EKITI AT 30: A PEOPLE, A HERITAGE, A DESTINYBy Comr. Ajayi Adewale Victor | Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje LGA

As Ekiti State prepares to mark 30 years of its creation on October 1st, 1996 – October 1st, 2026, it is time to tell our story. A story of a resilient, educated, and deeply cultural people.

This is not just history. It is our identity.

1. WHO ARE WE? THE EKITI BEFORE EKITI STATE

Long before Nigeria, there was Ekiti. The name Ekiti is derived from the rugged, hilly terrain – “Ile Olokiti” – the land of hills. We were never a single kingdom, we were a powerful confederation.

Historians record the Ekiti Confederacy as one of the most organized in Yorubaland, comprising over 120 ancient kingdoms with their own Obas. Among them: Ado, Ikere, Ijero, Ikole, Ise, Emure, Oye, Otun, Aramoko, Efon, Ilawe, etc. Our unity was tested during the 19th Century Kiriji War (1877-1893), where Ekiti warriors stood together under the great Ekitiparapo to resist Ibadan domination. That war defined our spirit: we do not bow easily.

2. THE LONG WALK TO STATE CREATION

After colonial rule, Ekiti was in the Western Region, then Ondo State after its creation in 1976. For 20 years, our fathers led by late Maj. Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo, late Prof. David Oke, late Chief Deji Fasuan and others cried for our own state.

Their argument was simple: Ekiti is distinct. We have the largest concentration of professors, teachers and educated people in Nigeria. Our land is homogeneous, our language is one, our aspiration is one.

On October 1, 1996, the prayer was answered. The then Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, created Ekiti State from Ondo State with Ado Ekiti as capital. It started with 16 Local Government Areas.

3. 30 YEARS OF GOVERNANCE – OUR JOURNEY

In 30 years, we have grown:

• Col. Atanda Yusuf (1996-1998) and Navy Capt. Emmanuel Akin-Fernandez (1998-1999) laid the foundation as Military Administrators.
• Otunba Niyi Adebayo (1999-2003) – Our first elected Governor. He gave us structure, established Ekiti State University and set the pace for civil service.
• Mr. Ayo Fayose (2003-2006 & 2014-2018) – A grassroots populist who brought stomach infrastructure and urban touch to Ado.
• Chief Segun Oni (2007-2010) – The technocrat who brought due process and educational reform.
• Dr. Kayode Fayemi (2010-2014 & 2018-2022) – The intellectual who restored Ekiti values, free education, social security for elders, and Ekiti Knowledge Zone.
• H.E Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (2022 till date) – The continuity man. BAO brought the 6-point agenda and has connected Ekiti to prosperity, peace and shared prosperity.

4. WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL?

Ekiti is not the richest in oil, but we are the richest in brain.

• Education: Ekiti has the highest number of professors per capita in Nigeria. In every home, education is a religion. This is why we are called “Fountain of Knowledge”.
• Culture & Values: We are deeply respectful, hardworking, and God-fearing. Our Obas are custodians of culture – The Ewi of Ado, The Ajero of Ijero, The Ogoga of Ikere, The Oloye of Oye, The Alaaye of Efon, The Owa-Ajero and over 120 others.
• Geography: We are the land of hills, waterfalls – Ikogosi Warm Spring, Arinta Waterfalls, Fajuyi Park, Olosunta Hills. We are blessed with fertile land for cocoa, kolanut, cassava and rice.

We now have 16 LGAs and 22 LCDAs, with over 3.5 million industrious people.

5. BEYOND 30 – THE EKITI DREAM

At 30, Ekiti is no longer a baby. The question is no longer “Can Ekiti survive?” but “How will Ekiti lead?”

The future Ekiti must be built on:

• Knowledge Economy – turning our brains to wealth.
• Agriculture and Tourism.
• Unity between Ekiti North, South and Central.

Ekiti is one. From Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje to Ikere, from Otun to Emure, we are one people with one destiny.

As we celebrate @30, I salute all our heroes past and present. May Ekiti rise higher.

God bless Ekiti State!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Comr. Ajayi Adewale Victor
Youth Advocate, Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje LGA
Ekiti North Senatorial District