The government of Edo State serves as the governing authority for
Edo State
Edo, commonly known as Edo State, is a state located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. As of 2006 National population census, the state was ranked as the 24th populated state (3,233,366) in Nigeria, However there was controversy ...
, one of the
36 states within the
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of G ...
. It comprises three branches of government: the executive branch led by the
Governor of Edo State, the legislative branch represented by the
Edo State House of Assembly The Edo State House of Assembly is the unicameral legislative branch of the government of Edo State of Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Rep ...
, and the judicial branch, including the
Judiciary of Edo State and the
Courts of Edo State. The state government operates under the frameworks of the
Constitution of Nigeria
The Constitution of Nigeria is the written supreme law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria has had many constitutions. Its current form was enacted on 29 May 1999 and inaugurated the Fourth Nigerian Republic.
History
Nigeria's st ...
and the
Constitution of Edo State, delineating the powers, duties, and functions of state organs and institutions. It also encourages direct participation from the electorate through mechanisms such as
initiative
In political science, an initiative (also known as a popular initiative or citizens' initiative) is a means by which a petition signed by a certain number of registered voters can force a government to choose either to enact a law or hold a pu ...
,
referendum
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...
, and
ratification
Ratification is a principal's approval of an act of its agent that lacked the authority to bind the principal legally. Ratification defines the international act in which a state indicates its consent to be bound to a treaty if the parties inten ...
.
Established on 27 August 1991, Edo State was carved out of the former
Bendel State
The Mid-Western Region was a division of Nigeria from 1963 to 1991, from 1976 being known as the Bendel state.
It was formed in June 1963 from Benin and Delta provinces of the Western Region, and its capital was Benin City. It was renamed a pro ...
, itself formed in 1976 through the amalgamation of the former
Mid-Western Region and the former
Western Region. The state's capital and largest city is
Benin City
Benin City is the capital and largest city of Edo State, Edo State, Nigeria. It is the fourth-largest city in Nigeria according to the 2006 census, after Lagos, Kano (city), Kano, and Ibadan, with a population estimate of about 3,500,000 as of ...
, historically significant as the seat of the ancient
Benin Empire
The Kingdom of Benin, also known as the Edo Kingdom, or the Benin Empire ( Bini: ') was a kingdom within what is now southern Nigeria. It has no historical relation to the modern republic of Benin, which was known as Dahomey from the 17th c ...
.
Geographically situated in the
South South
The South South (often hyphenated to the South-South) is the one of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria representing both a geographic and political region of the country's eastern coast. It comprises six states – Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross R ...
geopolitical zone, Edo State shares borders with
Kogi State
Kogi State is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria, bordered to the west by the states of Ekiti and Kwara, to the north by the Federal Capital Territory, to the northeast by Nasarawa State, to the northwest by Niger State, to the s ...
to the northeast,
Anambra State
Anambra State is a Nigerian state, located in the southeastern region of the country. The state was created on August 27, 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State ...
to the east,
Delta State to the southeast and south, and
Ondo State
Ondo State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Oǹdó) is a state in southwestern Nigeria. It was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It borders Ekiti State to the north, Kogi State to the northeast, Edo State to the east, Delta State to t ...
to the west.
Covering an area of , the state had a population of 4.8 million as of 2022.
Edo State boasts ethnic diversity, with the
Edo people
The Edo or Benin people are an Edoid ethnic group primarily found in Edo State, Southern part of Nigeria. They speak the Edo language and are the descendants of the founders of the Benin Empire. They are closely related to other ethnic group ...
(or Bini) forming the largest group, followed by the
Esan people
The Esan people ( Esan: ''Ẹ̀bhò Ẹ̀sán'') are an ethnic group of southern Nigeria who speak the Esan language. The Esan are traditionally known to be agriculturalists, trado-medical practitioners, mercenary warriors and hunters. They cul ...
, the
Owan
Owan is an ethnic group in the Northern part of Edo State, Nigeria. They are one of the Edoid peoples.
Owan is currently made up of two Local Government Areas, namely: Owan East and Owan West, including so many clans; notable amongst them are: Ihi ...
people, the
Etsako people
The Anglican Diocese of Etsako was created and inaugurated on the 14th March, 2007 and is one of 13 Dioceses within the Anglican Province of Bendel, itself one of 14 provinces within the Church of Nigeria
The Church of Nigeria is the Anglican c ...
