Edo State, located in Nigeria’s South South region, was formed on August 27, 1991, from Bendel State with Benin City as its capital. Edo State is 19,794 square km and alongside its strategic position, connects Nigeria’s South South and South West regions.
The state is made up of 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Edo State’s 18 LGAs continue to be recognized and maintained by the state government, and by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with administrative offices separate for each LGA.
Given Edo State’s strategic position as a section of the Niger Delta, it is characterized by forests and rivers and hosts urban centers and agricultural zones.
Edo State is bounded by Kogi State to the north and northeast, Ondo State to the west, Delta State to the south and southeast, and Anambra State to the east.
List of the 18 LGAs in Edo State
The Edo State Government identifies the following 18 Local Government Areas and their administrative headquarters.
| No. | Local Government Area | Administrative Headquarters |
| 1 | Akoko Edo | Igarra |
| 2 | Egor | Uselu |
| 3 | Esan Central | Irrua |
| 4 | Esan North East | Uromi |
| 5 | Esan South East | Ubiaja |
| 6 | Esan West | Ekpoma |
| 7 | Etsako Central | Fugar |
| 8 | Etsako East | Agenebode |
| 9 | Etsako West | Auchi |
| 10 | Igueben | Igueben |
| 11 | Ikpoba Okha | Idogbo |
| 12 | Oredo | Benin City |
| 13 | Orhionmwon | Abudu |
| 14 | Ovia North East | Okada |
| 15 | Ovia South West | Iguobazuwa |
| 16 | Owan East | Afuze |
| 17 | Owan West | Sabongida Ora |
| 18 | Uhunmwonde | Ehor |
1. Akoko Edo Local Government Area
Headquarters: Igarra
The northernmost LGA of Edo State is Akoko Edo. This considers the area’s distance from the state’s capital and the extent of the area, making Akoko Edo one of Edo State’s largest LGAs. The area’s headquarters is Igarra.
This LGA consists of rural communities and agricultural land and is forested with hills. The local economy involves agriculture and rural activities such as crop farming.
The northern part of Edo State is also culturally diverse and is home to the Akoko Edo People. The Akoko Edo People’s traditions and dialects make up the cultural diversity of Northern Edo State.
2. Egor Local Government Area
Headquarters: Uselu
The Egor Local Government region is located within the Benin City Metropolitan region. Its headquarter is Uselu.
Egor is a highly urbanized environment compared to numerous largely rural LGAs in Edo State due to its close association with Benin City. The LGA has good residential communities, markets, schools, companies and public institutions.
Commerce, education, transportation, services and small business are major components of the local economy.
3. Esan Central Local Government Area
Irrua (Head Office)
Esan Central is located in the central region of Edo State and has its administrative headquarters in Irrua.
Irrua is a major town in the Esan region and is a commercial, administrative and healthcare center for neighboring settlements.
Agriculture continues to be a major economic sector with individuals engaged in crop cultivation, commerce and other rural industries.
Esan Central is largely linked with the Esan people, one of the major ethnic groupings in Edo State.
4. Esan North East Local Government Area.
Uromi Head Office:
Esan North East is located in Uromi, a big town in the center part of Edo State.
Uromi is an important commercial, educational and cultural center in the Esan region. The town is a service center for the neighboring agricultural community, and offers a wide range of markets, companies and public institutions.
Commerce and services, together with agriculture, are still key sectors of the local economy.
5. Esan South East Local Govt. Area
Head Office: Ubiaja.
Esan South East lies in the central area of Edo State with its administrative seat in Ubiaja.
The major economy of the LGA is Agriculture. Small business and local trading and farming are vital sources of livelihood.
Ubiaja is also a significant town in the Esan cultural zone and is the administrative center of the LGA.
6. Esan West Local Govt Area
Headquarters: Ekpoma
The Headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area is at Ekomma.
Ekpoma is one of the most known towns in Edo State and is where Ambrose Alli University, a major institution of higher learning is located.
Education, commerce, agriculture and services sustain the economy of the LGA. The university community in Ekpoma also brings a rather significant student and service economy to the area.
7. Etsako Central LGA
Headquarters: Fugar
Etsako Central is in the northern part of Edo State with its headquarters at Fugar.
The LGA is part of the larger Afemai culture zone. Agriculture and trade are key economic activities, with rural communities growing a variety of commodities and participating in local markets.
Fugar is the administrative headquarter of the LGA.
8. Local Government Area, Etsako East
Headquarters: Agenebode,
Etsako East is a Local Government Area of Edo State Nigeria located in the northern part of the state with its headquarters at Agenebode.
Agenebode is located close to the River Niger and hence has had historical and economic links with river transportation, fishing and trading.
Agriculture and trade are still essential for local populations. The major inhabitants of the LGA are the Afemai people.
9. Etsako West LGA
Headquarters: Auchi
Auchi, one of the largest and most commercialized towns in northern Edo State, is the administrative center of Etsako West.
Auchi is a significant center of education, commerce and transit. It houses the famous Auchi Polytechnic, one of the major polytechnics in Nigeria.
It is an important trading center for the northern Edo area and its environs. Agriculture, trade, education and services largely contribute to the local economy.
The Etsako West LGA INEC office is located in Auchi.
10. Igueben Local Government Area (LGA)
Igueben Headquarters
Igueben LGA is situated in the center part of Edo State and has its headquarters at Igueben.
The area is mostly rural and agricultural. Local trade and farming are key sources of livelihood.
Igueben is located in the Esan cultural region and adds to the rich cultural diversity of Edo State.
11. Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area
Headquarter: Idogo
Ikpoba Okha lies in the greater Benin City metropolitan region, with Idogbo as its headquarters.
Its close proximity to Benin City has spurred residential development, trade, manufacturing, transportation and other economic activity.
