Towns and Villages in Edo State

Edo State sits in Nigeria’s South South geopolitical zone, with its capital at Benin City. The state has 18 local government areas and recorded a population of 3,233,366 at the 2006 census, projected to reach 4,777,000 by 2022. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.

Local Government Areas in Edo State

Edo State’s 18 LGAs fall into three senatorial districts—Edo North (Akoko-Edo, the Etsako LGAs, and the Owan LGAs), Edo Central (the Esan LGAs and Igueben), and Edo South (Benin City and the surrounding LGAs)—and the table below lists each one with its census figures.

Edo State has 18 official local government areas; 14 have full town-and-village lists on this site, and the remaining four—Etsako West, Ikpoba-Okha, Owan East, and Owan West—are listed here with their census figures only.

Geography

Edo State lies in southern Nigeria, bordered by Kogi State to the north, Anambra State to the east across the Niger River, Delta State to the south and southeast, and Ondo State to the west. The state splits into three broad zones: a forested coastal-plain belt around Benin City and the Benin, Ovia, and Osse river valleys in the south; a central plateau around the Esan LGAs; and drier, more open country in the north around Akoko-Edo and the Etsako LGAs. Okomu National Park, a rainforest reserve in Ovia South West, protects a stretch of the state’s remaining tropical forest and its wildlife. The climate is tropical, with a rainy season running roughly from April to October and a shorter dry season for the rest of the year. Rainfall is heaviest in the south and tapers off toward the drier northern LGAs bordering Kogi. The Niger River forms much of the state’s eastern boundary, and smaller streams and creeks feed local fishing and farming settlements throughout the Ovia and Orhionmwon river basins.

Economy & Local Life

Edo’s economy rests on agriculture, trade, and craft industry. Farmers in the southern LGAs grow rubber, oil palm, and cocoa on plantations that feed local processing mills, while the northern LGAs concentrate on yams, cassava, and other food crops for regional markets. Benin City remains the state’s commercial and administrative center, home to government offices, banks, and a large informal trading sector. The city is also known for the bronze casting and wood carving guilds of Igun Street, a craft tradition tracing back to the historic Benin Kingdom. Rubber processing, palm oil milling, and small-scale manufacturing employ workers across several LGAs, and the Benin-Auchi and Benin-Sapele roads carry heavy trade traffic linking the state to its neighbors. The ancient Benin Moats and the Oba’s palace draw visitors to Benin City alongside the everyday market trade that anchors most towns. Weekly and daily markets remain the main outlet for farm produce in the rural LGAs, and many families combine farming with small trading businesses to supplement household income. Skilled craftwork, from beadmaking to leatherwork, continues alongside the better-known bronze and wood carving trades of Benin City. Universities and colleges in Benin City and Ekpoma also draw students and staff from across the state and beyond, adding to local demand for housing, transport, and retail services.

FAQ

How many local government areas are in Edo State?

Edo State has 18 local government areas, grouped into three senatorial districts: Edo North, Edo Central, and Edo South.

What is the capital of Edo State?

The capital of Edo State is Benin City, also the state’s largest city and its administrative and commercial center.

What is the population of Edo State?

Edo State recorded a population of 3,233,366 at the 2006 census, projected to reach 4,777,000 by 2022.

Which LGA in Edo State has the largest population?

Oredo LGA, home to much of Benin City, has the largest population in Edo State, with 374,515 people at the 2006 census, projected to 553,300 by 2022.

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