Ikorodu is the second largest local government area in Lagos State with an estimated population of about 2 million people. It is an Ijebu-speaking subgroup of the Yoruba people living in the present Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State. Available evidence suggests that this settlement must have been founded by immigrants from the Ijebuland interior in the 17th century, Ikorodu: “Ile Kekere Oko Ile Bantata” Meaning: A small town that is the boss of a big city.
This article contains the history and facts about Ikorodu.
Origin and early settlement
Originally, the name “Ikorodu” is derived from two words: OKO-ODU which means farm of plant species (ODU) (OKO). ODU means “something that blackens,” and the name ODU was given because this plant was discovered to have blackening power and was used to dye fabrics. It is important to note that the occupation of early Ikorodu women was to dye cloth following the discovery of the dyeing power of the ODU plant.
People are very hardworking and sociable. This may be due to their socio-economic interactions with Lagos residents from around the time of the Benin invasion of coastal Yorubaland. Particularly during the dynastic crisis in the mid-19th century, some of the residents of Lagos also established fishing settlements on the Ikorodu coast, linking Ikorodu and Lagos.
The children first settled in Agbere Ikoro (Agbore), the current site of NITEL, and from there they shuttled to OKO-ODU for farming and hunting. However, it soon became clear that it would be difficult to go hunting and return from the forest to go to her OKO-ODU farm again.
The family consulted and decided that there was no particular reason to confine themselves to Agbore and farm in OKO-ODU. Oga and his family moved to his farm OKO-ODU, they settled permanently. The village continues to grow as a hub for Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Epe, and others. Oga has grown so much in his status and social relationships that the villagers decide to make him the Oroha of OKO-ODU.
Both Oga and Rasunwon were warriors and always organized the defense of their places and ensured the good running of OKO-ODU. When the eldest son Oga was appointed Oloha, his younger brother Rasunwon was crowned Odofin of OKO-ODU.
The title of Oroha is usually given to elders who live at market intersections frequented by merchants from neighboring villages. Equivalent to a market supervisor or “market master”.
Soon after, a large force of Benin immigrants arrived overland via Iki in Ogun State (nearly all the land in the state is owned by the Orisa family of Ikorodu). This group of Beninese was led by a wealthy and powerful man named Elegbowa (now called Lebugbawa in Ikorodu), who was from the ancient royal family of Oriha in Benin City. In Benin, ele means “king” and wa means peace and prosperity.
The Beninese settled in friendship with the Akaribo children and the farm began to develop into a large-scale operation. This was around 1630. The establishment of the Obaship was recognized by the Akaribo Line and the Orisaship was recognized by the Benin settlers.
In effect, the Oba became the ruling monarch and Orisa the kingmaker and prime minister of the city-state. Before the arrival of the Beninese, the Oga were the chiefs of the settlement.
Ikorodu is the fastest growing suburb near the Lagos metropolis, due in part to the influx of people from the surrounding towns and villages of Ikorodu, attracted by its proximity to Lagos. The key to Ikorodu’s stability may have been the legal recognition granted only to his two ruling houses, the Rademo royal family and the Lasunwon royal family. To date, both ruling parties have produced 18 traditional rulers.
The first recognized traditional ruler was Rasunwon. After his death, Rademo seized power. There was Lugbekan (from Lassunwon). Dotel (Rasunwon), Kaal (Rasunwon). Oguntade 1 (Lademo); Petu (Lademo); Quinu (Lademo). Ireshe (Rashnwon). Forest idol (Rademo). Orelaya (Rademo); Ogunlar (Lasongwon). Aina Odubote (Rademo); Arab Spring (Lasunwon). Ajayi Ougebe (Rasunwon). Adenaike Seo (Rasunwon). Samuel Oladega (Rasunwon). The current traditional ruler, His Highness Oba Salau Oyefusi, is from Rademo and the third generation is from Ayangburen.
Ikorodu is originally a vast forest located a few kilometers north of the Lagos Lagoon and was once a walled city less than 10 kilometers north of the Atlantic Ocean. Ikorodu itself was bounded to the east on both sides by the Ota-Ona and Awolowo roads up to Itamaja, including Ojolu and Agbele. On the west side is Aiyeluja, on both sides of Ayambule road to Oke-Oriya stretching to Solomade, Etunlenlen, Lowa, and Olori, and on both sides of Lagos road to Owutu junction.
The extension to the north runs along both sides of Sagamu Road to the sawmill and beyond to Odognyan. To the south, Gbasemo extends to Aga and connects with Owode, Oriu road, and Ipakorodo-Igbogbo road to Sorahun (Ijomu district).
The area was first used by Orisa Gaom (Sagam), son of Akarikbo Koyel (King) of Oril Offin. Oduduwa of Ile-Ife Olusoga (Oga), one of the sons of Lasunwon, Rademo, Anoko, Osonusi, Oladepo and Sekumade. These were the children of Akaribo, who used vast areas for hunting and farming.
The vegetation in this area was mainly his ODU crops, so they called this area his ODU farm, meaning OKO-ODU (OKO-ODU), and in the Remo accent, he was called OKORODU. Due to years of careless use, it is now called Ikorodu. The city is also known for its rich cultural heritage and hosts several traditional festivals such as the Eyo Festival and the Igunuko Festival.
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Most Interesting Facts about Ikorodu
Below are some interesting facts about Ikorodu for those who know little or nothing about it.
1. It is the 12th largest city in Nigeria
Ikorodu has joined the club of cities with a population of one million or more based on United Nations population estimates and metropolitan agglomeration projections. With an estimated population of 1,041,166 in 2022, Ikorodu is currently Nigeria’s 12th largest city.
Ikorodu’s population is currently growing at an annual rate of 5.26% and by 2035 it is expected to reach 1.7 million people.
2. The third largest city in the Southwest
Ikorodu is currently the third largest city in southwestern Nigeria after Lagos and Ibadan. It is more populous than several state capitals including Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun.
3. The second most populous local government area in Lagos.
Ikorodu is the second largest local government area in Lagos State with an estimated population of over one million.
4. It has the largest power plant in Nigeria.
Egbin Power Plc is Nigeria’s largest power plant with an installed capacity of 1,320 MW, consisting of six units of 220 MW each. The railway station is located at Ijede/Egbin, Ikorodu. Located approximately 40 km north-east of Lagos, in the Ijede lowlands surrounded by the lagoon to the south and Agric/Gberigbe to the north, it is within the Ijede Local Council Development Area.
5. It has two of the major universities in Nigeria.
Ikorodu is home to his two major universities in Nigeria:
- Caleb University is a center of teaching, learning, and research and is consistently ranked in the top 10 most popular private universities in Nigeria.
- The Lagos State University of Science and Technology (formerly LASPOTECH), as the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, serves the people of Lagos, the country, and the world, catering to the needs of its students and alumni. Targeted education as well as specialized education, experiential learning, and research will be provided.
Learning these interesting facts about Ikorodu will make you even more excited to see this beautiful city and all the fun it has to offer.
Another cool fact about Ikorodu is that it is one of the five local government areas of Lagos State, located in the northeast along the Lagos Lagoon and bordering Ogun State.
It consists of the Ikorodu Local Government Area and five local government development areas including Igbogbo Bayeku, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Imota, and Ijede.
Ikorodu is also her second largest local government area in Lagos State and is considered the fastest-growing suburb near the Lagos metropolis.
References: Nigeriagallera.com, Onwar.com, Propertypto.ng, ikoroduonline.com.ng
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