Ilesa

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City in Osun state

title: "Ilesa" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["populated-places-in-osun-state", "cities-in-yorubaland", "cities-in-nigeria", "14th-century-establishments-in-nigeria", "articles-containing-video-clips"] description: "City in Osun state" topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilesa" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary City in Osun state ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
name
settlement_typeCity
image_skylineRoundabout ilesa, Owa Obokun statue.jpg
image_captionIlesa Roundabout, Owa obokun statue
pushpin_mapNigeria
pushpin_label_positionbottom
pushpin_map_captionLocation in Nigeria
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameNigeria
subdivision_type1State
subdivision_name1Osun State Ekiti State
subdivision_type2South Western geopolitical zone
seatThe Royal Palace
government_typeMonarchy
leader_titleHis Imperial Majesty, Owa Obokun Adimula
leader_nameAromolaran II
population_total384,334
population_as_of2016
population_est416,000
pop_est_as_of2024
population_note(Metropolitan Area only )
https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/21997/ilesha/population#:~:textThe%20current%20metro%20area%20population,a%203.77%25%20increase%20from%202021.
blank_name_sec1National language
blank_info_sec1Ilesa
::

| name = Ilesa | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = Roundabout ilesa, Owa Obokun statue.jpg | imagesize = | image_alt = | image_caption = Ilesa Roundabout, Owa obokun statue | image_flag = | flag_size = | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_size = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_size = | shield_alt = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_type = | blank_emblem_size = | blank_emblem_alt = | nickname = | motto = | image_map = | mapsize = | map_alt = | map_caption = | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_alt1 = | map_caption1 = | image_dot_map = | dot_mapsize = | dot_map_base_alt = | dot_map_alt = | dot_map_caption = | dot_x = | dot_y = | pushpin_map = Nigeria | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Nigeria | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Nigeria | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Osun State Ekiti State | subdivision_type2 = South Western geopolitical zone | subdivision_name2 = | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | seat_type = | seat = The Royal Palace | government_footnotes = | government_type = Monarchy | leader_party = | leader_title = His Imperial Majesty, Owa Obokun Adimula | leader_name = Aromolaran II | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | total_type = | unit_pref = | area_magnitude = | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | area_total_sq_mi = | area_total_dunam = | area_land_km2 = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 384,334 | population_as_of = 2016 | population_density_km2 = | population_density_sq_mi = | population_est = 416,000 | pop_est_as_of = 2024 | population_note = (Metropolitan Area only ) https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/21997/ilesha/population#:~:text=The%20current%20metro%20area%20population,a%203.77%25%20increase%20from%202021. | timezone1 = | utc_offset1 = | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | website = | footnotes = | blank_name_sec1 = National language | blank_info_sec1 = Ilesa

Ilesa () is a historic city located in Osun State, southwest Nigeria; it is also the name of the capital of a historic state-kingdom (also known as Ijesha) centred around that town as the capital . The state is ruled by a monarch bearing the title of His Imperial Majesty, the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland. The city of Ilesa consists of Ilesa itself and a number of surrounding cities.

The Ijesa, a term also denoting the people of the state of Ijeshaland, are part of the present Osun State of Nigeria. Although the historic state-kingdom is mainly placed within Osun State, it has towns and cities covering several south-western Nigerian states. Some of the popular towns of the Ijesa are Iwara, Odo-Ijesa, Ilaje, Igbogi, Ise-Ijesa, Ibokun, Erin Oke, Erin Odo, Ijeda-Ijesa, Ipetu Jesa, Ijebu-Jesa, Esa-Oke, Iwoye Ijesa, Esa Odo, Ipole Ijesa, Ifewara, Ipo Arakeji, Iloko Ijesa, Iperindo Ijesa, Erinmo Ijesa, Iwaraja Ijesa, Oke-Ana Ijesa, Idominasi, Ilase Ijesa, Igangan ijesa, Imo Ijesa, Alakowe Ijesa, Osu Ijesa, Eti Oni, Itaore, Itagunmodi, Iyinta, Itaapa, Epe Ijesa, Omo Ijesa, Eti-oni, Ibokun, Inila, Ijinla, Iloba Ijesa, Imogbara Ijesa, Eseun Ijesa, Iloo, Owena Ijesa, Ido Ijesa, Ido Oko, Ibala Ijesa, Ere Ijesa, Ilahun, Ibodi, Ijaaregbe, Ikinyinwa, Idominasi, Ilowa, and Ibodi.

