Economic ideas and state policies in Benin, c. 1440–1897

Idahosa Osagie Ojo

Economic History of Developing Regions, 2025, vol. 40, issue 2, 112-125

Abstract: This paper analyses economic ideas in Benin from c. 1440 to 1897 and how they shaped state economic policies that guided the day-to-day economic activities of the people. The existing literature on the economic history of Benin Kingdom in particular and Nigerian societies in general focuses on trade, agriculture, and industries, without any systematic enquiry into the ideas underpinning them. The resultant paucity of historiography on economic ideas and how they evolved into state economic policies is a dual lacuna in the economic history of precolonial Nigeria. The study shows that economic thought played a significant role in steering the practical and enforceable laws that guided everyday economic activities and contributed to the material success of the people and their Kingdom. Moreover, it is shown that these economic ideas underwent significant changes during the period of study. These vicissitudes are more noticeable between the periods of magnificence that followed Oba Ewuare (1440–1473) the Great’s accomplishments, and the civil wars, crises, and decline at the eve of British conquest.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/20780389.2025.2503734

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