Offa

Offa is a historic town located in Kwara State, central Nigeria. It was founded around 1395 by a legendary hunter named Olalomi Olofagangan, who hailed from Oyo and was a direct descendant of King Oranmiyan of Ile-Ife. The town's name derives from the Yoruba word "Ofa" (arrow), reflecting the hunter's tool. Historically, Offa became the headquarters of the Ibolo dialect of the Yoruba people and defended itself against Nupe and Fulani invasions during the turbulent wars of the old Oyo Empire.

The town boasts significant landmarks such as the Owode Market and the Federal Polytechnic Offa, established in 1992. Offa is celebrated for its rich cultural traditions, including the Ijakadi wrestling festival and the Onimoka festival, where a blindfolded man famously splits a yam tuber with miraculous precision. The town is renowned globally for its Aso Oke textile weaving, indigo dyeing, and the cultivation of sweet potatoes and maize. Offa Grammar School, founded in 1943, holds the distinction of being the first community grammar school in northern Nigeria.

The population of Offa is approximately 166,112, and it covers an area of about 95 square kilometers. The Yoruba form the majority of residents, alongside practitioners of Islam, Christianity, and traditional religions. The traditional rulership is vested in the Olofa, who is assisted by five high chiefs known as the Essa, Ojomu, Sawo, Asalofa, and Balogun.