The state of Ijeshaland was founded c.1300 by Ajibogun Ajaka Owa Obokun Onida Raharaha, a warlike youngest son of Yoruba Projenitor Oduduwa. All kings of Ijeshaland are considered to be direct descendants of Oduduwa; who is the founder of the Yoruba people and is considered as a God-King.

Ilesa is known for its natural resources and minerals especially Gold, it is said the Ilesa and Ijeshaland at large according to geological studies . Ilesa has at the very minimum, 5 Billion US dollars' worth of Gold alongside the Ilesa Gold belt axis. However the number is expected to rise in value as significant exploration for commercially quantifiable Gold deposits only began in the last decade.

Areas in Ilesa ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Omi_Iru_Ilesa.jpg" caption="Oke-omiru, Ilesa"] ::

Oral history

Main article: Timeline of Yoruba history#12th century AD

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Short_oral_history_of_Ilesha_in_Ijesha_language_by_a_native_speaker_(non-subtitled).webm" caption="Short oral story of Ilesha in Yoruba language by a native speaker"] ::

According to the historian Samuel Johnson:

Institutions in Ilesa

Ilesa Grammar school

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/ILESA_GRAMMAR_SCHOOL_BARGE_2024.jpg"] ::

One of the grammar schools in Ilesa is Ilesa Grammar School. Its 90th anniversary was celebrated in 2024.

University of Ilesa

University of Ilesa formerly known as College of Education, Ilesa, was established on March 31, 2022 by the former governor of Osun State Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola. It was upgraded to a University by Governor Ademola Adeleke who set up a review committee to ascertain the establishment of the institution.

College of Health Technology

Among the schools in Ilesa is the College of Technology, which is located at Imelu in Ilesa.

Hospital in ilesa

There are several Hospitals in ilesa city which are.

  • Wesley Guide hospital Ilesa, located in bolorunduro street Ilesa.
  • Wesley Guide hospital (Obafemi Awolowo Teaching hospital located in oke Ayose Ilesa.
  • Oba Adenle Memorial hospital
  • living petals medical center.

Colonial assessment

The village was described by the Rev. William Howard Clark in 1854 in the following manner: "For its cleanliness, regularity in breadth and width, and the straightness of its streets, the ancient village of Ilesa far surpasses any native town I have seen in black Africa."

The Ijesa Monarchs

There are four royal houses amongst which accession to the throne is supposed to be rotated: Biladu, Bilagbayo, Bilaro and Bilayirere. Rulers, under the title of Owa Obokun Adimula, have been as follows:

::data[format=table title=""]

Owa Obokun Clement Adesuyi Haastrup2024-
::

Notable people

  • Pa. Israel Olatunde Adedeji-Orolugbagbe, JP - [B.A (Hons) London] Erudite Scholar, Historian {Odole Nikunogbo Descendant}.

  • Royal High Chief Adebola Oyeleye Adedeji-Orolugbagbe, Odole-Owa IjesaLand Oyegbulu I {Odole Nikunogbo Descendant}.

  • Royal High Chief Adefioye Adedeji - Attorney and Banker - Risawe Opitan of Ilesa.{Owa-Obokun Atakunmosa Descendant).

