Ìlàje is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Igbokoda. The Ilajes are a distinct migratory coastal linguistic group of Yoruba peoples spread along the coastal belts of Ondo, Ogun, Lagos and Delta states, and originally made up of four geo-political entities namely: Ode Ugbo, Ode Mahin, Ode Etikan and Aheri. While most towns and villages in the Mahin kingdom (Ode Mahin) are distributed on arable lands, the towns and villages in the other three geo-polities of Ugbo, Aheri and Etikan kingdoms are spread out along the beaches and swampy terrains of the Atlantic Ocean coast.
Some Ilajes were said to have left Ile Ife, their original ancestral home in the 10th century. They mainly occupy the Atlantic coastline of Ondo State of Nigeria while a large population of them settles on land in the hinterland. The area they occupy today is Ondo State, an outlet to the sea.
Ilaje land has an area of 1,318 km2 (509 sq mi) and a population of 290,615 at the 2006 census although the population can be said to have been under enumerated due to the riverine nature of the area, and lack of accessibility by road/land. Towards the western reaches, the Aheri and Etikan share border with the Ijebus. The Ikale to the north bound the Mahins, the Itsekiri people who the Ilajes consider their cousins, share the eastern border with the Ugbos, the Yoruba speaking Apoi and Arogbo Ijaws are located to the north east in Ese Odo LGA, and the Atlantic Ocean is situated on the southern boundary.[2] The Ilajes are one of the most dynamic and enterprising people in Nigeria. Their aquatic skill, coupled with their ability to adapt enabled them to conquer their harsh geographical environment and turn it to their advantage. Consequently, they were able to build large communities like Ugbonla, Aiyetoro, Zion PePe and Orioke. Aiyetoro for example in its hey-days had the highest per capita income in the whole of Africa due to its early discovery of crude petroleum, and attracted visitors, tourists and researchers from all over the world.
Apart from petroleum found in the area, other mineral raw materials available in Ilajeland include glass sand, salt, Tar sand/Bitumen, quartz and clay. Agricultural products include: Fish, Poultry, piggery, Maize, Palm oil, Vegetables, Timber, Rafia, Poultry, Copra, cocoyam, Bananas and Cassava. The natural environment of Ilajeland is particularly suitable for the development of large scale rice plantations and the salt industry. The occupational activities of the Ilajes include fishing, canoe making, lumbering, net making, mat making, launch building, farming and trading. Fishing however remains the major agricultural preoccupation of the Ilaje. This is underscored by the fact that the Ilaje's geographical sphere has one of the longest coastlines in Nigeria. Ilaje's fishing dexterity is underlined by a popular saying among the Ilaje that:
Ubo eri pa to, Ilaje gwa to rin meaning: Wherever the river current runs through, there you will find the Ilaje.
thousands of migrant Ilaje fishermen can be found in many other coastal communities all over Nigeria in places like Epe, Escravos, Warri, Badagry, Brass and Nembe.
Igbokoda, the Ilaje local government headquarters is fast becoming an international trade center as its popular market attracts traders not only from other part of Nigeria, but, also from other African countries especially Togo, Benin, Ghana, Cameroon and Gabon. Ilajeland is only about 75 kilometers from Lagos and its aquatic environment present the area as a suitable environment for tourism. It is hoped that the Ondo State government and the government of Nigeria will help develop it into a world class tourist attraction. In the past the entire area suffered serious neglect and marginalization in the hands of the government. However, it appears that the Ondo State government has come to realize the importance of Ilajeland not only because it is her only outlet to the sea but also because it is her economic power house. The state is now constructing a network of roads linking the area with the hinterland and has promised to provide basic social amenities including electricity and drinking water systems.
The highlight of the Ondo State's recent development efforts is the acquisition of about 200 hectares of land to be developed and built as a satellite town for the people displayed from their homes in towns and villages on the Atlantic coastline as a result of petroleum drilling and exploratory activities. No doubt, there is a big future for the area especially with the Olokola Development project by Ondo and Ogun State Governments.
Ugbo Kingdom
Mahin Kingdom
Some Ilajes were said to have left Ile Ife, their original ancestral home in the 10th century. They mainly occupy the Atlantic coastline of Ondo State of Nigeria while a large population of them settles on land in the hinterland. The area they occupy today is Ondo State, an outlet to the sea.