, and other smaller groups. The primary language is
Edo language
Edo (with diacritics, ), colloquially called Bini (Benin), is a language spoken in Edo State, Nigeria. It is the native language of the Edo people and was the primary language of the Benin Empire and its predecessor, Igodomigodo. Distribution
...
, with
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
serving as the official language.
Major religions include
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...
, followed by
Islam
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...
and
traditional religions.
Referred to as the "Heartbeat of the Nation," Edo State earns this title due to its strategic location, cultural heritage, and economic potential.
The state is a producer of commodities such as
rubber
Rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, ''caucho'', or ''caoutchouc'', as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. Thailand, Malaysia, and ...
,
palm oil
Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of the oil palms. The oil is used in food manufacturing, in beauty products, and as biofuel. Palm oil accounted for about 33% of global oils produced from ...
,
cocoa
Cocoa may refer to:
Chocolate
* Chocolate
* ''Theobroma cacao'', the cocoa tree
* Cocoa bean, seed of ''Theobroma cacao''
* Chocolate liquor, or cocoa liquor, pure, liquid chocolate extracted from the cocoa bean, including both cocoa butter and ...
,
cassava
''Manihot esculenta'', common name, commonly called cassava (), manioc, or yuca (among numerous regional names), is a woody shrub of the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, native to South America. Although a perennial plant, cassava is extensively ...
,
yam,
plantain
Plantain may refer to:
Plants and fruits
* Cooking banana, banana cultivars in the genus ''Musa'' whose fruits are generally used in cooking
** True plantains, a group of cultivars of the genus ''Musa''
* ''Plantaginaceae'', a family of flowerin ...
,
banana
A banana is an elongated, edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus ''Musa''. In some countries, bananas used for cooking may be called "plantains", distinguis ...
,
maize
Maize ( ; ''Zea mays'' subsp. ''mays'', from es, maíz after tnq, mahiz), also known as corn (North American and Australian English), is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. Th ...
,
rice
Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima
''Oryza glaberrima'', commonly known as African rice, is one of the two domesticated rice species. It was first domesticated and grown i ...
, and
groundnut
Groundnut may refer to:
* Seeds that ripen underground, of the following plants, all in the Faboideae subfamily of the legumes:
** '' Best Basketball Player'', Obinna Udunni
** '' Arachis villosulicarpa'', a perennial peanut species
** ''Vigna sub ...
. It is also endowed with mineral resources, including
petroleum
Petroleum, also known as crude oil, or simply oil, is a naturally occurring yellowish-black liquid mixture of mainly hydrocarbons, and is found in geological formations. The name ''petroleum'' covers both naturally occurring unprocessed crud ...
,
natural gas
Natural gas (also called fossil gas or simply gas) is a naturally occurring mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons consisting primarily of methane in addition to various smaller amounts of other higher alkanes. Low levels of trace gases like carbo ...
,
limestone
Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms whe ...
,
granite
Granite () is a coarse-grained (phaneritic) intrusive igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. It forms from magma with a high content of silica and alkali metal oxides that slowly cools and solidifies undergro ...
,
clay
Clay is a type of fine-grained natural soil material containing clay minerals (hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, e.g. kaolin, Al2 Si2 O5( OH)4).
Clays develop plasticity when wet, due to a molecular film of water surrounding the clay par ...
, and
gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from la, aurum) and atomic number 79. This makes it one of the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally. It is a bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile met ...
. Edo State features several tourist attractions, including the
Benin City National Museum
The Benin City National Museum is a national museum in Benin City, Nigeria. located in the city centre on King's Square. The museum has a significant number of artifacts related to the Benin Empire such as terracotta, bronze figures and cast iro ...
, the
Oba's Palace, the
Okomu National Park
The Okomu National Park, formerly the Okomu Wildlife Sanctuary, is a forest block within the Okomu Forest Reserve in the Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State in Nigeria.
The park is about north west of Benin City.
The park hol ...
, the
Ososo Tourist Centre, and the
Somorika Somorika (formerly known as Wavo) is a town located about five kilometres North-East of Igarra in the Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria.
Description
The town speaks Okpamheri language, Okpameri Language. The town is divided in ...
Hills.
