Ibadan

Ibadan, coined from the phrase "Eba Odan",[5] which literally means 'by the edge of the meadow', came into existence in 1829, during a period of turmoil that characterized Yorubaland at the time.[6] It was in this period that many old Yoruba cities such as old Oyo (Oyo ile), Ijaye and Owu disappeared, and newer ones such as Abeokuta, new Oyo (Oyo atiba) and Ibadan sprang up to replace them.[7] According to local historians, Lagelu founded the city, and was initially intended to be a war camp for warriors coming from Oyo, Ife and Ijebu.[8] As a forest site containing several ranges of hills, varying in elevation from 160 to 275 metres, the location of the camp offered strategic defence opportunities. Moreover, its location at the fringe of the forest (from which the city got its name) promoted its emergence as a marketing centre for traders and goods from both the forest and grassland areas.

The church and mission in Ibadan, Yoruba country, 1850's

In 1852, the Church Missionary Society sent David and Anna Hinderer to found a mission. They decided to build the mission and a church in Ibadan when they arrived in 1853.[9]

Ibadan thus had initially begun as a military state and remained so until the last decade of the 19th century. The city-state also succeeded in building a large empire from the 1860s to the 1890s which extended over much of northern and eastern Yorubaland. It was appropriately nicknamed idi Ibon or "gun base", because of its unique military character.[10]

In Ibadan, unlike other Yoruba cities with traditional kingship institutions, the warrior class became the rulers of the city as well as the most important economic group.[11]

Ibadan grew into an impressive and sprawling urban center, such that by the end of 1829, Ibadan dominated the Yoruba region militarily, politically and economically. The military sanctuary expanded even further when refugees began arriving in large numbers from northern Oyo following raids by Fulani warriors. After losing the northern portion of their region to the marauding Fulanis, many Oyo indigenes retreated deeper into the Ibadan environs. The Fulani Caliphate attempted to expand further into the southern region of modern-day Nigeria, but was decisively defeated by the armies of Ibadan in 1840, which eventually halted their progress. The colonial period reinforced the position of the city in the Yoruba urban network. After a small boom in rubber business (1901-1913), cocoa became the main produce of the region and attracted European and Levantine firms, as well as southern and northern traders from Lagos, Ijebu-Ode and Kano among others. The city became a major point of bulk trade. Its central location and accessibility from the capital city of Lagos were major considerations in the choice of Ibadan as the headquarters of the Western Provinces (1939) which ranged from the northernmost areas of Oyo State to Ekeremor, Bomadi and Patani, which were regions transferred from the old Delta province in the Old Western region and later Mid-west to the old Rivers state and later Bayelsa, in the redistricting of Nigeria carried out by the Yakubu Gowon administration shortly before the Nigerian Civil War.[12]

Ibadan is located in south-western Nigeria in the southeastern part of Oyo State at about 119 kilometres (74 miles) northeast of Lagos and 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the Nigerian international border with the Republic of Benin. It lies completely within the tropical forest zone but close to the boundary between the forest and the derived savanna. The city ranges in elevation from 150 m in the valley area, to 275 m above sea level on the major north–south ridge which crosses the central part of the city. The city covers a total area of 3,080 square kilometres (1,190 sq mi), the largest in Nigeria after Bauchi.

The city of Ibadan is naturally drained by four rivers with many tributaries: Ona River in the North and West; Ogbere River towards the East; Ogunpa River flowing through the city and Kudeti River in the Central part of the metropolis. Ogunpa River, a third-order stream with a channel length of 12.76 km and a catchment area of 54.92 km². Lake Eleyele is located at the northwestern part of the city, while the Osun River and the Asejire Lake bounds the city to the east.

