Benin City

General Information

Benin City is the capital and largest city of Edo state. It is situated on a branch of the Benin River in the southern part of Nigeria. The city is estimated to have a population of 1,086,882 people (Census 2006). The principal inhabitants of the city are the Bini people, most of whom are Christian.

Year of Creation

13th Century

Important Landmark

Benin City is the leading home of arts and culture in Nigeria.

Maternal Health Indicators

Maternal Mortality Ratio:

• 700/100,000 live births

Infant Mortality Rate:

• 100/1,000 live births

HIV Prevalence:

• 5.2%

Family Planning Use

Family Planning services are available at PHC, secondary and tertiary health levels.

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

• 23%

Unmet Need for Family Planning

• 20%

Infrastructure

Educational Institutions

Tertiary institutions include University of Benin, Benson Idahosa University, Wellspring University, and Shaka Polytechnic.  Others include Adesuwa Girls' Grammar School, Adolo College, Aduwa Community Secondary School, Aduwawa Secondary School, Akenzua Secondary School, and Imaguero Primary School among others.

Primary Health Facilities

There are 37 Primary Health Care facilities in the city, with each local government having at least one to two on the average.

Private Health Facilities

Benin City enjoys the largest presence of private health facilities in Edo state. Amongst them are Benoni Hospital, Banbi Hospital, and Faith Medicals.

Demographic Information

Total Population

The city is estimated to have a population of 1,086,882

Occupational Status of the Community

Craft work and agriculture are the main occupations of the people of Benin-City.  The climate in the city favors the cultivation of crops like maize, yam, cassava, plantain, palm produce, rubber, and cocoa. There are a number of government farm settlements in and around the city.