was thriving in the early to mid 19th century with the development of the trade in palm oil, and the continuation of the trade in textiles, ivory and other resources.
British Colonization
In the late 19th century, the Kingdom of Benin managed to retain its independence and the Oba exercised a monopoly over trade which British merchants in the region found irksome. The territory was coveted by an influential group of investors for its rich natural resources such as palm-oil, and ivory.
After British consul Richard Burton visited Benin in 1862 he wrote of Benin's as a place of "gratuitous barbarity which stinks of death", a narrative which was publicized in Britain and increased support for the territory's colonization. An unidentified West African flag supposedly brought to Britain by Lieutenant (later Admiral) F. W.
The British occupied Benin, which was absorbed into the British Niger Coast Protectorate and eventually into British colonial Nigeria. A general emancipation of slaves followed in the wake of British occupation but Britain also imposed a system of forced labour in Benin and in surrounding areas, as they did throughout other parts of southern Nigeria.
The British launched an additional operation in 1899, called the "Benin Territories Expedition", against rebels still holding out against the British. Oba Ovonramwen died in exile in Calabar, in January 1914. His son Aiguobasinwin was enthroned as Oba on 24 July, taking the regnal name Eweka II. Eweka II's rule marked Benin's transition to a non-sovereign monarchy within first colonial and then independent Nigeria.
What are the Benin Bronzes? - The arts past and present (6/6)
Modern Relations
Benin enjoys stable relations with Nigeria, the main regional power. In fact, Benin is dependent on Nigeria for most of its export. The two nations have had an excellent history of relations in the years since Benin embraced democracy.
The economic relationship between the two countries, both members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is already asymmetric, with Nigeria exerting much more influence on Benin than vice versa. Given Nigeria’s larger population, economy, and natural resource wealth, Benin has adopted a strategy centered on being “entrepôt state,” i.e., serving as a trading hub, importing goods and re-exporting them legally but most often illegally to Nigeria, thus profiting from distortions in Nigeria’s economy.
Nigeria’s heavy dependence on oil and many dysfunctional economic policies have created an environment for ICBT between it and its neighbors, mainly Benin and Togo, to flourish.
Like in other countries, the effects of ICBT for Benin are mixed. For example, ICBT generates about 20 percent of Benin’s GDP. Moreover, gasoline smuggling employs around 40,000 people, about as much as the size of the public sector in Benin, while direct and indirect jobs from used car smuggling are estimated at around 15,000 and 100,000 people, respectively. On the other hand, the longer-term effects on economic growth and diversification can be negative: ICBT attracts entrepreneurial talent into illegal or semi-legal informal activities instead of potentially more productive sectors.
At the same time, while Benin’s combination of formal and informal institutions supporting entrepôt trade are quite sophisticated and effective in their objective of promoting Benin as an informal trade hub, its development policy oriented towards informality and smuggling is unsustainable.
Benin's GDP. Source: Brookings
Key Diplomatic Relations
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization. Values and national interest in reducing poverty and promoting growth are shared between the two nations.
- Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 September 1961 when has been appointed Chargé d'Affaires of Dahomey to Nigeria Mr.
Benin's Modern Diplomatic Ties
To distance the modern state from its colonial past, the country became the People's Republic of Benin in 1975. In recent years Benin has strengthened ties with France, the former colonial power, as well as the United States and the main international lending institutions.
Benin has also adopted a mediating role in the political crises in Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, and Togo and provided a contribution to the United Nations force in Haiti, all of which were indications of the country's growing confidence in the international community.
Below is a table summarizing Benin's diplomatic relations with various countries:
| Country | Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations |
|---|---|
| Algeria | 7 November 1964 |
| Bangladesh | 14 July 2008 |
| People's Republic of China | November 12, 1964 |
| Comoros | 17 May 2018 |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 28 October 1983 |
| Denmark | 15 December 1964 |
| Ethiopia | 7 May 1966 |
| Gabon | 29 October 1969 |
| Germany | 12 August 1960 |
| Guinea | 26 February 1962 |
| Haiti | December 1960 |
| Italy | 30 November 1961 |
| Kenya | 12 March 1982 |
| Mali | 27 August 1965 |
| Pakistan | 10 December 1963 |
| Philippines | 8 August 1997 |
| Rwanda | 21 March 1985 |
| Somalia | 12 March 1982 |
| Tanzania | 25 May 1979 |
| Togo | 5 September 1983 |
| Tunisia | 18 January 1967 |
| Turkey | 29 March 1974 |
| Yemen | 24 February 2014 |
| Zambia | 8 February 1974 |
| Zimbabwe | 19 July 2018 |
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