Ilaje land has an area of 1,318 km2 (509 sq mi) and a population of 290,615 at the 2006 census although the population can be said to have been under enumerated due to the riverine nature of the area, and lack of accessibility by road/land. Towards the western reaches, the Aheri and Etikan share border with the Ijebus. The Ikale to the north bound the Mahins, the Itsekiri people who the Ilajes consider their cousins, share the eastern border with the Ugbos, the Yoruba speaking Apoi and Arogbo Ijaws are located to the north east in Ese Odo LGA, and the Atlantic Ocean is situated on the southern boundary.[2] The Ilajes are one of the most dynamic and enterprising people in Nigeria. Their aquatic skill, coupled with their ability to adapt enabled them to conquer their harsh geographical environment and turn it to their advantage. Consequently, they were able to build large communities like Ugbonla, Aiyetoro, Zion PePe and Orioke. Aiyetoro for example in its hey-days had the highest per capita income in the whole of Africa due to its early discovery of crude petroleum, and attracted visitors, tourists and researchers from all over the world.
Apart from petroleum found in the area, other mineral raw materials available in Ilajeland include glass sand, salt, Tar sand/Bitumen, quartz and clay. Agricultural products include: Fish, Poultry, piggery, Maize, Palm oil, Vegetables, Timber, Rafia, Poultry, Copra, cocoyam, Bananas and Cassava. The natural environment of Ilaje
Ilaje land has an area of 1,318 km2 (509 sq mi) and a population of 290,615 at the 2006 census although the population can be said to have been under enumerated due to the riverine nature of the area, and lack of accessibility by road/land. Towards the western reaches, the Aheri and Etikan share border with the Ijebus. The Ikale to the north bound the Mahins, the Itsekiri people who the Ilajes consider their cousins, share the eastern border with the Ugbos, the Yoruba speaking Apoi and Arogbo Ijaws are located to the north east in Ese Odo LGA, and the Atlantic Ocean is situated on the southern boundary.[2] The Ilajes are one of the most dynamic and enterprising people in Nigeria. Their aquatic skill, coupled with their ability to adapt enabled them to conquer their harsh geographical environment and turn it to their advantage. Consequently, they were able to build large communities like Ugbonla, Aiyetoro, Zion PePe and Orioke. Aiyetoro for example in its hey-days had the highest per capita income in the whole of Africa due to its early discovery of crude petroleum, and attracted visitors, tourists and researchers from all over the world.
Apart from petroleum found in the area, other mineral raw materials available in Ilajeland include glass sand, salt, Tar sand/Apart from petroleum found in the area, other mineral raw materials available in Ilajeland include glass sand, salt, Tar sand/Bitumen, quartz and clay. Agricultural products include: Fish, Poultry, piggery, Maize, Palm oil, Vegetables, Timber, Rafia, Poultry, Copra, cocoyam, Bananas and Cassava. The natural environment of Ilajeland is particularly suitable for the development of large scale rice plantations and the salt industry. The occupational activities of the Ilajes include fishing, canoe making, lumbering, net making, mat making, launch building, farming and trading. Fishing however remains the major agricultural preoccupation of the Ilaje. This is underscored by the fact that the Ilaje's geographical sphere has one of the longest coastlines in Nigeria. Ilaje's fishing dexterity is underlined by a popular saying among the Ilaje that:
Ubo eri pa to, Ilaje gwa to rin meaning: Wherever the river current runs through, there you will find the Ilaje.
thousands of migrant Ilaje fishermen can be found in many other coastal communities all over Nigeria in places like Epe, Escravos, Warri, Badagry, Brass and Nembe.
Igbokoda, the Ilaje local government headquarters is fast becoming an international trade center as its popular market attracts traders not only from other part of Nigeria, but, also from other African countries especially Togo, Benin, Ghana, Cameroon and Gabon. Ilajeland is only about 75 kilometers from Lagos and its aquatic environment present the area as a suitable environment for tourism. It is hoped that the Ondo State government and the government of Nigeria will help develop it into a world class tourist attraction. In the past the entire area suffered serious neglect and marginalization in the hands of the government. However, it appears that the Ondo State government has come to realize the importance of Ilajeland not only because it is her only outlet to the sea but also because it is her economic power house. The state is now constructing a network of roads linking the area with the hinterland and has promised to provide basic social amenities including electricity and drinking water systems.
The highlight of the Ondo State's recent development efforts is the acquisition of about 200 hectares of land to be developed and built as a satellite town for the people displayed from their homes in towns and villages on the Atlantic coastline as a result of petroleum drilling and exploratory activities. No doubt, there is a big future for the area especially with the Olokola Development project by Ondo and Ogun State Governments.