There are eleven (11) Local Governments in Ibadan Metropolitan area consisting of five urban local governments in the city and six semi-urban local governments in the less city. Local governments at present are institutions created by the military governments but recognised by the 1999 constitution and they are the third tiers of government in Nigeria. Local governments Councils consist of the Executive Arm made up of the Executive Chairman, the Vice chairman, the Secretary and the Supervisory Councilors.[15]

Local government areas

Ibadan Urban – LGA Chairman

• Ibadan North – Adebayo Adegoke
• Ibadan North-East – Lekan Afuye
• Ibadan North-West – Mojeed Bosun Ajuwon
• Ibadan South-East – Abimbola Omiyale
• Ibadan South-West – Adeleke Taoreed Bolaji

Ibadan Semi-Urban – LGA Chairman

• Akinyele – Taoreed Jimoh Adedigba
• Egbeda – Akeem Akintunde
• Ido – Sheriff Aderemi Adeojo
• Lagelu – Oyesanmi Toriola
• Ona Ara – Ogundele Biliaminu
• Oluyole A yodeji Abass Aleshinloye

Iwo Road1, Ibadan, Oyo State

Until 1970, Ibadan was the largest city in Sub-Saharan Africa by surface area.[7] In 1952, it was estimated that the total area of the city was approximately 103.8 km²[17] However, only 36.2 km² was built up. This meant that the remaining 67 km² were devoted to non-urban uses, such as farmlands, river floodplains, forest reserves and water bodies. These "non-urban land uses" disappeared in the 1960s: an aerial photograph in 1973 revealed that the urban landscape had completely spread over about 100 km². The land area increased from 136 km² in 1981 to 210–240 km² in 1988-89 (Areola, 1994: 101). By 2000, it is estimated that Ibadan covered 400 km².[18] The growth of the built-up area during the second half of the 20th century (from 40 km² in the 1950s to 250 km² in the 1990s) shows clearly that there has been an underestimate of the total growth of the city. In the 1980s, the Ibadan-Lagos expressway generated the greatest urban sprawl (east and north of the city), followed by the Eleiyele expressway (west of the city). Since then, Ibadan city has spread further into the neighbouring local government areas of Akinyele and Egbeda in particular.

Among the places of worship, there are Christian churches and temples: Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (World Communion of Reformed Churches), Nigerian Baptist Convention (Baptist World Alliance), Living Faith Church Worldwide, Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Covenant Nation, Assemblies of God, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan (Catholic Church), some Pentecostal churches, and Muslim mosques.[19]

The best method to move about the city is to use reference points and notable landmarks.

Front view of Mapo Hall, Ibadan

Dugbe district is the commercial nerve centre of Ibadan. This is where many banks have one or more branches. The south west regional office of the Central Bank of Nigeria is at Dugbe. Also at Dugbe is the Cocoa House,[20] Nigeria's first skyscraper.

Cocoa House, Ibadan

It is one of the few skyscrapers in the city and is at the hub of Ibadan's commercial centre. The Cocoa house is the headquarters for the Oodua Investment Company co-owned by all south-western states.[21] Other tall buildings around Dugbe axis include Femi Johnson glass house, CBN building, United Bank for Africa, Oxford building, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria's Building, among others.

There is a museum in the building of the Institute of African Studies, which exhibits several remarkable pre-historic bronze carvings and statues. The city has several well stocked libraries, and is home to the first television station in Africa. The city has two zoological gardens, one located within the University of Ibadan and another at Agodi Gardens which also contains a botanical garden, swimming pool and leisure spots.

Bower Memorial Tower

The Bower's Tower, built in 1936, is to the east on Oke Aàre (Aare's Hill) ("Aare" in Yoruba means commander-in-chief or generalissimo), which can be seen from practically any point in the city; it also provides an excellent view of the whole city from the top. It is named after Robert Lister Bower,[22] and is sometimes called "Láyípo"- a testament to the spiral staircase in the monument.[22] Other attractions include Mapo Hall[23] – the colonial style city hall – perched on top of a hill, "Oke Mapo", Mapo Hill ("oke" is hill in Yoruba), the Trans-Wonderland amusement park, the cultural centre Mokola and the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium). The first citadel of higher learning, University of Ibadan (formerly the University College of Ibadan), the Obafemi Awolowo Hall in the University of Ibadan is said to be one of the tallest and largest hostel[24] in West Africa. The first teaching hospital in Nigeria, University College Hospital, were both built in this ancient city. Ibadan is also home to the Shooting Stars FC – a professional Football Club also known as 3SC.

There are some good golf courses: the Ibadan Golf Club is a large 18-hole challenge and the Barracks course has just been extended to 18 holes. The most challenging[25] and exclusive is the 9-hole IITA Golf Club based on the 1,000 hectare premises of IITA.