The state is renowned for its arts and culture, with highlights such as the
Benin bronze sculptures, the
Igue festival Igue festival (also known as King’s Festival) is a celebration with its origin in the Benin Kingdom of Edo State, Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially ...
, the
Edo masquerade festival, and the
Esan dance.
Executive branch
The executive branch, headed by the
Governor of Edo State, operates on the premise of popular election, with the governor serving a four-year term, renewable for a maximum of two terms. The governor assumes the roles of chief executive officer and chief accounting officer of the state, responsible for formulating and implementing state policies, presenting the state budget, making appointments, ensuring public order and security, and coordinating state relations.
The governor also holds powers to assent to or veto bills, grant
pardons
A pardon is a government decision to allow a person to be relieved of some or all of the legal consequences resulting from a criminal conviction. A pardon may be granted before or after conviction for the crime, depending on the laws of the ju ...
, declare a
state of emergency
A state of emergency is a situation in which a government is empowered to be able to put through policies that it would normally not be permitted to do, for the safety and protection of its citizens. A government can declare such a state du ...
, and issue
executive order
In the United States, an executive order is a directive by the president of the United States that manages operations of the federal government. The legal or constitutional basis for executive orders has multiple sources. Article Two of th ...
s and
proclamation
A proclamation (Lat. ''proclamare'', to make public by announcement) is an official declaration issued by a person of authority to make certain announcements known. Proclamations are currently used within the governing framework of some nations ...
s.
Assisting the governor is the
Deputy Governor of Edo State, elected on the same ticket, who performs functions assigned by the governor and acts as governor in the latter's absence, death, resignation, impeachment, or permanent incapacity.
As of the latest elections in 2020,
Godwin Obaseki
Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki (born 1 July 1957) is a Nigerian politician and businessman who is currently the Governor of Edo State. He was first elected governor under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the year 2016 where He de ...
serves as the governor, affiliated with the
People's Democratic Party People's Democratic Party or ''variant thereof'', could refer to:
* People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan
*People's Democratic Party (Belize)
*People's Democratic Party (Bhutan)
*People's Democratic Party (Chile)
* People's Democratic Party (Dom ...
(PDP), with
Philip Shaibu
Philip Shaibu (born 1 December 1969, in Kaduna) an alumnus of University of Jos is a Nigerian politician. He is currently the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Nigeria.
Personal life and education Early childhood
Shaibu was born in Kaduna to a Chri ...
as the deputy governor,
who was later replaced by
Omobayo Godwins in April 2024 after Shaibu was impeached.
The governor is also supported by the
Edo State Executive Council, which is the highest policy-making organ of the state.
The executive council consists of the governor, the deputy governor, and the
commissioners
A commissioner (commonly abbreviated as Comm'r) is, in principle, a member of a commission or an individual who has been given a commission (official charge or authority to do something).
In practice, the title of commissioner has evolved to in ...
appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state legislature.
The commissioners head the various
ministries
Ministry may refer to:
Government
* Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister
* Ministry (government department), a department of a government
Religion
* Christian mi ...
of the state and are responsible for the administration and management of the state affairs in their respective portfolios.
The executive council also includes the
Secretary to the State Government
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) is an official in the state governments of Nigeria's 36 states. The individual who holds the office is usually appointed by the State Governor
A governor is an administrative leader and head of a po ...
, who is the principal administrative officer of the state and the head of the
Edo State Civil Service; the
Chief of Staff to the Governor of Edo State, who is the principal political adviser to the governor and the coordinator of the governor's office; and the
Head of Service of Edo State, who is the chief executive officer of the state civil service and the chairman of the
Edo State Civil Service Commission.
The executive council also has other members, such as the
Attorney General of Edo State, who is the chief law officer of the state and the head of the
Edo State Ministry of Justice; the
Auditor-General of Edo State, who is the chief accounting officer of the state and the head of the
Edo State Audit Service Commission; and the
Accountant-General of Edo State, who is the chief financial officer of the state and the head of the
Edo State Treasury.
The executive branch also includes several
agencies,
boards
Board or Boards may refer to:
Flat surface
* Lumber, or other rigid material, milled or sawn flat
** Plank (wood)
** Cutting board
** Sounding board, of a musical instrument
* Cardboard (paper product)
* Paperboard
* Fiberboard
** Hardboard, a t ...
,
parastatal
A state-owned enterprise (SOE) is a government entity which is established or nationalised by the ''national government'' or ''provincial government'' by an executive order or an act of legislation in order to earn profit for the governmen ...
s, and
corporation
A corporation is an organization—usually a group of people or a company—authorized by the state to act as a single entity (a legal entity recognized by private and public law "born out of statute"; a legal person in legal context) and r ...
s that are established by law or by executive order to perform specific functions or provide specific services for the state.
