Owan

Ethnic group in Edo State, Nigeria Ethnic group AfemaiTotal population~1,530,000 (est.) (2025)Regions with significant populations NigeriaEtsakọ (West, Central, East)~705,000 (est.)Owan (West, East)~405,000 (est.)Akoko-Edo~420,000 (est.)LanguagesAfemaiReligionChristianity, Islam, African traditional religion The Afemai people (also spelled Afenmai) are a major ethnic group in the northern region of Edo State, Nigeria. They are historically linked to the Kingdom of Benin and are part of the Edoid ethnolinguistic family. The Afemai occupy six local government areas (LGAs) of Edo State: Etsako West (with headquarters in Auchi), Etsako Central, Etsako East, Owan East, Owan West and Akoko Edo. These collectively constitute the Edo North senatorial district. The Etsakọ, Owan, and Akoko-Edo peoples are collectively referred to as the Afenmai (though the latter is sometimes grouped separately). The people and region they reside in were formerly called Kukuruku by the British colonial administration, allegedly in reference to a rallying battle cry; this term is now considered derogatory, and the people induced the government to change the name to Afenmai (see Kukuruku Hills § Name for