Benin City serves as the

capital Capital and its variations may refer to: Common uses * Capital city, a municipality of primary status ** Capital region, a metropolitan region containing the capital ** List of national capitals * Capital letter, an upper-case letter Econom ...

and largest metropolitan centre of

Edo State Edo State, Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a States of Nigeria, state in the South South, South-South Geopolitical zones of Nigeria, geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As of 2024, the state was ranked as the List of Ni ...

, situated in southern Nigeria. It ranks as the fourth-most populous city in Nigeria, according to the 2006 national census, preceded by

Lagos Lagos ( ; ), or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan city in southwestern Nigeria. With an upper population estimated above 21 million dwellers, it is the largest city in Nigeria, the most populous urban area on the African continent, and on ...

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 betwee ...

, and

Ibadan Ibadan (, ; ) is the Capital city, capital and most populous city of Oyo State, in Nigeria. It is the List of Nigerian cities by population, third-largest city by population in Nigeria after Lagos and Kano (city), Kano, with a total populatio ...

Geography

Benin City is located in close proximity to 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, Obia ...

, situated approximately to the north, whilst its eastern perimeter lies from Lagos via the

arterial road An arterial road or arterial thoroughfare is a high-capacity urban road that sits below highway A highway is any public or private road or other public way on land. It includes not just major roads, but also other public roads and rights o ...

network. The city's municipal boundaries converge with those of several prominent neighbouring towns in southern Nigeria, notably

Agbor Agbor is the most populous town of approximately 367,000 among the Ika people, in Delta State, Nigeria. It is located in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, in South-south geo-political zone of Nigeria, West Africa. Agbor is the he ...

Oghara Oghara Kingdom is a town located in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Oghara kingdom which is regarded by the Urhobos as "The Gateway to Urhoboland" is one of the three kingdoms that make up Ethiope West Local Gove ...

, and

Ekpoma Ekpoma is a town in Edo State, Nigeria. It is the administrative headquarters of the Esan West Local Government Area. Ekpoma lies on the geographical coordinate of latitude . The town has an official Post Office, and it is home to the Ambrose ...

Agriculture

Benin City boasts an exceptionally fertile agricultural landscape and serves as the epicentre of Nigeria's thriving

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. Types of polyisoprene ...

industry. Additionally, the production of

palm oil Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of oil palms. The oil is used in food manufacturing, in beauty products, and as biofuel. Palm oil accounted for about 36% of global oils produced from o ...

constitutes a substantial sector, further underscoring the city's prominence in Nigeria's agricultural economy.

Trade

The city of Benin served as the paramount settlement of the

Edo Edo (), also romanized as Jedo, Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of Tokyo. Edo, formerly a (castle town) centered on Edo Castle located in Musashi Province, became the '' de facto'' capital of Japan from 1603 as the seat of the Tokugawa shogu ...

Kingdom of Benin The Kingdom of Benin, also known as Great Benin, is a traditional kingdom in southern Nigeria. It has no historical relation to the modern republic of Benin, which was known as Dahomey from the 17th century until 1975. The Kingdom of Benin's c ...

, a pre-colonial polity that flourished from the 13th to the 19th centuries. During its final centuries, the kingdom maintained significant trade relations with

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

, prior to being captured, sacked, and razed in 1897 by a British

punitive expedition A punitive expedition is a military journey undertaken to punish a political entity or any group of people outside the borders of the punishing state or union. It is usually undertaken in response to perceived disobedient or morally wrong beha ...

. This expedition resulted in the looting of numerous

bronze sculptures Bronze is the most popular metal for Casting (metalworking), cast metal sculptures; a cast bronze sculpture is often called simply "a bronze". It can be used for statues, singly or in groups, reliefs, and small statuettes and figurines, as w ...

from the Benin City palace, collectively referred to 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. The metal plaques were produced by the Guild of Benin Bronze Casters, now ...

