South South
Edo State
Capital: Benin City · Created 1991 · ≈4.9 million · Area 17,802 km²
Population
≈4.9 million
Size
17,802 km²
Capital
Benin City
Year created
1991
Geopolitical zone
South South
Languages
Edo (Bini) · Esan · Owan · Etsako · English
Ethnic groups
- Edo (Bini)
- Esan
- Afemai (Etsako, Owan, Akoko-Edo)
Natural resources
- Crude oil
- Marble
- Limestone
- Chalk
- Gold
- Bitumen
Signature foods
- Owo soup with pounded yam
- Black soup (banga with bitter leaf)
- Ukhodo (yam pepper soup)
- Ogbono soup
Notable people
- Oba of Benin (traditional ruler — one of the oldest monarchies)
- Sunday Oliseh (footballer)
- Anthony Joshua (boxer, Edo heritage)
- Nosa Igiebor (footballer)
- Osas Ighodaro (actress)
Culture, values & festivals
- Igue festival — annual Oba's blessing of the land
- Bronze-casting tradition (Igun Street, UNESCO consideration)
- Benin Empire heritage (900+ years)
- Distinctive Edo dress with coral beads
Top places to visit in Edo
- 1
Benin National Museum
Home to remaining Benin Bronzes not looted; expanding after repatriations.
- 2
Oba's Palace, Benin City
Working royal palace, moats, and ancestral shrines.
- 3
Igun Bronze Casters' Street
Guild of bronze artisans dating to the 13th century.
- 4
Somorika Hills
Scenic hills in Akoko-Edo — hiking and traditional villages.
- 5
Emotan Statue
Landmark statue honouring the market-woman heroine who saved Oba Ewuare.
About the South South
Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers. Niger Delta, oil belt, mangrove creeks, Calabar carnival.