Some of these agencies are the
Edo State Internal Revenue Service, which is responsible for the assessment and collection of the state taxes and revenues; the
Edo State Waste Management Board, which is responsible for the management and disposal of the state solid and liquid wastes; the
Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission, which is responsible for the development and empowerment of the state communities affected by oil and gas exploration and exploitation; the
Edo State Geographic Information Service, which is responsible for the management and administration of the state land and property;
the
Edo State Investment Promotion Office, which is responsible for the promotion and facilitation of the state investment opportunities and potentials;
and the
Edo State Information Communication Technology Agency, which is responsible for the development and implementation of the state information and communication technology policies and programs.
Legislative branch
The legislative branch of the state government is the
Edo State House of Assembly The Edo State House of Assembly is the unicameral legislative branch of the government of Edo State of Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Rep ...
, which is the unicameral legislature of the state. The house of assembly consists of 24 members, who are elected by popular vote from 24
constituencies
An electoral district, also known as an election district, legislative district, voting district, constituency, riding, ward, division, or (election) precinct is a subdivision of a larger state (a country, administrative region, or other polity ...
of the state for a four-year term and can serve a maximum of three terms. The house of assembly is the law-making organ of the state and has the power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the state;
to approve the state budget and oversee the state expenditure;
to confirm the governor's appointments to confirm the governor's appointments and remove them for misconduct; to impeach the governor or the deputy governor for gross misconduct;
and to exercise oversight functions on the executive and judicial branches.
The house of assembly also has the power to initiate, conduct, or request inquiries or investigations on any matter of public interest; to summon any person to appear before it or its committees to give evidence or produce documents;
and to make resolutions or recommendations on any matter of public interest.
The house of assembly is presided over by the
Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly
Speaker may refer to:
Society and politics
* Speaker (politics), the presiding officer in a legislative assembly
* Public speaker, one who gives a speech or lecture
* A person producing speech: the producer of a given utterance, especially:
** In ...
, who is elected by the members from among themselves and is the principal officer and spokesperson of the house.
The speaker is assisted by the
Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, who is also elected by the members from among themselves and acts as the speaker in the event of the speaker's absence, death, resignation, impeachment, or permanent incapacity.
The speaker and the deputy speaker are also members of the
Edo State House of Assembly Leadership, which is the governing body of the house and consists of other principal officers, such as the
Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, the
Minority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, the
Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly, and the
Clerk of the Edo State House of Assembly. The leadership is responsible for the administration and management of the house affairs, such as the allocation of seats, offices, and facilities; the appointment and supervision of the house staff; the preparation and approval of the house budget; and the regulation and enforcement of the house rules and procedures.
The house of assembly also has several
committee
A committee or commission is a body of one or more persons subordinate to a deliberative assembly. A committee is not itself considered to be a form of assembly. Usually, the assembly sends matters into a committee as a way to explore them more ...
s, which are sub-groups of the house members that are established by the house resolution or by the speaker's directive to perform specific functions or handle specific matters for the house. The committees are classified into two types: the
standing committee
A committee or commission is a body of one or more persons subordinate to a deliberative assembly. A committee is not itself considered to be a form of assembly. Usually, the assembly sends matters into a committee as a way to explore them more ...
s, which are permanent and deal with the general subjects or issues of the house, such as the
Public Accounts Committee of the Edo State House of Assembly, the
Appropriation Committee of the Edo State House of Assembly, and the
Rules and Business Committee of the Edo State House of Assembly; and the
ad hoc committee
A committee or commission is a body of one or more persons subordinate to a deliberative assembly. A committee is not itself considered to be a form of assembly. Usually, the assembly sends matters into a committee as a way to explore them more ...
s, which are temporary and deal with the specific subjects or issues of the house, such as the
Committee of the Whole House of the Edo State House of Assembly, the
Select Committee of the Edo State House of Assembly, and the
Conference Committee of the Edo State House of Assembly. The committees are headed by the
Chairperson of the Edo State House of Assembly Committee, who is appointed by the speaker or elected by the committee members from among themselves and is responsible for the coordination and supervision of the committee activities, such as the conduct of hearings, investigations, or deliberations; the preparation and presentation of reports or bills; and the liaison with the other branches or organs of the state government.