. Subsequent to their punitive victory, the

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

gradually colonized the area, eventually incorporating the region into

Colonial Nigeria Colonial Nigeria was ruled by the British Empire from the mid-nineteenth century until 1st of October 1960 when Nigeria achieved independence. Britain Lagos Treaty of Cession, annexed Lagos Colony, Lagos in 1861 and established the Oil River ...

. The indigenous inhabitants of Benin City are the

Edo people The Edo people, also referred to as the Benin City, Benin people, are an Edoid languages, Edoid-speaking Ethnicity, ethnic group. They are prominently native to seven Edo South Senatorial District, southern Local government areas of Nigeria, loc ...

, also referred to as the Benin people, who communicate in the

Edo language Edo (; English: , West African English: Help:IPA, /ˈedo/), also known as Bini, is the language spoken by the Edo people in Edo State, Nigeria. It was the primary language of the Benin Empire and its predecessor, Igodomigodo for thousands of y ...

, also known as the Bini language. The city's populace boasts one of the richest dress cultures on the

African continent Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...

, renowned for their elaborate adornments, including beads symbolizing royalty, body marks, bangles, anklets, and intricate

raffia Raffia palms are members of the genus ''Raphia''. The Malagasy language, Malagasy name is derived from ' "to squeeze #Raffia wine, juice". The genus contains about twenty species of Arecaceae, palms native to tropical regions of Africa, and esp ...

work. Additionally, the people of Benin City engage in subsistence farming, primarily cultivating yams, plantains, 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, from Brazil, Paraguay and parts of the Andes. Although ...

.''Benin, City, Nigeria,''
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2005 Columbia University Press. Retrieved 18 February 2007

History

Edo people

Origins of the Ẹdo Empire

According to tradition, the original inhabitants and founders of the Ẹdo Empire and the

were ruled by the kings known as the Ogiso dynasty, who referred to the land as

Igodomigodo Igodomigodo was an ancient Edo kingdom in modern-day southern Nigeria ruled by the Ogiso monarchy. History Legendary origins The Edo tradition of origin holds that initially there was no land on earth. Accordingly, Osanobua requested three ...

. The first Ogiso, Igodo, wielded significant influence and gained popularity as a benevolent ruler. He died after a protracted reign and was succeeded by

Ere Ere or ERE may refer to: * ''Environmental and Resource Economics'', a peer-reviewed academic journal * ERE Informatique, one of the first French video game companies * Ere language, an Austronesian language * Ebi Ere (born 1981), American-Nigeria ...

, his eldest son.

Succession crisis and the rise of Oduduwa

A battle for power soon erupted between the wife of the last Ogiso and Prince Ekaladerhan, son of the last

Ogiso The were the earliest known ruling monarchy of the Edo kingdom of Igodomigodo, founded by Igodo, the first Ogiso. The monarchy began around 900 AD and lasted until the early 12th century when it was succeeded by the Oba monarchy. The Ogiso m ...

. Prince Ekaladerhan was falsely accused by his father's wife and sentenced to death. However, the men sent to execute him released him at

Ughoton Ughoton (or Gwato) is a town in Nigeria's Edo State. According to Benin oral tradition, the town was reportedly founded as 'Iguekaladerhan' (the land of Ekaladerhan) by Ekaladerhan, the son of Owodo, the last Benin ogiso (monarch). At the tim ...

. The exiled prince made his way to Ile-Ife, where he changed his name to Izoduwa, meaning "I have found prosperity".

Search for Prince Ekaladerhan and the founding of the Oba Dynasty

During a period of confusion, elders, led by Chief Oliha, mounted a search for the banished Prince Ekaladerhan – whom the Ife people now called

Oduduwa Odùduwà (Ooduwa, Odudua or Oòdua) was a Yoruba divine king, a creator deity (orisha) in the Yoruba religion, and the legendary figure who ushered in the classical period that later led to the foundation of the Ife Empire. His earthly orig ...

. The exiled Oduduwa refused to return to Benin due to the circumstances of his departure. Instead, he sent his son, Ọranmiyan, to become king in his place. Prince Ọranmiyan took up residence in the palace built for him at Uzama by the elders, now a coronation shrine. Soon after, he married a Ẹrinmwide, daughter of Osa-nego, the ninth ''Enogie'' of

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 ...