University of Ibadan

Ibadan is host to Nigeria's premier higher institution of learning, The University of Ibadan. Established as a college of the University of London in 1948, and later converted into an autonomous university in 1962. Other higher educational institutions in the city include; The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Lead City University, First Technical University, Kola Daisi University, Federal college of Animal health and Production Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Highland College of Technology, Samonda, Federal School of Statistics, Federal Cooperative College, Tower Polytechnic, Ibadan, Ibadan City Polytechnic, Citigate Polytechnic, NIIT University among others.

There are also numerous public and private primary and secondary schools located in the city and its suburbs. Other noteworthy institutions in the city include The University College Hospital, Ibadan (UCH), which is the first teaching hospital in Nigeria; the internationally acclaimed International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) headquartered in the city. Established in 1967, it focuses on the agricultural and developmental needs of tropical countries, with several research stations spread across Africa. The Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, The National Root Crops Research Institute, and The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), The Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, the Nigerian Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), all under the auspices of The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria.[26]

In 1853, the first Europeans to settle in Ibadan, Reverend David and Anna Hinderer, started Ibadan's first Western schools. They built churches and Anna taught at the new school.[9] They built the first two-storey building in Ibadan, which can still be found today at Kudeti. The first pupils to attend an elementary school in Ibadan were Yejide Olunloyo (female) and Akinyele Olunloyo (male) – the two children of an Ibadan high chief.

Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo State, the fourth largest state economy in Nigeria,[27] and the second largest non-oil state economy in Nigeria after Lagos state. With its strategic location on the railway line connecting Lagos to Kano,[28] the city is a major center for trade in cassava, cocoa, cotton, timber, rubber, and palm oil. The city and its environs is home to several industries such as Agro allied, Textile, Food processing, Health Care and Cosmetic, Tobacco processing and Cigarette manufacturing, Leatherworks and furniture making Etc. There is abundance of clay, kaolin and aquamarine in the city environs, and there are several cattle ranches, a dairy farm as well as a commercial abattoir in Ibadan. There are dozens of banks and Insurance firms spread out across the cityscape that service the city's millions of inhabitants.

The main economic activities engaged in by the Ibadan populace include Agriculture, Trade, Public service employment, Factory work, Service sector/Tertiary production, Etc. The headquarters of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have extensive grounds for crop and agricultural research into key tropical crops such as bananas, plantains, maize, cassava, soybean, cowpea and yam.[29] According to a report, Ibadan is the 3rd cheapest Nigerian city to live in.[30]

Ibadan is a busy city but also accommodates an adequate amount of entertainment and relaxation. There are numerous bars, lounges and night clubs to enjoy, including the Lebanese owned "KOKO Dome" which is the oldest night club in the city dating back to the mid 90s.

New railway station in Ibadan, artistic impression

Railway network of Nigeria 2021

The city of Ibadan is a major Nigerian transport hub with freeways linking it with Lagos in the South South West, Ijebu Ode and Shagamu in the South, Abeokuta in the West, Oyo, ogbomosho, Offa and Ilorin in the North, Ife, Ado Ekiti, Osogbo, Ilesha, Akure, Okene, Auchi and other cities towards the East. The city is also served by an airport, the Ibadan Airport, which operates daily flights to Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Ilorin etc. through major airlines in Nigeria such as Overland Airways and Arik Air. The city is a major terminus railway station on the main railway line linking Lagos with Kano in the North of the country. Nearly all the major roads are dualized (Double carriage roads), such roads include the Ojoo-Sango-Mokola road that passes in front of the University of Ibadan, others include Ring road-Orita-Challenge-New Garage ways and the recently completed Dugbe-Eleyele-Jerico Road. There are various roundabouts, intersections and flyovers within the city, the latest being the Mokola flyover built to reduce persistent traffic gridlock being experienced in the Mokola axis of the city.

Modes of transport include, cabs & taxis, taxi-vans commonly called Danfos, and in more recent times mass transit buses have commenced operations to reduce the hardship of students and workers commuting from various suburban areas to the city center, private/personal/family cars, scooters commonly known as Okadas, Coach (bus) services, more commonly known locally as "luxurious busses" such as Alakowe Bus, ABC Transport, Cross Country ltd Etc., which operate To and Fro services linking Ibadan and all other major destinations in the country and beyond, as well as pedestrian walking.