Ugbo Kingdom
Mahin Kingdom
Etikan Kingdom
Etikan Kingdom
Aheri Kingdom
Igbotu
Aheri Kingdom
Igbotu
There is sand formation at the Western part of the Local Government extending from the Lekki peninsula in Lagos State to Araromi Sea-side and Zion pepe, Agba to Etugbo and Ipare all, Mahin and Ugbonla the Eastern part of the Local Government Area can boast of the largest coconut plantation in West Africa. Ilaje Local Government is the largest local Government in Ondo State in terms of its landmass. According to the 1991 National Population Census, the Local Government is one of the most populated in Ondo State, with a population figure of two hundred and sevevty seven thousand and thirty four (277,034. it has a shoreline covering about 180 km thereby making Ondo State, a state with the longest coastline in Nigeria, Crude oil, which is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. Traditionally, it is grouped into 8 kingdoms namely: Mahin land under His Royal Majesty, Amapetu of Mahin, Ugboland which is under His Royal Majesty Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom. Aheri land under the Maporure and Etikan land under the Onikan of Etikan, Odonla land under the Alagho of Odonla, Obenla land under the Olubo of Obenla, Obe Ogbaro land under the Odoka of Obe Ogbaro, Igbokoda under the Olu of Iggbokoda and Igboegunrin under the Odede of Igboegunrin.
The Local Government Area has a total of 117 institutions
There is sand formation at the Western part of the Local Government extending from the Lekki peninsula in Lagos State to Araromi Sea-side and Zion pepe, Agba to Etugbo and Ipare all, Mahin and Ugbonla the Eastern part of the Local Government Area can boast of the largest coconut plantation in West Africa. Ilaje Local Government is the largest local Government in Ondo State in terms of its landmass. According to the 1991 National Population Census, the Local Government is one of the most populated in Ondo State, with a population figure of two hundred and sevevty seven thousand and thirty four (277,034. it has a shoreline covering about 180 km thereby making Ondo State, a state with the longest coastline in Nigeria, Crude oil, which is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. Traditionally, it is grouped into 8 kingdoms namely: Mahin land under His Royal Majesty, Amapetu of Mahin, Ugboland which is under His Royal Majesty Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom. Aheri land under the Maporure and Etikan land under the Onikan of Etikan, Odonla land under the Alagho of Odonla, Obenla land under the Olubo of Obenla, Obe Ogbaro land under the Odoka of Obe Ogbaro, Igbokoda under the Olu of Iggbokoda and Igboegunrin under the Odede of Igboegunrin.
The Local Government Area has a total of 117 institutions of learning. This comprises 96 primary schools; 20 secondary schools and Technical College at Ayetoro, established by the community itself and the university of science and technology okitipupa established by the ousted governor Olusegun Agagu
Crude oil, which is the major source of income in Nigeria, is found in Ilaje Local Government. There are oil wells and fields spread all over the Local Government Area both onshore and offshore, Oil Companies such as Shell, Chevron, Texaco Nigeria Ltd and Consolidated Oil,
Crude oil, which is the major source of income in Nigeria, is found in Ilaje Local Government. There are oil wells and fields spread all over the Local Government Area both onshore and offshore, Oil Companies such as Shell, Chevron, Texaco Nigeria Ltd and Consolidated Oil, Express Petroleum and Gas Company, Atlas Oil Company, Allied Energy Oil Company, Cavendish Oil Company, Esso-Mobil were at a time already operating in the Local Government Area.
However, crude oil was first discovered at Araromi Sea-side in 1908 and later at Ogogoro in 1952 even before it was discovered in River State in 1956. recently, the disputed on shore Oil wells formerly credited to Delta state have just been returned to Ondo State. They are as follows: Opuekepa, Omuro, Ojumole, Malu, Eko, Parabe, M
However, crude oil was first discovered at Araromi Sea-side in 1908 and later at Ogogoro in 1952 even before it was discovered in River State in 1956. recently, the disputed on shore Oil wells formerly credited to Delta state have just been returned to Ondo State. They are as follows: Opuekepa, Omuro, Ojumole, Malu, Eko, Parabe, Minna, Bella, Obe, Esan, Ewa, Opolo, Opuama and Isekelwu oil fields.
Bitumen which will soon become the second world mineral resources after Crude Oil is found in large quantity in Ilaje Local Government Area e.g. Mahintedo, Igbo egunrin, Igbobi, Agerige, Araromi Sea-Side host of other communities. However, the proposed seaport and exchange zone to be cited at Araromi Sea-Side will serve as a means of exporting the product and its products to other parts of the world.
Apart from the Boat yard at Igbokoda, the first Dockyard
Apart from the Boat yard at Igbokoda, the first Dockyard was at Ayetoro and later Orike Iwamimo,Olotu kuwo. A few other towns engage in boat building and essentially through cooperative efforts. The need for the supply of more boats since about 75% of the Local Government is Riverine. There is also need for improved technology in the business of boat building in order to boast productivity. This is a vacuum that could be filled by potential investors.