. He and Erinmwide had a son. After some years, he called a meeting of the people and renounced his office, remarking that the country was a land of vexation, ''Ile-Ibinu'', and that only a child born, trained, and educated in the arts and mysteries of the land could reign over the people.

Legacy of Oduduwa and the Oba Dynasty

The country was afterward known by this name. He caused his son, born to him by Ẹrinmwide, to be made King in his place and returned to Ife land. After some years in Ife, he left for Benin. Ọranmiyan himself was reigning as Ọọni of Ifẹ. Therefore, Ọranmiyan of Ife, is the father of

Eweka I Eweka I (reigned 1200 AD – 1235 AD) was the first Oba of Benin and presided over the kingdom's shift from the Ogiso monarchy to the establishment of the Obaship. His 35-year reign had a notable impact on the political, cultural, and traditio ...

, the first

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 Daho ...

, and father of Ajaka,

Alaafin Alaafin, or ''The custodian of the Palace'' in the Yoruba language, is the title of the king of the Oyo Empire and present-day Oyo town of West Africa. It is the particular title of the Oba (king) of the Oyo. It is sometimes translated as ...

of Ọyọ. Around 1470, Ẹwuare changed the name of the state to Ẹdo. This was about the time the people of Ọkpẹkpẹ migrated from Benin City. Alternatively, the Yoruba nation has a different conception of

. According to Yoruba tradition, because of his power and military might, he was able to defeat the enemies invading Benin, which is why the people of Benin made him the King or Ọba of Benin. In any case, it is agreed upon by both the Yoruba and the

that

sent his son Prince Oranmiyan of Ife to rule Benin City and founded the Oba dynasty in Benin City. Benin

imperialism Imperialism is the maintaining and extending of Power (international relations), power over foreign nations, particularly through expansionism, employing both hard power (military and economic power) and soft power (diplomatic power and cultura ...

was started in the last decade of the 13th century by Oba Ewedo. Oba Ewedo later changed the name of the city of Ile-Binu, the capital of the Benin kingdom, to "Ubini." This name would be reinterpreted by the Portuguese as "Benin" in their own language.

European contact and colonization

Portuguese encounter and the rise of Benin

In approximately 1485, Portuguese explorers visited Benin City, marking the beginning of

European European, or Europeans, may refer to: In general * ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe ** Ethnic groups in Europe ** Demographics of Europe ** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe and other West ...

contact with the kingdom. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Benin flourished economically due to its strategic position in the transatlantic trade network, exchanging goods such as pepper and ivory and slaves with European nations.

Diplomatic relations with Portugal

In the early 16th century,

Ozolua Ozolua, originally known as Prince Okpame, was the fifteenth Oba of the Kingdom of Benin who reigned from . He greatly expanded the Kingdom through warfare and increased contact with the Portuguese Empire, and was later called , meaning Ozolua t ...

, one of

Oba Ewuare Ewuare (also known as Ewuare the Great or Ewuare I), originally known as Prince Ogun, was the twelfth Oba of Benin, Oba of the Benin Empire from 1440 until 1473. Ewuare became king in a violent coup against his brother Uwaifiokun which destroyed ...

's sons, travelled with Joao Alfonso d'Aveiro to

Lisbon Lisbon ( ; ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 567,131, as of 2023, within its administrative limits and 3,028,000 within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, metropolis, as of 2025. Lisbon is mainlan ...

, and the

King of Portugal This is a list of Portuguese monarchs who ruled from the establishment of the Kingdom of Portugal, in 1139, to the deposition of the Portuguese monarchy and creation of the Portugal, Portuguese Republic with the 5 October 1910 revolution. Thro ...

subsequently sent

Christian missionaries A Christian mission is an organized effort to carry on evangelism, in the name of the Christian faith. Missions involve sending individuals and groups across boundaries, most commonly geographical boundaries. Sometimes individuals are sent and ...

to Benin. This exchange facilitated the introduction of European culture, technology, and ideas to the kingdom. Interestingly, some residents of Benin City could still converse in a

pidgin A pidgin , or pidgin language, is a grammatically simplified form of contact language that develops between two or more groups of people that do not have a language in common: typically, its vocabulary and grammar are limited and often drawn f ...

