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🏠 Local Government Areas • South South

Edo State
Local Government Areas

Edo State has 19 Local Government Areas (LGAs), each with its own council, headquarters and elected officials. The state capital is Benin City.

19 Total LGAs
3 Senatorial Districts
3,299,000 Population (2006 Census)
StateEdo
CapitalBenin City
ZoneSouth South
LGAs19
Districts3
19 of 19 LGAs
Edo Central 6 LGAs
Edo LGA
Esan Central
HQ: Irrua
Pop: 128,000 (2006)
Known for rubber and cocoa plantations. Home to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.
Edo LGA
Esan North East
HQ: Uromi
Pop: 150,000 (2006)
Known for the Uromi kingdom and rubber farming. Important commercial LGA in central Edo.
Edo LGA
Esan South East
HQ: Ubiaja
Pop: 105,000 (2006)
Known for rubber, cocoa and the Ubiaja kingdom. Agricultural LGA in southeastern Edo.
Edo LGA
Esan West
HQ: Ekpoma
Pop: 200,000 (2006)
Home to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. Major educational centre in Edo State.
Edo LGA
Igeben
HQ: Igeben
Pop: 95,000 (2006)
Small LGA known for rubber farming and the Igeben people cultural heritage.
Edo LGA
Igueben
HQ: Igueben
Pop: 90,000 (2006)
Known for bronze crafts tradition and the Igueben kingdom, a branch of the great Benin kingdom.
Edo North 6 LGAs
Edo LGA
Akoko-Edo
HQ: Igarra
Pop: 190,000 (2006)
Known for Igarra, a gateway to Kogi State. Rich in cultural heritage of the Akoko-Edo people.
Edo LGA
Etsako Central
HQ: Fugar
Pop: 110,000 (2006)
Known for the Etsako people and yam, cassava farming. Gateway LGA in north-central Edo.
Edo LGA
Etsako East
HQ: Auchi
Pop: 230,000 (2006)
Home to Auchi, a major commercial city. Auchi Polytechnic is one of Nigerias largest polytechnics.
Edo LGA
Etsako West
HQ: Agenebode
Pop: 145,000 (2006)
Riverine LGA on the River Niger, known for fishing, yam farming and cross-river trade.
Edo LGA
Owan East
HQ: Afuze
Pop: 130,000 (2006)
Known for cocoa, rubber and timber. The Owan people have strong cultural traditions in northern Edo.
Edo LGA
Owan West
HQ: Sabongida-Ora
Pop: 110,000 (2006)
Known for cocoa farming and the Ora people. One of the major cocoa-producing LGAs in Edo.
Edo South 7 LGAs
Edo LGA
Egor
HQ: Egor
Pop: 336,000 (2006)
Part of the Benin metropolis. Known for dense residential areas, markets and proximity to Benin City centre.
Edo LGA
Ikpoba-Okha
HQ: Ikpoba-Okha
Pop: 280,000 (2006)
Peri-urban LGA around Benin City. Hosts major industries and the Benin Industrial Estate.
Edo LGA
Oredo
HQ: Benin City
Pop: 400,000 (2006)
Heart of Benin City, the Edo State capital. Home to the historic Benin Royal Palace and Obas court.
Edo LGA
Orhionmwon
HQ: Abudu
Pop: 175,000 (2006)
Agricultural LGA south of Benin City, known for rubber plantations and the Orhionmwon people.
Edo LGA
Ovia North East
HQ: Okada
Pop: 185,000 (2006)
Home to Benson Idahosa University and Edo University. Growing educational hub near Benin City.
Edo LGA
Ovia South West
HQ: Iguobazuwa
Pop: 115,000 (2006)
Forest LGA known for rubber, timber and the Ovia River. Important agricultural zone southwest of Benin.
Edo LGA
Uhunmwonde
HQ: Uhunmwonde
Pop: 125,000 (2006)
Agricultural LGA southeast of Benin City, known for rubber, cassava and palm oil production.
Frequently Asked Questions — Edo State LGAs

Edo State has 19 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Each LGA has its own elected council, a chairman, and a headquarters town. They are responsible for grassroots governance, primary education, primary healthcare, and rural infrastructure.

Edo State is divided into 3 senatorial districts. Each district is represented by a senator in the Nigerian National Assembly and comprises several LGAs. The districts in Edo State are: Edo Central, Edo North, Edo South.

Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria are the third tier of government. Their constitutional responsibilities include:

  • Primary and adult education
  • Primary healthcare and maternal services
  • Local roads and drains
  • Markets, motor parks and public conveniences
  • Refuse disposal and environmental sanitation
  • Naming of streets and numbering of houses
  • Collection of local taxes and rates
LGAs receive monthly allocations from the Federation Account (FAAC) and generate internally through rates and fees.

Each LGA is headed by an elected Local Government Chairman, who serves as the chief executive of the council. The legislative arm is the Legislative Council, made up of elected councillors representing each ward. The council appoints supervisory councillors (equivalent to commissioners) to head departments like education, health and works.

The headquarters of a Local Government Area is the principal town or city where the council secretariat (local government secretariat) is located. It is where the chairman's office, legislative hall, and most council departments are based. The headquarters is usually the largest or most central town in the LGA.