The current speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly is
Blessing Agbebaku, who was elected in 2023 and represents the
Owan West
Owan West is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarter is in the town of Sabongidda Ora.
It has an area of 732 km and a population of 97,388 at the 2006 census.
The postal code of the area is 313.
Wedding customs
Wed ...
constituency on the platform of the PDP.
The current deputy speaker is
Maria Edeko, who was also elected in 2023 and represents the
Esan North-East II Esan or ESAN may refer to:
Dayo ighodalo
Nigeria
* Esan people, an ethnic group of southern Nigeria
* Esan language, an Edoid language spoken by the Esan people
* Esanland, a cultural region and senatorial district of Nigeria, where the Esan people ...
constituency on the platform of the PDP.
Judicial branch
The judicial branch of the state government is the
Judiciary of Edo State, which is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislative branches and is subject to the
Constitution of Nigeria
The Constitution of Nigeria is the written supreme law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria has had many constitutions. Its current form was enacted on 29 May 1999 and inaugurated the Fourth Nigerian Republic.
History
Nigeria's st ...
, the
Constitution of Edo State, the
Laws of Edo State, and the
Common law
In law, common law (also known as judicial precedent, judge-made law, or case law) is the body of law created by judges and similar quasi-judicial tribunals by virtue of being stated in written opinions."The common law is not a brooding omnipresen ...
. The judiciary is composed of the
Courts of Edo State, which are classified into two types: the
Superior courts of record of Edo State, which are the higher courts that have jurisdiction over the major civil and criminal cases and appeals; and the
Inferior courts of record of Edo State, which are the lower courts that have jurisdiction over the minor civil and criminal cases and appeals.
The highest court of the state is the
Edo State High Court, which is the superior court of record that has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters arising from the state laws or the common law. The high court also has appellate jurisdiction over the decisions of the inferior courts of record and the
Customary courts of Edo State, which are the courts that apply the
customary law
A legal custom is the established pattern of behavior that can be objectively verified within a particular social setting. A claim can be carried out in defense of "what has always been done and accepted by law".
Customary law (also, consuetudina ...
of the state. The high court consists of the
Chief Judge of Edo State, who is the head of the state judiciary and the presiding judge of the high court; and other
judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a panel of judges. A judge hears all the witnesses and any other evidence presented by the barristers or solicitors of the case, assesses the credibility an ...
s of the high court, who are appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the
National Judicial Council and confirmed by the state legislature. The high court is divided into several
judicial divisions, which are the geographical areas of the state where the high court sits and exercises its jurisdiction. The current chief judge of Edo State is
Daniel Okungbowa, who was appointed in 2023.
The inferior courts of record of the state are the
Edo State Magistrates' Courts, which are the courts that have jurisdiction over the summary civil and criminal cases and appeals; and the
Edo State District Courts, which are the courts that have jurisdiction over the minor civil and criminal cases and appeals.
The magistrates' courts and the district courts consist of the
magistrates
The term magistrate is used in a variety of systems of governments and laws to refer to a civilian officer who administers the law. In ancient Rome, a '' magistratus'' was one of the highest ranking government officers, and possessed both judici ...
and the
district judges, respectively, who are the judicial officers of the courts and are appointed by the governor on the advice of the state judicial service commission.
The judiciary also has several
judicial service commissions, which are the bodies that are responsible for the administration and management of the judicial affairs of the state, such as the appointment, promotion, discipline, and removal of the judicial officers and staff; the formulation and implementation of the judicial policies and programs; the preparation and approval of the judicial budget; and the regulation and enforcement of the judicial rules and procedures.
The judicial service commissions are the
Edo State Judicial Service Commission, which is the commission that oversees the affairs of the high court, the magistrates' courts, and the district courts; the
Edo State Sharia Judicial Service Commission, which is the commission that oversees the affairs of the sharia court of appeal and the sharia courts; and the
Edo State Customary Judicial Service Commission, which is the commission that oversees the affairs of the customary court of appeal and the customary courts. The judicial service commissions consist of the chief judge, the grand kadi, or the president of the customary court of appeal, respectively, who are the chairpersons of the commissions; and other members, who are appointed by the governor or elected by the judicial officers from among themselves.