Portuguese dialect in the late 19th century, and many Portuguese

loan words A loanword (also a loan word, loan-word) is a word at least partly assimilated from one language (the donor language) into another language (the recipient or target language), through the process of borrowing. Borrowing is a metaphorical term t ...

continue to be used in the local languages.

Portuguese accounts of Benin City

The earliest written description of Benin City is from the Portuguese geographer and navigator

Duarte Pacheco Pereira Duarte Pacheco Pereira (; c. 1460 – 1533), called the Portuguese Achilles (''Aquiles Lusitano'') by the poet Camões, was a Portuguese sea captain, soldier, explorer and cartographer. He travelled particularly in the central Atlantic Ocean we ...

in his book ''Esmeraldo de Situ Orbis'', dating from 1508: In 1691, the Portuguese captain Lourenço Pinto provided another description of Benin City, highlighting its impressive architecture, wealth, and governance: Drawing of Benin City made by an English officer 1897

Drawing of Benin City made by an English officer 1897

British conquest and its aftermath

On 17 February 1897, Benin City fell to the British during the "

Punitive Expedition A punitive expedition is a military journey undertaken to punish a political entity or any group of people outside the borders of the punishing state or union. It is usually undertaken in response to perceived disobedient or morally wrong beha ...

", a military campaign led by Admiral Sir Harry Rawson. The British force captured, sacked, and burnt the city, following the ambush and killing of a British delegation led by Acting Consul General James Robert Phillips. Alan Boisragon, one of the survivors of the Benin Massacre, included references to the practice of human sacrifice in the city in a firsthand account written in 1898 (one year after the Punitive Expedition). Historian James D. Graham notes that although "there is little doubt that human sacrifices were an integral part of the Benin state religion from very early days," first-hand accounts regarding such acts often varied significantly, with some reporting them and others making no mention of them. The expedition resulted in the looting of the Benin Bronzes, a collection of intricate brass plaques and sculptures that adorned the palace walls.

The Benin Bronzes and the legacy of colonialism

The Benin Bronzes, a group of several thousand metal plaques and sculptures that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, were subsequently auctioned off to compensate for the expenses incurred during the capture and occupation of the city. Today, these artifacts are scattered throughout Western museums, with many calling for their repatriation to Nigeria. The most iconic of these artifacts is the Queen Idia mask, which was used as a mascot during the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC '77) held in Nigeria in 1977. The British colonization of Benin paved the way for the merging of regional British incorporations of African kingdoms into the

Niger Coast Protectorate The Niger Coast Protectorate was a British protectorate in the Oil Rivers area of present-day Nigeria, originally established as the Oil Rivers Protectorate in 1884 and confirmed at the Berlin Conference the following year. It was renamed on 12 M ...

, the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, and finally, into the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. Although the British permitted the restoration of the Benin monarchy in 1914, true political power remained with the colonial administration of Nigeria.

Nigerian independence

Post-Colonial Era and Administrative Reforms

Following Nigeria's attainment of independence from British colonial rule in 1960, Benin City emerged as the capital of the Mid-Western Region, subsequent to the region's separation from the Western Region in June 1963. This administrative reconfiguration aimed to promote regional autonomy and more effective governance.

Renaming and restructuring

In 1976, the Mid-Western Region underwent a nomenclatural transformation, being renamed

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 ...

. Benin City retained its status as the regional capital, serving as the administrative epicentre of the state. This designation persisted until 1991, when Bendel State was bifurcated into two distinct entities:

Delta State Delta is a States of Nigeria, state in the South South (Nigeria), South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Named after the Niger Delta—a large part of which is in the state—the state was formed from the former Bendel State, on 27 August 1 ...

and

. Consequently, Benin City became the state capital of Edo State, assuming a pivotal role in the governance and development of the newly formed state.

