Ilorin

Ilorin is a historic city located in Kwara State, western Nigeria. It was founded in the late 18th century by the Yoruba people and became a provincial military headquarters of the Oyo Empire. In 1817, the field marshal Afonja led a rebellion for independence, but he was later assassinated, and Abd al-Salam, the son of the Islamic preacher Mallam Alimi, became emir around 1829, pledging allegiance to the Sokoto Caliphate. In 1897, the Royal Niger Company occupied the city, and in 1900 it was incorporated into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate.

Throughout the 19th century, Ilorin served as a major trade center between the Hausa of the north and the Yoruba of the south. In 1967, Kwara State was created, with Ilorin as its capital. Today, Ilorin is a significant educational and commercial hub in western Nigeria, hosting institutions such as the University of Ilorin and Kwara State Polytechnic, as well as major industries like the Olam cashew processing plant.

The population of Ilorin is approximately 908,490, and it covers a metropolitan area of about 765 square kilometers. While the Yoruba form the majority, the city is also home to Hausa, Fulani, Nupe, Bariba, and other ethnic groups. Islam and Christianity are the dominant religions in the city.