Budget
The budget of Edo State represents the annual financial plan outlining the anticipated revenue and expenditure for the fiscal year. Crafted by the executive branch, led by the governor, it undergoes scrutiny and approval by the legislative branch, embodied by the Edo State House of Assembly. The budget aligns with the state's economic and developmental priorities, incorporating projections of income from diverse sources, including taxes, fees, grants, loans, and oil revenue.
For the 2023 fiscal year, the budget of Edo State stands at N320.35 billion, marking a substantial 69.37 per cent increase from the N222 billion allocated in 2022.
Governor
Godwin Obaseki
Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki (born 1 July 1957) is a Nigerian politician and businessman who is currently the Governor of Edo State. He was first elected governor under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the year 2016 where He de ...
presented this budget, themed "Making Edo Great Again," to the Edo State House of Assembly on November 17, 2022. The budget's core objective is to consolidate the achievements of the governor's first term and fulfill campaign promises centered on enhancing the welfare and well-being of the people of Edo State.
Capital city
Benin City
Benin City is the capital and largest city of Edo State, Edo State, Nigeria. It is the fourth-largest city in Nigeria according to the 2006 census, after Lagos, Kano (city), Kano, and Ibadan, with a population estimate of about 3,500,000 as of ...
, the capital of Edo State, stands as the largest and most populous urban center within the state.
Nestled in the south-central region along the
Benin River
The Benin River is a river that flows through the south west of Nigeria.
The river starts under the name " Ethiope" in the south east of the state Edo. Subsequently, it runs through various cities and villages, such as Umutu, Owah Abbi, Obiar ...
, the city spans an area of .
According to the 2006 census, Benin City boasted a population of 1,050,000, with an estimated urban population reaching 1,495,000 by 2016. Ranking as the fourth-largest city in Nigeria, it follows Lagos, Kano, and Ibadan.
Benin City holds significance as the historical and cultural nucleus of both
Edo State
Edo, commonly known as Edo State, is a state located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. As of 2006 National population census, the state was ranked as the 24th populated state (3,233,366) in Nigeria, However there was controversy ...
and Nigeria. Serving as the epicenter of the ancient Benin Empire, which thrived from the 13th to the 19th century, the city gained acclaim for its collection of artistic treasures, including bronze sculptures, ivory carvings, and terracotta artworks collectively known as the
Benin Bronzes
The Benin Bronzes are a group of several thousand metal plaques and sculptures that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, in what is now Edo State, Nigeria. Collectively, the objects form the best examples of Benin art and were cre ...
.
The renowned Oba's Palace, residence of the
Oba of Benin
The Oba of Benin is the traditional ruler and the custodian of the culture of the Edo people and all Edoid people. The then Kingdom of Benin (not to be confused with the modern-day and unrelated Republic of Benin, which was then known as Dah ...
, the traditional ruler and spiritual leader of the
Edo people
The Edo or Benin people are an Edoid ethnic group primarily found in Edo State, Southern part of Nigeria. They speak the Edo language and are the descendants of the founders of the Benin Empire. They are closely related to other ethnic group ...
, graces the city. Adorned with bronze plaques illustrating the history and culture of the
Benin Empire
The Kingdom of Benin, also known as the Edo Kingdom, or the Benin Empire ( Bini: ') was a kingdom within what is now southern Nigeria. It has no historical relation to the modern republic of Benin, which was known as Dahomey from the 17th c ...
, the palace is a cultural landmark. Additionally, Benin City hosts various festivals and ceremonies, such as the
Igue Festival Igue festival (also known as King’s Festival) is a celebration with its origin in the Benin Kingdom of Edo State, Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially ...
, the Edo Masquerade Festival, and the Coronation of the Oba.
Beyond its cultural heritage, Benin City serves as the economic and administrative nucleus of Edo State and Nigeria. It plays a pivotal role in the nation's rubber industry and serves as a major producer of palm oil, cocoa, cassava, yam, plantain, banana, maize, rice, and groundnut. Abundant in mineral resources, including petroleum, natural gas, limestone, granite, clay, and gold, the city boasts industrial and commercial zones such as the Benin Industrial Estate, Benin City Textile Mill, Benin City Rubber Factory, and Benin City Oil Mill. Furthermore, it hosts financial and service institutions, encompassing banks, insurance companies, hotels, restaurants, and markets.