Geography

Climate

Benin City exhibits a

tropical monsoon climate An area of tropical monsoon climate (occasionally known as a sub-equatorial, tropical wet climate or a tropical monsoon and trade-wind littoral climate) is a tropical climate subtype that corresponds to the Köppen climate classification category ' ...

(

Köppen Köppen is a German surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Bernd Köppen (1951–2014), German pianist and composer * Carl Köppen (1833-1907), German military advisor in Meiji era Japan * Edlef Köppen (1893–1939), German author ...

''Am''), characterized by persistently high temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year.

Temperature and humidity

The weather in Benin City is typically hot and humid, with average temperatures ranging from throughout the year. The relative humidity is consistently high, often exceeding 60%.

Seasonal variation

While the city experiences a relatively uniform climate throughout the year, there is discernible seasonal variation. The period between July and September is particularly notable for its dull and overcast weather conditions, with reduced sunshine and increased rainfall.

Education

Benin City is home to some of Nigeria's institutions of higher learning, namely, the University of Benin located at Ugbowo and Ekenwan, College of Education Ekiadolor, Igbinedion University,

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 ...

Wellspring University Wellspring University is a private university, licensed by the Federal government of Nigeria, Federal Government of Nigeria in November 2009. It is located in Benin City, Edo State, Edo state, Nigeria. The university was founded by the Management ...

, Secondary schools in Benin include Edo College, Edo Boys High School (Adolo College), Western Boys High School, Oba Ewuare Grammar School, Greater Tomorrow Secondary School, Imaguero College, Oredo Girls Secondary School, Garrick Memorial Secondary School, Winrose Secondary School, Asoro Grammar School, Eghosa Anglican Grammar School, Edokpolor Grammar School, Covenant Christian Academy, Niger College,

Presentation National High School Presentation National High School is an all-girls boarding school in Usunobun Street, Ugbekun Quarters, Benin City, Edo State Nigeria. This boarding school was founded by the Archbishop of Benin City, Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, on Nove ...

, Gaius Obaseki International High School, Immaculate Conception College (ICC), Uselu Secondary School, Idia College, University of Benin Demonstration Secondary School (UDSS), University Preparatory Secondary School, Auntie Maria School, Benin Technical College, Word of Faith Group of Schools, Lydia Group of Schools, Nosakhare Model Education Centre, Igbinedion Educational Center,

Federal Government Girls College, Benin City Federal Government Girls College, Benin (FGGC Benin) is a federal government funded girls institution that prepares young girls for the future. FGGC Benin is located in Benin City, Edo State in the midwestern region of Nigeria, West Africa. Histo ...

Environmental issues

Climate change

Scientists have already demonstrated the effects of climate change, with increases in temperature, humidity and precipitation trends between 1981 and 2015.

Flood management

Benin city experiences regular flooding. Studies have consistently highlighted the problem since at least 1993. Experts have recommended a number of ways to improve flood management, including better controls on land use, construction and development, improved Community-based programs designed to improve city adaptation and disaster management, and improvements in individual preparedness. In June 2020, a significant number of communities and individuals were left homeless because of city flooding. At the time, residents and the city blamed poor

storm drain A storm drain, storm sewer (United Kingdom, U.S. and Canada), highway drain, surface water drain/sewer (United Kingdom), or stormwater drain (Australia and New Zealand) is infrastructure designed to drain excess rain and ground water from i ...

s and a failure to continue flood adaptation programs.

Urban heating

The city is on average warmer than the surrounding rural areas, and these temperature differences are greater during the working weeks.

Waste management

A 2021 study published in ''

Nature Nature is an inherent character or constitution, particularly of the Ecosphere (planetary), ecosphere or the universe as a whole. In this general sense nature refers to the Scientific law, laws, elements and phenomenon, phenomena of the physic ...

