Ekiti State sits in Nigeria’s South West geopolitical zone, with its capital at Ado-Ekiti. The state has 16 local government areas and recorded a population of 2,398,957 at the 2006 census, projected to 3,592,200 by 2022. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.
Local Government Areas in Ekiti State
Ekiti’s 16 LGAs range from the state capital, Ado Ekiti, to smaller rural areas such as Ilejemeje. Several LGAs carry a compound official name, such as Aiyekire (also known locally as Gbonyin), Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ise/Orun, reflecting older district mergers. The table below gives each LGA’s 2006 census figure and 2022 projection.
| LGA | 2006 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Ado Ekiti | 313,690 | 469,700 |
| Aiyekire | 147,999 | 221,600 |
| Efon | 87,187 | 130,600 |
| Ekiti East | 138,340 | 207,100 |
| Ekiti South West | 165,087 | 247,200 |
| Ekiti West | 179,600 | 268,900 |
| Emure | 94,264 | 141,200 |
| Ido-Osi | 160,001 | 239,600 |
| Ijero | 221,873 | 332,200 |
| Ikere | 148,558 | 222,400 |
| Ikole | 170,414 | 255,200 |
| Ilejemeje | 43,459 | 65,100 |
| Irepodun/Ifelodun | 131,330 | 196,700 |
| Ise/Orun | 113,951 | 170,600 |
| Moba | 145,408 | 217,700 |
| Oye | 137,796 | 206,300 |
Ekiti State has 16 official local government areas, and 8 of them have full town-and-village lists on this site. The remaining LGAs are listed here with their population figures only, and we will add full settlement lists for them over time.
Geography
Ekiti is a landlocked state on the Yoruba hill country of southwestern Nigeria. It borders Kwara and Kogi to the north, Osun to the west, and Ondo to the east and south. The terrain is mostly rolling hills and granite rock outcrops, higher and cooler than the coastal plains further south, and the state has no coastline or major navigable river. Vegetation ranges from tropical rainforest in the south to derived savanna in the north, and the state sits on a plateau known locally for its many hills. Notable landforms include the Olosunta and Orole hills near Ikere-Ekiti and the Arinta waterfalls near Ipole-Iloro, both well-known local landmarks that draw visitors from across the state. The Osun River, sacred in Yoruba tradition and the source of the Osun-Osogbo festival further south, rises in Ekiti near Igede-Ekiti before flowing on through Osun State. The state follows the typical southwestern Nigerian climate pattern, with a wet season running roughly from April to October and a shorter dry season the rest of the year. Most Ekiti towns sit at a noticeably higher elevation than neighbouring Ondo and Osun towns, which gives the state a slightly cooler climate for much of the year and shapes the crops farmers can grow at different points across the state.
Economy & Local Life
Farming anchors most of Ekiti’s rural economy, with cocoa, yam, cassava, maize and rice as the main crops. Many towns hold weekly markets that draw traders from neighbouring LGAs. Civil service employment is significant given the state’s role as an administrative centre, and education is a mainstay too: Ekiti hosts several tertiary institutions, including a state university in Ado-Ekiti, and is often described locally as a hub of learning within the South West. The Ikogosi warm springs, where a warm spring and a cold spring meet, is a long-standing local tourist attraction. Cocoa in particular links many communities to processing and trade routes running through the wider South West region, and craft weaving remains a household trade in several towns. Several LGAs also support small cocoa and cassava processing operations that serve surrounding farming communities, and weekly markets in Ado-Ekiti and other major towns remain central to local commerce, drawing traders and buyers from across the state. Ekiti is often nicknamed the “Fountain of Knowledge” for its concentration of schools and its long record of producing teachers, academics and professionals across Nigeria, a reputation that shapes daily life in many of its towns.
FAQ
How many local government areas are in Ekiti State?
Ekiti State has 16 local government areas.
What is the capital of Ekiti State?
Ado-Ekiti is the capital of Ekiti State.
What is the population of Ekiti State?
Ekiti State recorded a population of 2,398,957 at the 2006 census, projected to grow to 3,592,200 by 2022. That is up from 1,535,790 recorded in the 1991 census.
Which LGA in Ekiti State has the largest population?
Ado Ekiti LGA has the largest population, with 313,690 recorded at the 2006 census and a 2022 projection of 469,700. It is also home to the state capital, Ado-Ekiti.
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