Benin City stands as a prominent educational and scientific hub within Edo State and Nigeria. Home to the
University of Benin, established in 1970 and recognised as one of the country's leading universities.
The city also has several other tertiary institutions, such as the
Ambrose Alli University
Ambrose Alli University (AAU) is a state-owned university in Edo State, Nigeria. It was established in 1981 by the governor of Bendel State (now Edo and Delta States), Ambrose Folorunsho Alli. Initially known as Bendel State University, sub ...
, the
Benson Idahosa University
Benson Idahosa University (BIU) is a private, Christian university in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Previously named Christian Faith University (CFU), it was renamed in honor of Archbishop Benson Idahosa, a Charismatic Pentecostal minister ...
, the
Edo State Polytechnic, the
Edo State College of Education, and the
Edo State School of Nursing and Midwifery. The city also has several research and development centers, such as the
Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, the
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, the
National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, and the
Edo State Agricultural Development Programme.
Benin City is the transportation and communication hub of Edo State and Nigeria, as it is connected by road, rail, air, and water to other parts of the state, the country, and the world. The city has several road networks, such as the
Benin-Lagos Expressway, the
Benin-Asaba Expressway, the
Benin-Auchi Expressway, and the
Benin-Bypass. The city also has a railway station, which is part of the
Nigerian Railway Corporation
Nigerian Railway Corporation (commonly abbreviated as NRC) is the state-owned enterprise with exclusive rights to operate railways in Nigeria.
History and legislative background
The Nigerian Railway Corporation traces its history to the year ...
network that links the city to
Lagos
Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...
,
Kano
Kano may refer to:
Places
*Kano State, a state in Northern Nigeria
*Kano (city), a city in Nigeria, and the capital of Kano State
**Kingdom of Kano, a Hausa kingdom between the 10th and 14th centuries
**Sultanate of Kano, a Hausa kingdom between ...
,
Port Harcourt, and other major cities in the country. The city also has an airport, the
Benin Airport
Benin Airport is an airport serving Benin City, the capital of Edo State in Nigeria. The runway is in the middle of the city.
Airlines and destinations
See also
*Transport in Nigeria
*List of airports in Nigeria
*List of the busiest airports ...
, which is operated by the
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria
Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is a service organization statutorily charged to manage all Commercial Airports in Nigeria and provide service to both passenger and cargo airlines. Generally, to create conditions for the development i ...
and serves domestic and international flights. The city also has a seaport, the
Gelegele Seaport, which is located on the Benin River and serves as a gateway for the export and import of goods and services. The city also has several communication facilities, such as telephone, radio, television, internet, and postal services.
Benin City is the political and social hub of Edo State and Nigeria, as it is the seat of the state government and the headquarters of the
Edo South Senatorial District
Edo South Senatorial District in Edo State covers seven local governments which include Oredo, Ovia South West, Egor, Ovia North East, Orhionmwon
Orhionmwon is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarter is in the town of A ...
, the
Edo Central Senatorial District
Edo Central Senatorial District in Edo State covers five local governments areas which include Esan South-East, Igueben, Esan North East, Esan West and Esan Central
Esan Central Local Government Area is a Local Government Area of Edo State, N ...
, and the
Edo North Senatorial District
Edo North Senatorial District in Edo State comprises six local government areas which consist of Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Owan West, Owan East and Akoko Edo. The headquarters (collation centre) of Edo North is Auchi in Etsakor ...
. The city also has several local government areas, such as the
Oredo
Oredo is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarter is in Benin City. Its capital city is Benin City which also is the capital city of Edo State, Nigeria. Benin City is also the capital city of the Benin Empire. The Oba ...
, the
Egor
Egor is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. 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.
It has an area of 93 km and a populati ...
, the
Ikpoba-Okha
Ikpoba Okha is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Idogbo, along Benin/Abraka Road. The LGA is made up of several towns and villages such as Evbuomodu, Uwusan, Obazagbon, Agedo, Evbumufi, Ekosa, Obadol ...
, the
Ovia North-East, the
Ovia South-West, and the
Uhunmwonde
Uhunmwonde is one of the Local Government Areas of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Ehor.
It has an area of 2,033 km and a population of 120,813 at the 2006 census. The villages in Uhunmwonde Local Government area includes ...
