ABSTRACT
The Oba of Benin, is the traditional ruler of the Edo people and all Edo people and head of the historic Eweka dynasty of the Benin Empire – a West African empire centered on Benin City, in Modern-day Nigeria, the ancient Benin homeland (not to be confused with the modern-day and Unrelated Republic of Benin, which was then known as Dahomey) has been and continues to be mostly populated by the Edo (also known as the Bini or Benin ethnic group) the title of Oba was used after the Ogiso title and was created by Oba Oranmiyan, Benin Empire’s first ‘Oba’.
There has been change in the role of traditional rulers in Edo State as its applies to community development, since the introduction of local government reforms of 1976 in the said reforms, leadership roles were clearly expressed, which states that it is not the intention of government to destroy the organic unity of the traditional institutions. The traditional emirate and chiefdom will remain, although their functions will be changed to accord with the present day circumstances.
Although the paramount of chiefs was undone by colonial rule, traditional rulers have served as important adjuncts in the administration of post-colonial government in both Nigeria and Africa.
