Kwara is located in the western part of Nigeria. Its capital is Ilorin city. The state is also located within the North Central geopolitical zone. The major ethnic group in Kwara state is Yoruba while other minority groups such as Nupe, Bariba, and Fulani exist. Kwara State was created on the 27th of May 1967 by the military government of General Yakubu Gowon, who broke the four regions that made up the Federation of Nigeria into 12 states. When Kwara state was created, the state was made up of the former Ilorin and Kabba provinces. Initially, it was called the West-central state. However, the name was later changed to ‘Kwara’, a local name for the River Niger. Kwara state has numerous mineral resources such as tourmaline, tantalite, and other mineral deposits. This article covers a list of local governments in Kwara state and other information you need to know about them.
List of Local Governments in Kwara State
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Asa
Asa has its headquarters in the town of Afon. According to the 2006 census, Asa has a population of 126,435 people.
Baruten
Baruten is located in the North-Central district of Kwara State. It shares a long border with the Republic of Benin. Its headquarters is in the town of Kosubosu. One of the border towns is Chikanda, which is known for oil importation and exportation. The main language of Baruten is Baruba. Other languages spoken in Baruten include Yoruba, French, Pidgin, Hausa, and Fulani. According to the 2006 census, Baruten has a population of 209,459 people. The postal code of the area is 242. The Baruten LGA includes a part of the Borgu Game Reserve.
Edu
Edu is a Nupe speaking local government area in Kwara state. Its headquarters are in the town of Lafiagi. According to the 2006 census, Edu has a population of 201,469 people. The postal code of the area is 243.
Ekiti
Ekiti local Government Area has its headquarters in the town of Araromi Opin.
According to the 2006 census, Ekiti LGA has a population of 54,850 people. The postal code of the area is 252
The present headquarters of Ekiti Local Government did not used to be a known community, but a compound from Isolo-Opin. It however became a legal tussle which caused communal unrest between Araromi Opin and Isolo- Opin when the local government was created. A court judgment later declared Isolo-Opin as the entitled headquarter. However, a change of name has been difficult due to political issues and legislative processes.
Ifelodun
Ifelodun has its headquarters is in the town of Share. The major inhabitants of Ifelodun are Yorubas, who are mostly of Igbomina origin. Much of the Ifelodun area was overtaken by the Afonja/Alimi era and became a part of Ilorin. According to the 2006 census, Ifelodun has a population of 206,042 people. Ifelodun has at least 80 villages and towns. The postal code of the area is 241.
Ilorin East
Its headquarters are in the town of Oke Oyi. According to the 2006 census, Ilorin East has a population of 204,310 people.
Ilorin South
Ilorin South has its headquarters in the town of Fufu. According to the 2006 census, Ilorin South has a population of 208,691 people.
Ilorin West
Ilorin West has its headquarters are in the town of Wara Osin. According to the 2006 census, Ilorin West LGA has a population of 364,666 people.
Irepodun
Its headquarters are in the town of Omu-Aran. According to the 2006 census, Irepodun has a population of 148,610 people. Irepodun is a historical area with a very rich Yoruba culture. The area is populated by the Igbomina people. One of the popular areas in Irepodun is the Esiẹ Museum is a museum in Esiẹ town, Irepodun. Esie museum was the first to be established in Nigeria when it opened in 1945.
Isin
Isin local government area was carved out from the old Irepodun Local Government Area in 1996. Its headquarters is at Owu-Isin. According to the 2006 census, Isin local government has a population of 59,738 people. The Isin people are primarily from the Igbomina tribe. Although Yoruba is the major language spoken in Isin, the dialect agrees with major Igbomina.
Kaiama
Kaiama is both a Local Government Area and town in Kwara State. Its headquarters are in the town of Kaiama. According to the 2006 census, Kaiama has a population of 124,164 people. The major language spoken across the area is Bokobaru. However, Adena and Bani wards speak Fulani and Yoruba/Hausa languages respectively. A popular festival celebrated annually in Kaiama is Gani, a festival for initiating and baptizing children of royal families. The Local Government Area is also one of the food baskets of Nigeria.
Moro
According to the 2006 census, Moro has a population of 108,792 people.
Offa
Offa is both a city and Local government area located in Kwara State. Offa has a population of about 120,100 people. The vegetation in Offa is savanna vegetation. The town is known for its weaving and dyeing trade. They use vegetable dyes made from locally grown indigo and other plants.
Offa is well known for cultivating sweet potatoes and maize which is also favourite staple foods of the indigenes in the town. Offa is the second largest town in Kwara state. Offa was founded towards the end of the 14th century by a Yoruba prince from Oyo.
Oke Ero
Its headquarters are in the town of Iloffa. The vegetation is tropical and suitable for agriculture, which makes the local economy a hub for cash crops.
Oyun
Oyun has its headquarters in the town of Ilemona. According to the 2006 census, Oyun has a population of 94,253 people.
Pategi
Pategi has its headquarters in Pategi town. The town is the headquarters of Pategi Emirate. Pategi is majorly inhabited by the Nupe people who speak a variety of Yoruba. The inhabitants of Pategi that are Nupe people are majorly farmers and fishermen. They are also known to be very industrious.