The genesis of Ikorodu

Just like the Statue of Liberty in New York City, the United States of America captures the view of every passerby or visitor within its vicinity, every visitor who drops off at the last bus stop of Ikorodu is sure to be greeted by the statue of a sculptured hunter, conspicuously placed there to meet the eyes of every passerby and visitors to the community.

Interestingly, statues all around the world, particularly in Africa, serve as significant cultural, historical and artistic landmarks, often honouring rulers, activists and cultural figures. These structures, often found in city roundabouts, are designed to preserve history and connect generations to their heritage, connecting the past with the present. They serve as “time capsules” that allow communities to remember their roots and ancestors.

Ikorodu community in Lagos is not left out of the historical time capsule statues symbolise. The statue of a sculptured hunter embroidered in his regalia holds tight his dame gun in his right hand, clinging his bag on his shoulder with a half-woven scarf on his forehead to depict his preparedness and bravery for prey in the bush.

For many indigenes and dwellers in Ikorodu, the hunter’s statue serves as a historical reference, reminding them of their roots and the emergence of the settlers of the town, now a popular resettlement area in Lagos, a state popularly known as Centre of Excellence.

How Ikorodu metamorphosed from Oko Odu

Before the town today known as Ikorodu by many, the space was a vast farm named Okorodu, which is a shortened word from Oko Odu. In Yoruba language, Oko means farm, while Odu is a vegetable specie used for cloth-dying. Okorodu literally means Odu Farm. However, the name, Okorodu changed to Ikorodu, probably for the convenience of pronunciation.

The sculptured hunter, known as Oga, was the brave Crowned Prince of Remo, an offspring of Kuyelu, a descendant of Akarigbo Ijebu Remo from Orile Offin Shagamu. While alive, he was known for his knack for hunting expeditions, which brought him to a forest now known as Ikorodu today.

It was said that his hunting expedition gave him prominence and earned him the name, Oga (meaning leader) when he killed a disturbing elephant that threatened the safety and lives of community members in Oko Odu.

That singular act and other victorious expeditions endeared him to the people of the community, positioning him as the leader. History has it that Oga, several centuries ago, was the founder of Ikorodu.

Oga’s hunting expedition strengthened his reputation in the then Oko Odu where he practised hunting for almost two years before he went back to Offin Shagamu and returned with two of his brothers, Lasunwon and Rademo, to permanently settle with them in the community.

It was said that Benin migrants found space in Oko Odu as documented in history in 1630. Oga, a man who derived delight in accommodating people in his domain, started receiving a large contingent of Benin migrants, who came by land through Iki in Ogun State to the area now known as Ikorodu.

According to history, the Benin migrants were led by a wealthy and powerful man called Eregbouwa (now referred to as Rebugbowa in Ikorodu). He was from the ancient royal family of Oliha of Benin City.

The Benin migrants settled peacefully with Oga and his brothers in Oko Odu (now Ikorodu); and it was said that the farm began to flourish.

How Yoruba migrants spread

Ikorodu began to witness the surge of migrants from other Yoruba lands. The early developing town of Ikorodu grew around a nucleus of settlements known as Itun, which covered a specific location with boundaries. The migrants from other Yoruba parts of the town settled in the community, and thus, Ikorodu became a cosmopolitan town, forming the springboard on which the town’s development was hung. History has it that early settlers in Ikorodu were traders who developed a coastal market at Ebute, trading in fabric dyeing, fishing and farm produce.

Notable among these astute traders was the late Chief Joseph M. Shonubi, popularly known as Owolowo. He was one of the earliest business moguls in Nigeria and unarguably one of the richest Nigerians of his era.

As settlers began to increase in size, institutional frameworks were developed, and the institution of Obaship was conceded to the line of Akarigbo, while the institution of Olisaship was given to the Benin settlers.

Consequently, the Oba became the reigning monarch while the Olisa became the kingmaker and the prime minister of the city.

How ruling houses emerged

After the death of Oga, Lasunwon, his brother became the first Oloja of Ikorodu and took over the leadership of the settlement. Rebugbowa, on the other hand, became the first Olisa of Ikorodu to install the first Oluje.

When Lasunwon also joined his ancestors, he was succeeded by Rademo

who had lived with Oga and Lasunwon before the arrival of Benin migrants.

Weekend Trust gathered that after the demise of Oba Lasunwon, 18 other Obas have ascended the throne, including Kabir Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu. Others include Oba Rademo, Olugbekan, Dotelu, Kaalu, Oguntade 1, Petu, Kuyinu, Ireshe, Idowu Alagbo, Oremuti and Ogunlaro.

Others were Aina Odubote, Odunjumo Araba, Ajayi Ewujebe, Adenike Alagbe (the first king to use the title, Ayangburen), Samuel Oladega and Salaudeen Oyefusi.

In an interview with Weekend Trust, Arakunrin Kazeem Showemimo, an indigene, narrated the exigencies, saying Ikorodu is traditionally divided into three groups, which include Ijomu, Aga and Isele. He said the trio are represented in Osugbo, which is the highest administrative organ in the town, noting that the Iwarefa (kingmakers) play pivotal roles in the administrative activities of the town.

