Edo State is located in the Southern part of Nigeria. The capital of Edo state is Benin City. As of 2014, the estimated population of Benin city is 5 million people. The state is made up of 4 major ethnic groups; which are the Bini, Esan, Owan, and Etsako.
Notwithstanding, the State has a high number of residents from across the country and the world. This is because of its cosmopolitan tendencies. Edo state and its capital, Benin city have international acclaim. Benin City has a history of being one of the first destinations of Europeans during their exploration of the African continent when they arrived many centuries ago. Some of these historical sites have remained tourists’ attractions for the state. The population of the entire state is estimated at 8 million.
List of Local Governments in Edo State
Akoko Edo
Its headquarter is in the town of Igarra. According to the 2006 census, the local government has a population of 262,110.
Egor
Its headquarters are in the town of Uselu. Egor is one of the local government areas that are part of the larger metropolitan area of Benin City. According to the 2006 census, the LGA has a population of 339,899.
Esan Central Local Government Area
The administrative headquarters of Esan Local government Area is in the city of Irrua.
The economic mainstays of the local government are Commerce, Cottage industry, Agriculture, Furniture Making, Wood processing. The area also has tourist centres and attractions which include:
Lake Obiemen
Obiemen Shrine
Ogirrua’s Palace
Ugbalo spring
Natural resources found in this area include: Kaolin , Clay and Timber
Esan North-East
(Uromi/Uzea) is both a town and Local Government Area. The town has an estimated population of 119,346. The economic mainstays of the local government are Commerce, cottage industry, agriculture, furniture making, and wood processing. Tourist centres and attractions include Onojie places. Natural resources found in the area are Rubber, kaolin, and timber. Major agricultural produces in Esan Northeast include Cassava, rice, yams, etc.
Esan South East
Its headquarters are in the town of Ubiaja. According to the 2006 Nigeria census, the LGA has a population of 167,721.
Esan West
Its headquarters are in the town of Ekpoma. Esan West has an estimated population of over 190,000 people. Economic mainstays in the area include Farming, wood processing and the cottage industries. Tourist attractions include the commemorative statue of Professor Ambrose Alli , Ibiekuma River and Onojie Palaces. Natural resources found in Esan West are Limestone and Timber. Major agricultural products are Cocoa, Oil palm, Rubber, Cassava etc.
Etsako Central
Its headquarters are in the town of Fugar. According to the 2006 census, the LGA has a population of 94,575.
Etsako East
Its headquarters is at Agenebode. According to the 2006 census, the local government has a population of 145,996.
Etsako West
Its headquarters are in the town of Auchi. Etsako West is made up of six clans, which are:
- Uzairue
- Auchi
- South Ibie
- Anwain
- Jagbe
- Aviele
The Agbedes of Etsawere are reported to be the original makers of the artifacts that are seen in Benin. It is said that there was a threatened elimination of the Agbedes in Benin, which led to their movement from the Benin Kingdom. According to the 2006 census, the local government has a population of 197,609 at the 2006 census. It also houses the Prestigious Federal Polytechnic.
Igueben
The headquarters of Igueben are in the town of Igueben. According to the 2006 census, Igueben has a population of 69,639. Igueben was established around 1516, during the reign of the Benin monarch. Igueben has a growing economy. The indigenes of the town engage in the trade of manufactured goods such as building materials, clothing, electronics which they buy from other major cities such as Port Harcourt etc.
However, the primary occupation in Igueben is farming. Agricultural produce such as yam, cassava (garri), banana are cross traded with the Northern parts of Nigeria. Foreign export include palm produce, rubber and timber. There are also many celebrations and festivals throughout the year in Igueben town.
Ikpoba Okha
Its headquarters are in the town of Idogbo. According to the 2006 census, the local government has a population of 371,106.
Irrua
Irrua is the administrative seat of the Esan Central local government area.
Oredo
The headquarter of Oredo is in Benin City which is also the capital city of Edo State and the Benin Empire. The palace of the Oba of Benin is also located in Oredo. The local government has many historic palaces and buildings.
Orhionmwon
Its headquarters is in the town of Abudu. According to the 2006 census, Orhionmwon has a population of 206,717. Orhionmwon local government area is also considered one of the biggest local government areas in Benin City. The local government was founded as a result of the creation of the defunct Bendel State. Orhionmwon is blessed with an abundance of rubber plantation as well as mineral resources. It is also surrounded by towns in Delta State (Agbor and Eku).
Ovia North-East
Its headquarters are in the town of Okada. According to the 2006 census, Ovia North-East has a population of 153,849.
Ovia South-West
Its headquarters are in the town of Iguobazuwa. According to the 2006 census, the LGA has a population of 135,356. Ovia South West also has numerous cities and towns.
Owan East
The headquarters is in the town of Afuze. The Owan East Local Government Area comprises 69 towns/villages which also have about eight clans
Owan-East shares borders with Akoko-Edo LGA to its north, Etsako-West LGA to its east, Ekiti State to its west, and Owan-West LGA to its southwest, to its South are Esan Central LGA and Uhunmwonde LGA. Owan East has a population of 154,385 persons.
Owan West
Owan West has its headquarters in the town of Sabongidda Ora. According to the 2006 population census, the area has a population of 97,388.
Uhunmwonde
Its headquarters is in the town of Ehor. According to the 2006 census, the LGA has a population of 120,813