History

Ikorodu Town is the second most populous Local Government Area in Lagos state with
a population estimated at about 2 million people.
Ikorodu is for peopled by Ijebu speaking sub-group of Yoruba who occupy modern
Ikorodu local government area of Lagos State. Available evidences suggest that the
settlement must have been founded by immigrants from interior Ijebuland in the 17th
century.
Ikorodu: 'Ilu kekere oko ilu bantata' meaning: A small town that is a boss of big towns.
Originally, the name "Ikorodu" was derived from the two words OKO-ODU Meaning the
farm (OKO) of (ODU) a kind of plant. The word ODU means something that blackens,
and since it was discovered that the plant had blacking power and it was in effect
used in dyeing cloth- the name ODU was applied to it. It's significant to note that the
trade of Ikorodu early women was cloth dyeing, which followed from the discovery of
the dyeing power of ODU plant.

The people are very hardworking and sociable. This could be accounted for by the
socio-economic interaction they have had with the people of Lagos as early as the
period of the Benin invasions of coastal Yorubaland . Some Lagosians also established
fishing settlements on the shore of Ikorodu especially during the dynasty crisis of the
mid nineteenth century, linking Ikorodu with Lagos.Ikorodu was initially a massive
forest that lies on a few kilometers North of the Lagos Lagoon and less than 10
kilometers North of the Atlantic Ocean was once a walled City. By itself, Ikorodu was
bounded in the East by both sides of Ota-Ona, Awolowo Road, including Ojoru and
Agbele up to Itamaja. On the west side are Aiyeluja, both sides of Ayangbure road up
till Oke-Oriya extending to Solomade, Etunrenren, Lowa and Olori and both sides of
Lagos Road up to Owutu junction. Extension to the North covers both sides of Sagamu
Road up to Sawmill and beyond to Odogunyan. Southwards covers Gbasemo in Aga
linking up with Ipakorodo-Igbogbo road up to Owode, Oriwu road and Solafun (in
Ijomu ward).
The area was first used by the sons of (King) Akarigbo Koyelu of Orile Offin, Orisa
Gaomu (Sagamu). One of the son of Oduduwa from Ile Ife Olusoga (Oga), Lasunwon,
Rademo, Anoko, Osonusi, Oladepo and Sekumade. These were the children of
Akarigbo who used the extended area for hunting and farming. Because vegetation of
the area was predominanlty ODU plant, hence they referred to the area as the farm
of ODU meaning OKO-ODU which was by Remo accent called OKORODU. By long
careless usage, it is now called IKORODU.

The children first settled at Agbele-Ikoro (Agbole), present site of NITEL which they
traveled back and forth to OKO-ODU for farming and hunting. But, it was soon found
to be a awkward to go hunting and return from the forest, to start another journey to
the farm OKO-ODU.
The family took counsel together and decided that there was no special reason why
they should confine themselves to Agbole and do farming at OKO-ODU. and so, to his
farm OKO-ODU, Oga and family moved. They settled permanently.
The village continues to grow because it was a junction market place for Ijebu-Ode,
Sagamu, Epe and other places. Oga, grew in statue and social relations, so much that
the people of the village decided to make him the Oloja of OKO-ODU.