. The city also has several political parties, civil society organisations, religious groups, and ethnic associations, that represent the interests and aspirations of the people of Edo State and Nigeria.
Local government
Edo State is divided into 18
local government areas
A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a state, province, division, or territory.
The phrase i ...
(LGAs), which are the third-tier of government in Nigeria, after the federal and state governments. The LGAs are the basic units of administration and development in the state and are responsible for the provision of essential services and amenities to the people within their jurisdictions.
The LGAs are governed by the
local government councils, which are the elected bodies that exercise the legislative and executive powers of the LGAs. The local government councils consist of the
chairperson
The chairperson, also chairman, chairwoman or chair, is the presiding officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office, who is typically elected or appointed by members of the grou ...
, who is the head and the chief executive officer of the LGA; the
vice-chairperson
The chairperson, also chairman, chairwoman or chair, is the presiding officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office, who is typically elected or appointed by members of the group ...
, who is the deputy head and the chief accounting officer of the LGA; and the
councillors
A councillor is an elected representative for a local government council in some countries.
Canada
Due to the control that the provinces have over their municipal governments, terms that councillors serve vary from province to province. Unl ...
, who are the representatives of the
wards
Ward may refer to:
Division or unit
* Hospital ward, a hospital division, floor, or room set aside for a particular class or group of patients, for example the psychiatric ward
* Prison ward, a division of a penal institution such as a priso ...
of the LGA. The local government councils also have the
secretary
A secretary, administrative professional, administrative assistant, executive assistant, administrative officer, administrative support specialist, clerk, military assistant, management assistant, office secretary, or personal assistant is a w ...
, who is the principal administrative officer of the LGA and the head of the
local government service commission; and the
heads of department, who are the heads of the various
departments of the LGA and are responsible for the administration and management of the LGA affairs in their respective portfolios.
The 18 LGAs of Edo State are:
The LGAs of Edo State are further divided into 192 wards, which are the smallest units of administration and development in the state and are represented by the councillors in the local government councils.
The wards are also the electoral constituencies for the local government elections, which are conducted by the
Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).
The local government elections are held every four years and are based on the
first-past-the-post
In a first-past-the-post electoral system (FPTP or FPP), formally called single-member plurality voting (SMP) when used in single-member districts or informally choose-one voting in contrast to ranked voting, or score voting, voters cast their ...
system. The local government councils are accountable to the people through the periodic elections and the
public accounts committee, which is the committee that audits and scrutinises the accounts and expenditure of the LGAs.
The LGAs of Edo State are also subject to the supervision and control of the state government, which is exercised by the
Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of Edo State, which is the ministry that oversees the affairs of the LGAs and the traditional institutions in the state; and the
Local Government Service Commission of Edo State, which is the commission that regulates and coordinates the service matters of the LGAs in the state. The state government also has the power to create, merge, or dissolve the LGAs, subject to the approval of the state legislature and the ratification of the people through a referendum.
The LGAs of Edo State are the closest level of government to the people and are responsible for the provision of essential services and amenities, such as primary education, primary health care, rural water supply, rural electrification, environmental sanitation, waste management, road maintenance, market development, agricultural extension, and community development.
The LGAs also have the power to make bye-laws for the good governance of their areas, subject to the conformity with the state and federal laws.
The LGAs also have the power to generate revenue from various sources, such as taxes, fees, fines, grants, loans, and allocations from the state and federal governments. The LGAs also have the power to cooperate and collaborate with other LGAs, the state government, the federal government, and other agencies or organisations for the promotion of the common interests and welfare of the people.
See also
*
List of Governors of Edo State
*
2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Edo State
*
2020 Edo State gubernatorial election
The 2020 Edo State gubernatorial election occurred on September 19, 2020. Incumbent PDP Governor Godwin Obaseki won re-election for a second term, defeating APC Osagie Ize-Iyamu and several minor party candidates. Obaseki received 57.3% of t ...
References
Citations
Bibliography
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{{Edo State
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Edo
Edo ( ja, , , "bay-entrance" or "estuary"), also romanized as Jedo, Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of Tokyo.
Edo, formerly a ''jōkamachi'' (castle town) centered on Edo Castle located in Musashi Province, became the ''de facto'' capital of ...
Politics of Edo State
Edo State
1991 establishments in Nigeria
States and territories established in 1991