'' highlighted that the city has not met the standards for

waste management Waste management or waste disposal includes the processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of waste, together with monitor ...

set by the Edo State Waste Management Board. After surveying 2,720 inhabitants of the city, the authors found that most people in the city did not understand proper waste management practices. Moreover, the study found that survey participants did not understand how waste management was connected to other issues like greenhouse gas emissions. An additional study found that most residents did not understand the health impacts of bad waste management.

Culture

Attractions in the city include the National Museum, the Oba Palace, and

Igun Street Igun Street, also known as Igun-Eronmwon Quarters, is a street situated in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. This street is renowned for being the residence of the Guild of Benin Bronze and Brass Casters, known as the Igun-Eronmwon. It holds the des ...

(famous for bronze casting and other metal works). Other attractions include various festivals and the Benin Moats (measuring about 20 to 40 ft), the King's Square (known as Ring Road), and the city's traditional markets. The Binis are known for bronze sculpture, their casting skills, and their arts and craft. Benin City is also the home of one of the oldest ongoing monarchies in the world. Various festivals are held in Benin City yearly to celebrate various historic occasions and seasons.

Festivals

Benin City has a popular festival called the

Igue festival Igue festival (also known as King's Festival) is a celebration with its origin in the Benin Kingdom of Edo State, southern Nigeria. One tradition states that the festival date coincided with the marriage of Ewuare Ewuare (also known as Ewuare ...

. The festival is an annual event held in the city to usher in the new year. The festival is an integral part of the culture of the people in Benin City (formerly referred to as Benin Kingdom or the Kingdom of Benin). The festival is believed to renew Oba Ewuare's magical powers and it celebration comes between Christmas and New Year celebrations. The festival includes the Oba's blessing of the land and his people. Aside from the cultural festival, the city also plays host to the Benin City Film Festival. The festival creates room for the promotion of works produced by the local film community. It also promotes the content of emerging national and international filmmakers, showcasing their works in an environment where they have access to experienced industry professionals.

Bini market days

The Bini people have four market days: Ekioba, Ekenaka, Agbado, and Eken.

Transportation

Benin Airport serves the city with five commercial airlines flying to it, including

Green Africa Airways Green Africa Airways Ltd is a Nigerian airline, based in Lagos, Nigeria. The airline was founded in 2015 and commenced flights on 12 August 2021. History Green Africa Airways was founded on 15 June 2015 by Babawande Afolabi, who serves as the c ...

United Nigeria Airlines United Nigeria Airlines Limited, trading as United Nigeria Airlines , is a private airline in Nigeria. The new start-up received its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) on 1 February 2021. Headquartered in the city of Enugu, with an office in Abuj ...

, Aero Contractors,

Arik Air Arik Air is a Nigerian airline operating mainly from two hubs at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Arik Air's head office is the ''Arik Air Aviation Center'' on the grounds of Mu ...

, and

Air Peace Air Peace Limited is a private Nigerian airline founded in 2013 with its head office in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, and the largest airline of Nigeria and West Africa. Air Peace, which provides passenger and charter services, serves the major ...

Gallery

File:Ameosa Motors, Benin City Edo State,.jpg File:Baptist College of Theology, Benin City, Edo State.jpg File:Baptist High School Main Entrance, Benin Edo state.jpg File:Baptist Secreteriat, Benin Edo state.jpg File:Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin City, Edo State.jpg File:Edo state House of Assembly complex, Benin city3.jpg File:Endurance Education Centre, Benin City.jpg File:Investment House, Benin city, Edo state.jpg File:Nigerian Television Authority, Benin City, Edo State.jpg File:Oba of Benin Palace, Benin, Edo state.jpg File:Oredo Constituency Office, Benin city, Edo State.jpg File:Ovia North East Line, Benin City, Edo State.jpg File:Pension House, Benin city, Edo state.jpg File:Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City Edo State.jpg File:Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City Edo State 01.jpg File:St. Patrick Catholic Church, Ugbowo, Benin City 2.jpg File:St. Patrick Catholic Church, Ugbowo, Benin City.jpg File:Welcome to the Palace of the Oba of Benin signpost, Benin, Edo state.jpg

Notable people

Godwin Abbe Godwin Osagie Abbe (10 January 1949 – 21 December 2024) was a Nigerian Army Major General who served as minister of defence from 2009 to 2010. He also served as minister of interior from 2007 to 2009. Military career Godwin Abbe joined the m ...