Since 2021, there is a new railway connection (standard gauge), which brings passengers to Lagos in less than 3 hours. It leaves at 8:00 and 16:00 every day (on time).[32] The new railway line came with a new railway station.

Phase 1 of the Ibadan circular road, a 110km road which encircles Ibadan, as at April 2023 is under construction[33][34]

The city host the first T.V station in Africa NTA, Ibadan established as Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) in 1959. The oldest surviving Nigeria newspaper is in Ibadan Tribune founded by chief Obafemi Awolowo Premier of Western Nigeria. The first private TV station Galaxy TV in Oyo State also started in the city. As at 2014 the city is home to several media outlets including

• Nigerian Television Authority Ibadan Network Centre

Galaxy TV

• B.C.O.S Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State which also runs the radio services of B.C.O.S radio 1, Oluyole FM 98.5)
• MITV Ibadan
• Silverbird TV
• Channels TV
• AIT Africa Independent Television

Satellite channels are provided by

• Multichoice Africa owner of DStv and GOTV satellite company has an office in the Jericho area of the city providing subscribers with numerous international and local TV and radio.
• Star times
• DaarSat

The radio stations in Ibadan are increasing in number compared to 5–10 years ago, when only 3 operated. Today, there are:

• B.C.O.S Radio 1 and Oluyole FM 98.5
• Premier FM 93.5 (government-owned)
• Amuludun FM 99.1(Yoruba only, government-owned)
• Beat FM 97.9
• Mitv/Star FM 95.1
• Raypower Radio of AIT
• Diamond FM 101.1 of University of Ibadan
• Impact Business Radio (IBR 92.5 FM) a.k.a. Amutajero
• Splash FM 105.5
• Inspiration FM 100.5
• Space FM 90.10
• Naija FM 102.7
• Royal Roots (R2)FM 92.9
• Petals FM 102.3
• Lagelu FM 96.3
• Fresh FM 105.9
• Star FM 91.5
• Jamz FM 101.1
• Thirty-Two FM 94.9
• Noble 107.1 FM
• Lead Radio FM 106.3
• Pensioners' FM 106.7
• Agidigbo FM 88.7
• Solutions FM 93.9

There are also online communities of Ibadan residents such as CONNECTIBADAN, Ibadan247, IBpulse and WhatsupIbadan. They help the public connect with news, event and people in Ibadan and Oyo State as a whole.

• Adegoke Adelabu, old Western region politician
• Aminatu Abiodun, 14th Iyalode of Ibadan
• Victor Adeboyejo, British Championship League footballer
• Lamidi Adedibu
• Wally Adeyemo, U.S. government official
• Sade Adu, singer
• Humuani Alaga, activist, indigenous textile entrepreneur
• Yetide Badaki, actress
• Kingsley Chioma
• Ken Goldberg, inventor
• KSI, British YouTuber, boxer, co-founder of Prime
• Hugo Weaving, actor
• Oluwole Omofemi, artist and curator
• Abiola Ajimobi (1949-2020)

Ibadan is twinned with:

• Cleveland, United States[35]

• 
  Archbishop Ayo Lidigbolu House
• 
  Ayefele music house
• 
• 
  Bower towers
• 
  Bower towers gate
• 
  bowers towers, Ibadan
• 
• 
  Cocoa Dome, Dupe Ibadan
• 
  Crown Trust Plaza
• 
  Dugbe roundabout, Ibadan
• 
  Havsns Royale hall and event centre
• 
  Ibadan brow roofs
• 
• 
• 
  Kudi Avenue
• 
  Ring road
• 
  Mobolaji Johnson house
• 
  Kola Daisi University city building
• 
  Maharaji village
• 
  Molete Baptist church
• 
  Ibadan ring road
• 
  Oba Adessoji Adereni house
• 
  Specialist hospital
• 
  Government house gate
• 
  High court of Justice
• 
  Presbyterian church
• 
  Stadium
• 
  Shooprite
• 
  St. Annes Church
• 
  Sango Ojurin Market
• 
  Symentry, Bodija road
• 
  Ventura mall
• 
  Ibadan Aerial View of Alakia from an airplane

• Railway stations in Nigeria
• List of Nigerian cities by population

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ibadan.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ibadan.

• Oyo State official website