For centuries, the Benin Kingdom in what is now Edo State, Nigeria was one of the most important states of the forest region of West Africa. Founded in the 13th century, it flourished under rulers like Oba Ewuare the Great (c.1440–1473), who expanded its realm from the Niger Delta to near modern Lagos.
The kingdom was famed for its sophisticated system of government and world-class artistry: royal courts teemed with ivory and bronze craftsmen, and guilds ensured Benin bronzes and carved woodworks became prized across Europe. The Oba (king) was “the supreme political, judicial, economic, and spiritual leader of his people”. This fusion of power and spirituality, along with the kingdom’s vast walls and cultural influence, set Benin apart until the British sacking of Benin City in 1897. Even today, the Oba of Benin carries the weight of that heritage.
Ewuare II: The Scholar-Diplomat Monarch
When Eheneden Erediauwa became Oba Ewuare II in October 2016, he did so as a seasoned scholar and diplomat. Educated in Britain and the United States, Ewuare II earned an economics degree and a public administration master’s before entering Nigeria’s foreign service. He served at the United Nations and later as Nigeria’s ambassador to Angola, several Scandinavian countries, and Italy. That international experience has marked his reign. As the 40th Oba of Benin (the first was Oranmiyan in the 1200s), he was crowned with ceremony in 2016, surrounded by governors, foreign envoys and other traditional rulers. In his first address he praised his father, Oba Erediauwa, as “the true symbol of the culture and tradition of the Benin people”, pledging to carry forward centuries of legacy. His royal title, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, reflects his role as “trustee of the entire Edo nation.”
Champion of Culture and Language
Oba Ewuare II has made cultural preservation the cornerstone of his reign. At the very start, he urged Edo parents and schools to teach the Edo language and history to children. “Our culture and tradition remain the one main factor that the international community respect us for,” he declared, insisting that culture is the “only unifying force” of the Benin people. He has backed this with action: in 2017 he launched the Oba Ewuare II Foundation to reward students excelling in Edo language and history, awarding scholarships to dozens of young learners. He even supports modern education in Edo: in 2022 he praised a team of linguists who developed a way to do advanced mathematics in the Edo language, noting the project lets people “count in the language to infinity”. In short, the Oba blends ancient custom with contemporary needs. As he put it at his coronation: “We shall use cultural diplomacy as a veritable tool for harmonious relationship with our neighbours… We should strive to maintain our culture, especially our language”.
Diplomat of the Kingdom: The Benin Bronzes
A defining feature of Oba Ewuare II’s reign has been his international diplomacy to reclaim Benin’s stolen heritage. He has personally led efforts to have the famous Benin Bronzes returned from museums abroad. At public ceremonies, he speaks of these artworks as living symbols: in 2021 he thanked the University of Aberdeen for returning a bronze head, observing that the work was “imbued with the spirit of the people from whom it were taken,” and calling the return a “noble act”. Four years into his reign, Ewuare hailed a 2025 repatriation of 119 bronzes from the Netherlands as a “divine intervention,” saying the success was a “testament to the power of prayer and determination”. In fact, the Nigerian government officially recognized Oba Ewuare II as the “owner and custodian” of all looted Benin artworks in 2023. (Barnaby Phillips, author of Loot, explains this view: “For many Edo people, it is right and proper that such objects go back to the Oba, as they were looted from his great-great-grandfather”. The Oba has stated he intends to house the repatriated treasures in a new royal museum or palace, which he believes should be their permanent home.
Reforms and Modernization
Beyond culture, Ewuare II has pursued practical modernization. His first speech outlined sweeping reforms for Edo State: he immediately banned corrupt local development groups (CDAs), and championed new economic projects. Notably, he announced plans for an export-processing zone at Benin’s port (Gelegele) and a special marketplace for the poor. Edo State’s government has backed these moves, with the governor even legalizing the CDA ban. The Oba also leverages technology – for example, he supports digital tools to document Benin history – and routinely appeals to global partners for support in reviving Benin’s artistic industries. In short, Ewuare II positions the kingdom as both proud custodian of heritage and a participant in the 21st-century economy.
Spiritual Leadership and Social Vigilance
As the kingdom’s spiritual leader, Oba Ewuare II holds unique moral authority. He presides over traditional rituals (such as the annual Igue festival) that mark the Edo calendar, and he is believed to channel the spirits of past rulers for counsel. He has not hesitated to invoke that authority on social issues. In 2018 he famously issued a traditional curse against any Juju priest aiding human traffickers – an act that one analyst said might be “more effective” than all prior anti-trafficking efforts combined. Edo officials credited this curse with deterring trafficking rings and helping rescue Edo girls abroad. The Oba also fosters harmony: during contentious elections he has counseled peace, and he often prays publicly for Nigeria’s unity. Across his statements, there is a constant thread: blending faith, justice and progress.
Today’s Oba and the Road Ahead
In just a few years, Oba Ewuare II has combined centuries-old kingship with the demands of a modern leader. A “benign autocrat” in his words, he is expected to remain politically neutral but actively engaged in Edo’s welfare. He travels with aides to global events, meets diplomats at home, and even consults civic groups – always emphasizing Edo identity. As one observer notes, Ewuare II is an “urbane, cosmopolitan” monarch who nevertheless insists that “to survive, it is imperative that we should maintain our culture”. Whether restoring palace treasures or promoting local schools, he seeks to leave no part of Benin tradition behind while steering his people forward. For the Edo, the current Oba is at once guardian of a glorious past and a pathfinder for the future – a bridge between eras in one ancient African throne.