, former Nigerian Minister for Interior and Defence *

Ambrose Folorunsho Alli Ambrose Folorunsho Alli (22 September 1929 – 22 September 1989) was a Nigerian medical professor who served as Executive Governor of the defunct Nigerian state of Bendel State (now the Nigerian states of Edo and Delta) between 1979 and 198 ...

, former governor of the defunct Bendel State. He created the Bendel State University now named after him as "

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, subs ...

" * Eghosa Asemota Agbonifo, politician * Anthony Anenih, chairman, the board of trustees (PDP) and Nigeria's former Minister of Works *

Suleiman Braimoh Suleiman Okhaifoede Braimoh Jr. (born October 19, 1989) is a Nigerian professional basketball player for Karşıyaka Basket of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). He played college basketball for Rice University before playing professionally in the ...

(born 1989), Nigerian-American basketball player in the

Israel Basketball Premier League Ligat HaAl (, lit., ''Supreme League or Premier League''), or the Israeli Basketball Premier League, is a professional basketball league in Israel and the highest level of basketball in the country. The league's name is abbreviated as either BSL ...

Johnny Drille 'Johnny Drille (born John Ighodaro; 5 July 1990) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He rose to prominence in 2015 after releasing a cover of Di’Ja’s song "Awww", which attracted the attention of Don Jazzy, the founder of M ...

, music artist *

Ayo Edebiri Ayo Edebiri ( ; born October 3, 1995) is an American actress, comedian, and television writer. Since 2022, she has played chef Sydney Adamu in the comedy-drama series '' The Bear'', for which she won a Golden Globe Award, two Screen Actors Guil ...

, American actress and comedian * Archbishop John Edokpolo, Minister of Trade and Founder of Edokpolor Grammar School * Francis Edo-Osagie, businessman *

Jacob Egharevba Chief Jacob Uwadiae Egharevba (1893–1981) was a Bini historian and traditional chief whose writings specialized in the history of Benin Kingdom. Life Early life Egharevba was born in Idanre, Ondo State, His father was related to Ohenmwen, I ...

, Bini historian and traditional chief *

Anthony Enahoro Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro (22 July 1923 – 15 December 2010) was one of Nigeria's foremost anti-colonial and pro-democracy activists. He was born the eldest of ten children in Uromi, present-day Edo State of Nigeria. His Esan parents ...

, anti-colonial and pro-democracy activist and politician * Abel Guobadia, former chairman of Nigeria's

Independent National Electoral Commission Independent National Electoral Commission may refer to: *Independent National Electoral Commission (Burundi) *Independent National Electoral Commission (Democratic Republic of the Congo) *Independent National Electoral Commission (Guinea) The Inde ...

* Ovia Idah, Nigerian sculptor *

Benson Idahosa Benson Andrew Idahosa (11 September 1938 – 12 March 1998), was a Charismatic Pentecostal preacher. He founded Church of God Mission International. Archbishop Benson Idahosa was popularly referred to as the father of Pentecostalism in Nigeria. ...

, Founder of Church of God Mission International Incorporated and Idahosa World Outreach (IWO) *

Felix Idubor Felix Idubor (1928–1991) was a Nigerian sculptor from Benin City, a city with a rich history of artistic excellence. He was part of a young group of artists in the 1950s and 1960s who raised awareness of the artistic consciousness of African tra ...

, artist * Gabriel Igbinedion, businessman and Esama of Benin kingdom *

Festus Iyayi Festus Iyayi (29 September 1947 – 12 November 2013) was a Nigerian leftist writer, best known for advancing his politics through realist novels depicting the sociopolitical environment of contemporary Nigeria. He was also a former president of ...