Ikorodu is the fastest growing exurb near the Lagos metropolis, owing in part to the
influx of people from Ikorodu's surrounding towns and villages attracted by the town's
proximity to Lagos.
Perhaps the pivot on which the stability of Ikorodu rests was the legal recognition
given to only two ruling houses-Rademo Royal Family and Lasunwon Royal Family. To
date, the two ruling houses have produced eighteen traditional rulers. The first
recognised traditional ruler was Lasunwon. At his demise, Rademo took over the
reigns of power. There was Lugbekan (from Lasunwon); Dotelu (Lasunwon), Kaalu
(Lasunwon); Oguntade 1 (Rademo); Petu (Rademo); Kuyinu (Rademo); Ireshe
(Lasunwon); Idowu Alagbo (Rademo); Orelaja (Rademo); Ogunlaru (Lasunwon); Aina
Odubote (Rademo); Odunjumo Araba (Lasunwon); Ajayi Owujebe (Lasunwon);
Adenaike Alegbe (Lasunwon); Samuel Oladega (Lasunwon). The incumbent,
traditionally ruler, His Royal Highness Oba Salawu Oyefusi is from Rademo, and the
third Ayangburen.
Both Oga and Lasunwon were warriors, who were always organizing any and every
defense of the place and ensuring good administration of OKO-ODU. Thus, when Oga
the elder son was made the Oloja, Lasunwon his brother was crowned the Odofin of
OKO-ODU.
The title of Oloja is usually conferred on an elder who lives in a market-junction
frequented by neighboring village traders. Equivalent of Market Superintendent or
'Market Master'.
Soon after, some large contingents of Benin migrants came by land through Iki in Ogun
State (where almost the whole land belongs to the Olisa family of Ikorodu). This group
of Benin people was led by a wealthy and powerful man called Eregbouwa (now called
Rebugbawa in Ikorodu) from the ancient royal family of Oliha of Benin City. In Benin
language Ere means King and Uwa means peace and prosperity.
The Benin people settled down amicably with the children of Akarigbo and the farm
started to grow into a large establishment. This was about 1630. The institution of
Obaships was conceded to the line of Akarigbo while the Olisaship was conceded to
the Benin settlers.
In effect the Oba became the reigning monarch while Olisa became the King maker
and the Prime Minister of the City State. Prior to the advent of the Benin people, Oga
was the head of the settlement. When Oga died, Lasunwon was installed the first
Oloja of Ikorodu by Olisa Rebugbawa (the first Olisa of Ikorodu).
Therefore, Lasunwon and Eregbouwa Rebugbawa were the first Oloja (OBA) and the
first Olisa of Ikorodu respectively.
Today we have 2 Ruling houses of Obas 3 Ruling houses of Olisa
Lasunwon and Rademo ruling house

 Rebugbawa (Eregbouwa)
 Lapele (actually Lagele in Benin)
 Kamoju Olowoto

Traditionally, Ikorudu is divided broadly into 3 for ease of representative democracy

IJOMU, AGA & ISELE which are represented in OSUGBO - the highest administrative
office in the town headed by Olisa as Chairman of IWAREFA while (OLUWO is the
administrative head)
Late Oba Adenaike Alegbe, the Oloja of Ikorodu was installed Adegorushin on Monday
3rd June 1929 at the age of 75. He was formally crowned the Ayangburen of Ikorodu.

Oba Alagbe is recognised in Ikorodu history as a transition-ruler. Not only for being
the last Oloja and the first Oba to be crowned Ayangburen, he was also instrumental
in the movement of the palace from Awofin in Ajina to Alyeluja when the community
felt it was high time they built a befitting new palace for the traditional ruler of the
town. A new world was discovered on the other side of the city wall, the present
location of the palace Ayangburen of Ikorodu.

The Present Monarch (Ayangbure) of Ikorodu is

Oba Salaudeen Adekoya Afolabi Oyefusi,Oguntade II  (Rademo Ruling House)

            PAST TRADITIONAL RULERS (KINGS) OF IKORODU

10. Idewu Alagbo

1. Lasunwon
2. Rademo 11. Orelaja Odunbu
3. Olugbekan 12. Ogunlaru (of Igode)
4. Dotelu 13. Aina Odubote
5. Kaalu 14. Odujowon Araba
6. Ogutade I 15. Ajayi Owujebe (1895 - 1928)
7. Oduboku 16. Adenaike Alagbe (1929 - 1951)
8. Kuyina 17. Samuel Oderinde Ladega (1953 - 1970)
9. Ireshe 18. Salauden A. A. Oyefusi, Oguntade II (1971 - present)

PAST OLISAS OF IKORODU (Traditional Prime Ministers)

7. Olisa Oduntan
1. Olisa Rebugbawa
2. Olisa Lapele 8. Olisa Okuyeru
3. Olisa Kamoju 9. Olisa Awodeinde
4. Olisa Kakabi 10. Olisa Onafowokan
5. Olisa Odeko 11. Olisa Shobowale
6. Olisa Olomu 12. Olisa Chief S. O. Keeji (Incumbent)

Emergency Numbers (112, 767)

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