He outlined that the traditional festivals in Ikorodu include Odun Osu, Magbo festival, Live festival, saying both Magbo and Live festivals are strictly male-oriented, noting that they are festivals that prohibit women from going out for about 24 hours.

According to him, other festivals are Eyibi, also known as Odun Eluku, and Ogun festival, which is held every September to October, especially when the late rains set in.

“Those things are meant to assure and tell people of their boundaries because our forefathers told us that if you don’t maintain your culture and history, some people will tell you one day that it is a no man’s land,” he said.

Despite the predominant occupation the community is known for, fishing and farming, Showemimo stressed that the town had produced prominent personalities who remain sources of inspiration to youths.

“During the First Republic, we produced the first minister of information and culture, Theophilus Benson. We have Badamosi of blessed memory. He is the father of Sule Badamosi, who served at the age of 18 as a commissioner in Lagos State. They own Ragolis water. Also, one of our sons, Brigadier Gbolaha Mudasiru, was a governor during the military era. We have notable people we can’t start mentioning because if we continue to mention, we won’t know where to stop,” he said.

It was revealed that there is a concerted effort by senators representing constituencies and prominent families to offer scholarships to youths in an effort to maintain the intellectual legacies built by leaders of the community.

“Because intellectual capacity cannot be over-emphasised, in view of that, they have to boost the morale of the people around there,” he said.

According to him, there are over 316 socio-cultural clubs, and Oriwu is the leading one under the auspices of the Ikorodu Oga Development Association. The club consists of elites who offer mentorship to youths, he added.

“We have exclusive clubs and development platforms where the elites gather for mentorship of the younger generation,” he also said.

Ancestral markets in Ikorodu

Weekend Trust gathered that Ajina (early day market), Obu Ale (night market) and Oburoke (market for the widows) are the three ancestral markets in Ikorodu community.

Ajina market is sprawling with women selling fish opposite the first palace.

In an interview with the Iya Oloja of Ajina market, Shodipo Sherifat Adeolu, she identified the market as the first among the three, saying, “This market has been established for centuries. It is the first in Ikorodu. The next was Obu Ale, then Oburoke, the third market. It is forbidden to open Ajina during the market days of Oburoke. These markets are ancestral, and they have days of intervals.”

She also noted that as tradition entails, walls are forbidden to be built around the market, saying its significance is connected to rites for anyone who assumes a royal title.

Although the market has its glory, she, however, lamented that whenever it rained, the market would be flooded; hence he called for government’s intervention.

“It rained recently (Thursday, December 12, 2025) and the flood washed away our fish. We beg the government to protect the integrity of Ajina. This is an ancestral market; and it won’t become extinct during my tenure. Someone from abroad helped to install borehole, but the pumping machine is bad,” she said.

Alhaji Jubril Aliu Solomade, a member of one of the Iwaefa clans, recounted the origin of his ancestors thus, “We settled down here in Ikorodu from Abeokuta. When we got to Ikorodu, we resided first at Odogunyan, where Mukaila Gbadmosi became a paramount ruler, before we moved to Tudiwe. Our family is part of the chiefs. The present chief is the Irakerin. Our chief works closely with the king,” he said.

The immediate chairman of the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Rotimi Erogbobgo, highlighted how industrious the indigenous people of Ikorodu are, identifying fishing and trading as their major occupations.

“From inception, they were farmers and traders. Ikorodo people are part of the people that make up Lagos as regards businesses. We have business people across the water and all of that,” he said.

He added that Ikorodo had raised so many important personalities that have helped to shape Lagos State and at the federal level.

“The first federal minister of information was from Ikorodu,” he reiterated.

He cited the 2022 United Nations report, which places Ikorodu as the second largest local government area in Lagos in terms of area and population and ranked the 12th largest city in the entire country.

“Politically, Ikorodu people are strong, accommodating and less tribalised. You would see people like the late Adeniran Ogunsanya, who was the chairman of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), which was an eastern region political party,” he said.

In terms of governance, he said Ikorodu had a local government with five LCDAs for the purpose of development. The LCDA includes Imota, Ijede, Igbogbo/ Bayeku, Ikorodu North and Ikorodu West.

“Ikorodu has evolved through ages; and there is a massive development, including road network, transportation and a population of well over 1.4 million people,” he said.

He stressed that the indigenous people always maintained their moral standards.  “With what you see in Ikorodu today, I don’t want to say that we are free from the adulteration of culture you see all around. Ikorodu admits so many people – visitors that come to stay,” he said.

He said the economy of the town was growing rapidly, citing the progress of development in the education and manufacturing sector.

“People come here to open up new businesses. So, the economy in Ikorodu is increasing rapidly. It is bigger than the economy of two states in the South-West put together.

“Ikorodu houses three universities, both private and state. By the grace of God, the economy is improving. And the community is getting better in terms of security,” he added.

Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5 million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, click here to find out how it works.

Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.