The location is also connected with the main routes to other parts of southern Nigeria.
12. Oredo Local Govt Area
Headquarters: Benin City
Oredo Local Government Area occupies a large area of Benin City, the capital of Edo State.
Benin City is the major administrative, commercial and cultural hub in the state. Oredo is home to important government offices, businesses, marketplaces, schools, hotels, cultural organizations and other urban infrastructure.
The city is also historically important as the hub of the old Benin Kingdom, known for its traditional institutions, bronze art works and cultural treasures.
13. Orhionmwon Local Govt Area
HQ: Abudu
Orhionmwon is one of the bigger LGAs in southern Edo State with its headquarters at Abudu.
The LGA comprises a large expanse of agricultural land and forest. Farming is a major economic activity where crops like cassava, yam, plantain and other food crops are grown in different areas.
Orhionmwon also forms part of the Benin cultural area with numerous communities having historical links to the Benin Kingdom.
14. Ovia North East L.G.A
Headquarters: Okada
Ovia North East is in the southern part of Edo State and its headquarters is at Okada.
The economy of the LGA is dominated by agriculture although large woodland and rural villages are found there.
Okada is a major town along the Benin City to Lagos transportation corridor. The area gains from road links and the business activity associated with the main route.
15. Ovia Southwest Local Government Area
HQ: Iguobazuwa
Ovia South West is in the southern section of Edo State with Iguobazuwa as its administrative center.
LGA is dominated by large tracts of agriculture and woodland. Farming, forestry and local commerce are key sources of income.
It is also tied to the greater biological environment of the Niger Delta and is home to villages with significant natural resources.
16. Owan East Local Government Area
Headquarters: Afuze
Owan East is a Local Government Area in northern Edo State with its headquarters at Afuze.
Economy . The LGA is primarily agricultural . In its rural communities farming and local trade are key activities.
Owan East is culturally linked with the Owan people, an ethnic group among the major ethnic communities of Edo State.
17. Owan West Local Government Area
HQ: Sabongida Ora
Owan West’s headquarters is Sabongida Ora in the northern part of Edo State.
The LGA is recognized for its agricultural production and rural villages. The local economy is supported by farming, trading and small businesses.
Sabongida Ora is a major commercial center in the area and serves neighboring settlements.
The office of the INEC in Owan West LGA is located at Sabongida Ora.
18. Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.
Head office: Ehor
Uhunmwonde, a local government area in southern Edo State with its administrative center in Ehor.
The LGA has a strong agricultural basis with farming and related rural activities supporting local livelihoods.
Its location along the Benin-Auchi corridor also provides it transit and commercial importance.
Senatorial Districts and Distribution
The 18 LGAs of Edo State are distributed across three senatorial districts as follows:
Edo South Senatorial District – 7 LGAs
- LGAs: Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Oredo, Orhionmwon, Ovia North-East, Ovia South-West, Uhunmwonde
- This district encompasses the state capital, Benin City, and is the most populous and economically vibrant region of the state
Edo Central Senatorial District – 5 LGAs
- LGAs: Esan Central, Esan North-East, Esan South-East, Esan West, Igueben
- Predominantly inhabited by the Esan (Ishan) people
Edo North Senatorial District – 6 LGAs
- LGAs: Akoko-Edo, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Etsako West, Owan East, Owan West
- Also known as the Afemai region
The headquarters (collation centre) of Edo North is Auchi in Etsako West LGA
Background: History of Edo State’s LGAs
Edo State’s administrative evolution reflects Nigeria’s broader state creation history:
- 27th August 1991: Edo State was created from the former Bendel State (which was itself carved out from the defunct Western Region) by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.
- Pre-1991: Before its creation, the area now known as Edo State comprised the old Bendel North and South senatorial districts.
- Present: Since its creation, Edo State has maintained 18 Local Government Areas, a number that has remained stable for over three decades.
The state is peopled by five main ethnic groups: the Bini, Afemai, Esan, Owan, and Akoko-Edo. The Edo-speaking people occupy seven of the 18 LGAs.
Demographics and Geography
Edo State covers a total land area of approximately 17,802 square kilometres. The state is bordered by:
- North: Kogi State
- East: Kogi and Anambra States
- South: Delta State
- West: Ondo State
The state has a population of 3,218,332 (2006 census), with more recent projections suggesting higher figures. The population is distributed across 18 LGAs, with the highest concentrations in the Benin metropolitan area (Oredo, Egor, and Ikpoba-Okha LGAs).
Major cities in Edo State include Benin City (the capital), Auchi, Ekpoma, Uromi, Irrua, and Sabongida-Ora.
Edo’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, rubber, timber, and oil palm. The state is also rich in natural resources, including limestone, granite, and kaolin. Tourism is a growing sector, with attractions including the Oba’s Palace in Benin City, the Benin Moat, and the Igun Bronze Casters.
Conclusion
The 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Edo State play an important role in the state’s administrative, cultural and economic development. The LGAs cover the northern communities in Akoko Edo, Etsako and Owan as well as the central Esan region and the southern Edo State’s urban and agricultural communities.
The 18 LGAs include Akoko Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East, Esan West, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Etsako West, Igueben, Ikpoba Okha, Oredo, Orhionmwon, Ovia North East, Ovia South West, Owan East, Owan West and Uhunmwonde.
The state capital, Benin City, which is in the Oredo LGA, boasts Edo State’s main administrative and commercial activities. Other important towns and centers in the state, including Auchi, Ekpoma, Uromi, Irrua and Agbor, have a positive effect on regional trade, education and the economy.
Knowledge of the 18 LGAs and their headquarters is useful to someone interested in the administrative structure of Edo State, students, researchers, travelers and businesses.
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