OBA EWUARE II AT 73: TEN YEARS OF ROYALTY, CULTURAL RENAISSANCE AND THE QUEST TO RESTORE BENIN’S GLORY

From Prince Eheneden Erediauwa to the throne of his ancestors, the story of a monarch preserving a great African heritage while shaping its future.

BENIN CITY, EDO STATE — October 20, 2026

On October 20, 1953, a prince was born into the royal family of the ancient Benin Kingdom. Today, 73 years later, that prince, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, celebrates ten years on the throne of his ancestors.

His journey from Prince Eheneden Erediauwa to the 40th Oba of Benin is a story of royal heritage, international diplomacy, cultural preservation and the continuing struggle to restore the glory of one of Africa’s most celebrated kingdoms.

As the Benin Kingdom marks his tenth coronation anniversary on October 20, 2026, the milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on the monarch’s life, his contributions and the challenges that remain before him and his people.

From royal prince to international diplomat

Born in Benin City on October 20, 1953, Eheneden Erediauwa is the son of the late Oba Erediauwa, who ruled the Benin Kingdom from 1979 until his death in April 2016.

Growing up in the royal household, he inherited a connection to a civilisation renowned for its sophisticated political institutions, magnificent bronze works, ivory carvings and rich cultural traditions.

However, his preparation for leadership extended beyond the palace. He attended schools in Benin City before pursuing further education in the United Kingdom and the United States, including studies at the University of Wales and Rutgers University.

Before ascending the throne, he served Nigeria as a diplomat, including as an ambassador to Sweden and in diplomatic assignments involving other countries. His international experience exposed him to global institutions, cross-cultural relations and the responsibilities of representing a nation’s interests abroad.

Those experiences would become valuable when he assumed leadership of a kingdom whose history and cultural treasures have international significance.

October 20, 2016: The making of Oba Ewuare II

Following the death of his father in April 2016, Eheneden Erediauwa emerged as his successor and was crowned Oba Ewuare II on October 20, 2016.

His royal name recalls Oba Ewuare I, the celebrated 15th-century monarch associated with the expansion and consolidation of the Benin Kingdom.

At his coronation, the new Oba emphasised justice, peace, unity, cultural preservation, tourism and opportunities for young people. His vision was to sustain the traditions of his ancestors while ensuring that the Benin Kingdom remained relevant in a changing world.

Ten years later, those priorities provide a framework for examining his reign.

The Benin Bronzes: Fighting to bring history home

One of the most significant cultural issues of Oba Ewuare II’s reign has been the campaign to recover Benin artefacts looted during the British invasion of 1897.

Thousands of bronze and brass plaques, royal heads, ivory carvings and other treasured objects were taken from Benin City and dispersed among museums and private collections around the world.

For the Edo people, these artefacts represent more than artistic masterpieces. They embody ancestral memory, royal history, spiritual traditions and the remarkable craftsmanship of their forebears.

The Oba has continued to advocate their return, working alongside Nigerian authorities and other stakeholders.

Important milestones have included the return of Benin artefacts associated with the University of Aberdeen and Jesus College, Cambridge, in 2022; the Netherlands’ return of 119 objects in 2025; and the return of 18 artefacts from Switzerland in 2026.

Although the restitution process remains incomplete, these developments have strengthened international attention on Benin’s cultural heritage.

The campaign is among the most visible themes of his reign, reinforcing the importance of restoring not only the kingdom’s treasures but also the historical connections they represent.

Preserving Benin history and tradition

Beyond the recovery of artefacts, Oba Ewuare II’s reign has placed emphasis on documenting Benin history and preserving its cultural identity.

Historical publications associated with the palace, including The Benin Monarch: An Anthology of Benin History, popularly known as The Red Book, and the Oba Erediauwa Memorial Lecture Series have contributed to efforts to preserve knowledge of the kingdom and its royal heritage.

The wider task includes protecting the Edo language, sustaining traditional ceremonies and ensuring that younger generations understand the history behind their customs.

Benin’s bronze-casting and carving traditions remain central to this mission. The challenge is to ensure that traditional artisans have the opportunities and support needed to pass their skills to future generations.

For the Oba, preserving the past must mean keeping it alive in the present.

Promoting peace and confronting social challenges

Oba Ewuare II has also used the influence of his office to address social concerns, including community disputes and human trafficking.

Edo State has long faced challenges associated with the exploitation of vulnerable young people through false promises of employment and opportunities abroad. The Oba has spoken against trafficking and used traditional authority to reinforce efforts to discourage exploitation.

His interventions form part of a broader response involving law-enforcement agencies, government institutions and civil society organisations.

His reign has also emphasised peace, unity and the traditional institution’s role in community life. These responsibilities are particularly important in a modern society where traditional rulers operate alongside elected governments and formal judicial institutions.

The ultimate measure of such interventions lies in their lasting impact on community welfare, justice and public safety.

Education, tourism and the future of the kingdom

The monarch’s public service has also extended to education. He has served as chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria and Bayero University, Kano, linking the traditional institution with Nigeria’s academic community.

Tourism and cultural development have likewise featured among the priorities outlined at his coronation. Benin’s royal palace, historic traditions, traditional arts and internationally recognised heritage offer opportunities to attract visitors and support local enterprise.

Yet the lasting success of cultural promotion will depend on whether it creates meaningful opportunities for young people, traditional artists and local businesses.

The challenge is to translate Benin’s historical prestige into sustainable cultural, educational and economic benefits for its people.

Ten years on: A legacy still being written

As Oba Ewuare II marks a decade on the throne, his reign presents a combination of cultural advocacy, historical preservation, public engagement and unfinished responsibilities.

His diplomatic background has provided an international dimension to his kingship, while his advocacy for the return of Benin artefacts has helped sustain a global conversation about colonial injustice and cultural restitution.

Nevertheless, many artefacts remain outside Nigeria. The preservation of traditional craftsmanship, the transmission of historical knowledge and the creation of opportunities for younger generations also remain important challenges.

A monarch’s legacy is not measured by ceremonies alone, but by the strength of the institutions, traditions and communities he leaves behind.

For Oba Ewuare II, the task is to ensure that the Benin Kingdom’s extraordinary past continues to inspire its future.

The crown, the kingdom and the verdict of history

On this tenth coronation anniversary, the story of Oba Ewuare II is also the story of the Benin people: a people determined to preserve their identity, reclaim their heritage and pass their history to generations yet unborn.

He inherited a throne shaped by centuries of royal tradition and artistic excellence. His responsibility is to ensure that this inheritance remains meaningful in a modern world.

Ten years into his reign, the crown remains a symbol of continuity, while the work of cultural restoration, social development and historical preservation continues.

The ultimate verdict of history will depend on what endures beyond the celebrations: the heritage recovered, the traditions preserved, the lives improved and the opportunities created for the future.

Oba ghato kpere, Ise