Ekiti State of Nigeria was created on 1st October, 1996 along side other five by the late Head of state and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha, GCON in a nation-wide broadcast to mark the 36th Independence anniversary of Nigeria. The State, carved out of Ondo State, cover the former twelve local government areas that made up the Ekiti Zone of old Ondo State.

Location

Ekiti State was created on 1st October, 1996 out of the former Ondo State. It is bounded on the South by Ondo State, on the North by Kwara State, on the East by Kogi State.

History

Ekiti State was created on 1st October, 1996 out of the former Ondo State. The people of the state are pure Yoruba with the same dialect.

Agriculture

The state is largely agrarian. Agriculture is the mainstay of the state economy. It employs 75% of the state working population.

The State is one of the largest producers of Rice, Kolanut, oil palm and cocoa in the country. They also produce crops like cassava, yam, cocoyam, maize, cowpea, citrus, plantain and fruits like cashew, mango and orange.

As the state is within the ecological belt known for abundant forest resources the state produces high quality woods which are raw material for wood based industries within and outside the state.

Industrially, the state is arid with only few companies on the ground. However, the state government has embarked on an aggressive industrialization drive through the provision of necessary infrastructure while new industrial estates are being opened under World Bank Infrastructural Development Fund to cater for investors' needs.

Mineral Resources

The state is endowed with abundant mineral deposits of value like Clay, Kaolin, Columbite, Cassiterite, Foundry Sand, Bauxite, Clarcomite and Charcoalnite Granite.

Education

Education is highly regarded and prioritized. The state has:

• 541 Primary Schools
• 141 Secondary Schools
• 4 Unity Secondary Schools
• 4 Women Education Centres
• 5 Nomadic Schools
• 4 Technical Colleges
• A College of Education
• A Federal Polytechnic and
• A State University.

Tourism

Tourism is another aspect which will become a veritable source of income for the state. Notable among its tourist attractions are the Ikogosi tourist centre which are referred to as the haven of tourism in Nigeria.

At Ikogosi, the warm and cold water oozing out from different sources from the earth crust flow separately to meet in a pool each retaining its thermal identity.

Facilities such as a modest non-chemical pools, standard Conference hall, opulent chalets, and a fascinating restaurant are provided to cater for the various needs of tourists.

Other tourist centres are:

• Raw Material Display Centre
• Arinta Waterfall at Ipole-Iloro
• Ero Dam at Ikun-Ekiti
• Fajuyi Memorial Park at Ado-Ekiti;

The state also has rich cultural carnivals like Iwemo and Udiroko in Ado-Ekiti; Ogun in Ire-Ekiti; Ijesu and Egungun which continue to attract people to the state. Ekiti state is accessible by road.

People

Local Government Areas

The State has 16 local Councils which include Edo-Ekiti-East, Ekiti Southwest, Ekiti West, Ikere, Irepodun, Ijero, Oye, Ikole, Efon, Moba etc. And its major towns include Ado-Ekiti, Efon Alaaye, Aramoko-Ekiti, Ikole Ekiti, Iyin-Ekiti etc.

Links

http://www.ekitinigeria.net

Schools on The Web

Contact

State Liason Office:
Oduduwa House,
Plot 1226, Ahmadu Bello Way,
Victoria Island, Lagos
Tel: 01-2616553, 2617061