  • T. M. Aluko OBE OON

  • Akinloye Akinyemi: Nigerian major

  • Samuel Olatunde Fadahunsi: Commander of the Order of Niger, CON and President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)

  • Kayode Eso: Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (an Odole Gidigbi Faloju descendant)

  • Bolaji Akinyemi: Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and a professor of political science

  • Moses Olaiya: comedian (also known as Baba Sala)

  • Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola: Governor of Osun State

References

References

  1. "Osun 2014: Ijesa North Traditional Rulers Declare Support for Aregbesola". thisdaylive.com.
  2. punchng. (2018-11-11). "Osun begins construction of Ilesa New Town".
  3. (November 8, 2018). "Ilesa New Town: reviving rural urbanisation".
  4. "From Ancient to Modern Cities". thisdaylive.com.
  5. "Ajayi Emerges New King of Erinmo-Ijesha". thisdaylive.com.
  6. Bamigbola, Bola. (2023-12-03). "Rehabilitate Ibadan–Ife–Ilesha road, ex-Osun commissioner urges FG".
  7. (2013-10-13). "In pictures: Country of kings, Nigeria's many monarchs". BBC News.
  8. "Osun 2014: The Battle for Aregbesola's Job". thisdaylive.com.
  9. (2001). "Yoruba Hometowns". Lynne Rienner Publishers.
  10. link
  11. "Tackling Illegal Gold Mining in Osun – THISDAYLIVE".
  12. Ibrahim, Lateef. (2024-02-06). "Osun: Adeboye donates building to Ilesa Grammar School alma mater".
  13. Nigeria, News Agency Of. (2023-03-11). "Gov Adeleke vows not to stop establishment of Ilesa University".
  14. Bamigbola, Bola. (2023-03-11). "Adeleke inconsistent over university of Ilesa, APC alleges".
  15. "University of Ilesa Has Come to Stay, Says Governor Adeleke - THISDAYLIVE".
  16. "Osun State College of Health".
  17. Fapohunda, Olusegun. (2024-05-01). "Step up your career at #OSCHT Ilesa! Offering fully accredited health courses from Dental to Environmental Health. Enrol for 2024/2025 now!".
  18. Egbodo, Joshua. (2022-03-30). "Reps move to upgrade Wesley Hospital, Ilesa to FMC".
  19. (2022-10-05). "Living Petals Medical Centre - Hospital in Ilesha East, Nigeria".
  20. (2017-02-16). "Ilesha". Litcaf.
  21. Aluko, T. M.. (2006). "The Story of My Life". Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria).
  22. (2010-05-05). "The story of my life, T.M. Aluko".
  23. (1986). "Contemporary Novelists". St. James Press.
  24. (2012-10-05). "I also knew Major Akinyemi:a tribute".
  25. Office, Great Britain Colonial. (1955). "Report on Nigeria". H.M. Stationery Office.
  26. (2000). "Tell". Tell Communications Limited.
  27. (1991). "Africa Who's who". Africa Journal Limited.
  28. (2014-08-28). "Chief Samuel Olatunde Fadahunsi, CON (1920- 2014)".
  29. (2014-09-02). "Chief S.O. Fadahunsi, OFR, CON: Tribute to an exceptional leader and engineer".
  30. (2002). "Kayode Eso: The Making of a Judge". Spectrum Books.
  31. Akinseye-George, Yemi. (1997). "Justice Kayode Eso & the Challenge of Substantial Justice in Nigeria". J. West Publications.
  32. (2020-12-29). "The relevance of January 14 in Oyo (2)".
  33. "Ilesa Grammar School:The Labour Of Our Heroes Past.".
  34. Fatubarin, Ayo. (2008). "A Toast of Ijesa People". Keynotes Publishers.
  35. Adeyekun, Olusola. (2000). "The Making of Ijesa Legendary Heroes". Olusola Adeyekun Publishing Company.
  36. III, Editorial. (2019-04-27). "Joy Ogwu, Bolaji Akinyemi: Where are they now?".
  37. (1990). "Baba Sala!". Limelight Showbiz Publications.
  38. (1986). "Nigeria Magazine". Government of Nigeria.
  39. Jeyifo, Biodun. (1984). "The Yoruba Popular Travelling Theatre of Nigeria". Department of Culture, Federal Ministry of Social Development, Youth, Sports & Culture.
  40. (2018-10-08). "Ace comedian, Baba Sala, is dead {{!}} Premium Times Nigeria".
  41. (2021-02-21). "Aregbesola raises concerns about 'fair-weather' people joining APC".
  42. (March 2009). "The News". Independent Communications Network Limited.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

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