US Commits $400,000 to Save Sungbo’s Eredo, Nigeria’s Vast Ancient Wall That Rivals the World’s Greatest Monuments

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In a landmark intervention to protect Nigeria’s cultural heritage, the United States Mission in Nigeria has approved a $400,000 grant for the preservation of Sungbo’s Eredo, the monumental ancient earthworks of the Yoruba Ijebu Kingdom in Ogun State.

The funding, awarded through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), is the largest AFCP grant ever allocated to Nigeria and the second-largest in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the site’s exceptional global importance.

Dating back to the late 14th century, Sungbo’s Eredo stretches across more than 160 kilometres (about 100 miles) in a vast looping system of massive earthen walls and deep trenches. Archaeologists and historians rank it among the largest single human-made structures on Earth, eclipsing many famous European fortifications in scale and complexity.

Constructed centuries before modern machinery, the earthworks demanded extraordinary coordination and labour, with millions of cubic metres of soil excavated and shaped by hand. Beyond serving as a defensive barrier, Sungbo’s Eredo symbolised political authority, spiritual power, and territorial control at the height of the Ijebu Kingdom.

Historical accounts suggest that Portuguese explorers in the 15th century were able to sight the structure from the sea—an enduring testament to its sheer size and prominence in the pre-colonial landscape.

Deeply woven into the monument’s history is the legend of Queen Oloye Bilikisu Sungbo, a powerful and enigmatic figure celebrated in Yoruba oral tradition. Some narratives associate her with the biblical Queen of Sheba, while others speak of sacred groves, hidden treasures, and a revered burial site believed to lie within the vast earthworks.

Despite its immense archaeological and cultural value, Sungbo’s Eredo has come under increasing threat from erosion, agricultural activity, urbanisation, and land encroachment, endangering large sections of the ancient structure.

The U.S.-backed conservation project will employ advanced remote-sensing and mapping technologies to document the earthworks, safeguard surviving sections, and boost international awareness of the technological sophistication and organisational capacity of pre-colonial African societies.

The initiative builds on previous AFCP-supported heritage projects in Nigeria, including rock art conservation and historic restorations, reinforcing a sustained commitment to preserving the nation’s rich past.

As Sungbo’s Eredo continues to snake silently through forests and farmlands, the ancient walls stand as a powerful reminder that Africa’s history is filled with monumental achievements—engineering feats, leadership, and ambition that rival the world’s most celebrated ancient wonders.