Edo State, Nigeria: A Comprehensive Guide with Local Government Areas

Nov 28, 2025 0

Edo State, located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, is a diverse state predominantly inhabited by the Edoid people.

Map of Edo State, Nigeria

Ranked as the 20th most populous state in Nigeria in 2024, with an estimated population of 5,250,000, Edo State is known as the "Heartbeat of the Nation".

Geography and Climate

Edo State has a Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate with a yearly temperature of 28.78 °C (83.8 °F), which is slightly lower than Nigeria's average.

Local Government Areas

Edo State consists of eighteen (18) local government areas.

The Edo speaking people occupy seven out of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state and constitute 57.54% of the total population.

Demographics and Culture

Edo State is a diverse state that is predominantly inhabited by the Edoid people, including the Edo (or Bini), Esan, Ora, Akoko-Edo, Ijaw Owan and Afemai people and Igala people among others.

The main ethnic groups in Edo State are Édo, Etsako, Esan, Owan, and Akoko Edo. Some of the groups can trace their origin to Benin City, hence their dialects vary with their distance from Benin City.

Others are as follows: Esan (14.14%), Igala in Esan South East LGA 3%, Etsako (12.19%), Owan (7.43%), Ijaw (6%) and Akoko Edo (5.70%). There are also Igarra speaking communities in Akoko Edo, Itsekiri communities in Ikpoba-Okha, and Ijaw Izons and Urhobos in Ovia North East and South West Local Government Areas, especially in the borderlands.

The most common Edoid language spoken is the Edo language, which is commonly spoken in Benin City. The official language of Edo is Bini but most people speak English, because English is the official language of Nigeria.

Christianity is the dominant religion in Edo State. It was first introduced to the region by Portuguese missionaries during the 15th century.

Edo people are loving, very caring and highly hospitable.

History

The Mid-Western Region was a division of Nigeria that came into being in 1963. It was formed in June 1963 from Benin and Delta provinces of the Western Region, and its capital was Benin City.

In 1967 when a new 12-state structure was introduced, the region transmuted into Midwest State, remaining territorially intact.

During the Nigerian Civil War, the Biafran forces invaded the new Mid-Western state, en route to Lagos, in an attempt to force a quick end to the war.

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While under Biafran occupation, the state was declared as the "Republic of Benin" as Nigerian forces were to retake the region.

The republic collapsed a day after the declaration as Nigerian troops overtook Benin City. Edo State was established on 27 August 1991 when Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States.

The Edo people political organization is expressed in a three-tier age group system that cuts across kin groups and make age, rather than line-age affiliation, with criterion of authority.

Benin city itself is organized on the basis of age-grades similar to those of the villages as well as on the basis of wards and chiefs, both hereditary and non-hereditary, serving the Oba in specialised functions.

Transportation

There are several transportation companies that offer services within and outside Edo State. There are several ways to get around in Edo State. There are several buses (white and yellow, white color) around in Edo state, to take you around. All you need to do is to get to the nearest bus station and book a bus journeying to your preferred destination.

There are various car-hailing services in Edo State including Bolt and Uber. You can book a ride on any internet-enabled device and a driver and a car is connected to you who will then come to your present location to pick you up and take you to your desired destination.

Economy and Resources

The state produces crude oil and other mineral resources like limestone and quarry.

Edo State's capital, Benin City, is the fourth largest city in Nigeria and the centre of the country's rubber industry.

Edo state loves the presence of foreigners, because the presence of foreigners make them feel proud of their state.

Government and Politics

The Judiciary is the third arm of Government in the State, vested with the power to interpret the laws and resolve disputes in both civil and criminal matters in the State. The State Judiciary is headed by a Chief Judge.

The Edo State House of Assembly is the legislative body. The electoral system of each state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two -third of the State local government Areas.

English is the official language of the state. The Etsako/Afemai people of Edo state have the highest population of Muslims.

Key Facts at a Glance

Attribute	Details
Location	South-South Nigeria
Capital	Benin City
Population (2024 est.)	5,250,000
Major Ethnic Groups	Edo (Bini), Esan, Etsako, Owan, Akoko Edo
Official Language	English
Dominant Religion	Christianity

Key Facts of Edo State