, novelist and first African to win the Commonwealth Writers Prize *

Felix Lebarty Felix Lebarty, also known as Lover Boy, is a Nigerian singer/songwriter and record producer, best known for the 1989 single "Ifeoma" from the ''One Life To Live'' album. He has since reinvented himself as a pastor, and currently runs his own Ch ...

, musician *

Godwin Obaseki Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki (born 1 July 1957) is a Nigerian politician and businessman who served as the governor of Edo State from 2016 to 2024. Obaseki was elected governor under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2016 wh ...

, a former governor of

Sonny Okosun Sonny Okosun (1 January 1947 – 24 May 2008) was a Nigerian musician, who was known as the leader of the Ozzidi band. He named his band Ozzidi after a renowned Ijaw languages, Ijaw river god, but to Okosun the meaning was "there is a message". ...

, musician *

Suyi Davies Okungbowa Suyi Davies Okungbowa (born Osasuyi Okungbowa in 1989) is a Nigerian fantasy, science fiction and speculative writer and academic. His debut novel, ''David Mogo'', ''Godhunter'' was published in July 2019. He has also written works for younger ...

, African fantasy and speculative fiction author * Osasere Orumwense, former vice-chancellor of University of Benin * Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, former vice-chancellor of University of Benin *

Demi Isaac Oviawe Demi Isaac Oviawe ( ; born 2 November 2000), sometimes known as Demi Isaac, is a Nigerian-born Irish actress who grew up in Ireland. She is best known for her role as Linda Walsh in the RTÉ (; ; RTÉThe É in RTÉ is pronounced as an En ...

, Ireland-based actress *

Chris Oyakhilome Christian Oyakhilome (born 7 December 1963), known as Pastor Chris, is a Nigerian pastor, author, televangelist, and president of LoveWorld Incorporated, a Christian ministry based in Lagos. He is the founder of Christ Embassy, a large congr ...

, founder and president of Believers LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as

Christ Embassy Christ Embassy (also known as LoveWorld Incorporated or Believers' Loveworld) is a megachurch and Christian denomination founded in 1987 by Chris Oyakhilome from Edo State, Nigeria. The denomination, with its headquarters in Lagos, has since ...

* Modupe Ozolua, cosmetic surgeon * Rema, music artist * Lilian Salami, Vice-Chancellor of university of Benin *

Shallipopi Crown Uzama (born April 12, 2000), known professionally as Shallipopi, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, and songwriter. He gained recognition in 2023 with the release of his single, "Elon Musk". He followed up with the extended play ''Planet Pluto ...

, singer and songwriter *

Boy Spyce Ugbekile David Osemeke (born 10 May 2001), known professionally as Boy Spyce, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He gained recognition following his 2021 cover of Wizkid's song "Essence". Its success led him to sign a recording contract with M ...

, music artist * Johnson Suleman, senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International *

Victor Uwaifo Victor Efosa Uwaifo (1 March 1941 – 28 August 2021) was a Nigerian musician, writer, sculptor, and musical instrument inventor, university lecturer, music legend, and the first Honorable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Nigeria. ...

, musician * Zerrydl, music artist

References

Bibliography

* Bondarenko D. M. A Homoarchic Alternative to the Homoarchic State: Benin Kingdom of the Thirteenth - Nineteenth Centuries. ''

Social Evolution & History ''Social Evolution & History'' is a peer-reviewed academic journal focused on the development of human societies in the past, present, and future. In addition to original research articles, ''Social Evolution & History'' includes critical notes an ...

''. 2005. vol. 4, no 2. pp. 18–88.

External links

WorldStatesmen- Nigeria
The Fall of Benin]
Benin kingdom/Edo state tourismStory of cities #5: Benin City, the mighty medieval capital now lost without trace
{{Authority control Benin City, Populated places in Edo State State capitals in Nigeria Cities in Nigeria Sacred sites in traditional African religions