By Law Ibitoye
On October 1, 1996, a long-held aspiration of the Ekiti people became a political reality. On that historic day, the Federal Military Government under the leadership of the late General Sani Abacha created Ekiti State from the old Ondo State, alongside five other states, bringing the number of states in Nigeria to 36. Ekiti began its journey as a distinct political entity with 16 Local Government Areas and Ado-Ekiti as its capital.
Thirty years later, Ekiti stands at an important crossroads—old enough to look back with perspective, yet young enough to confront the future with ambition. The 30th anniversary is therefore more than a celebration, It is an opportunity to examine the dream that birthed the state, the journey so far, the gains and shortcomings of the past three decades, and the responsibility of today’s generation to determine what Ekiti becomes in the next 30 years. The creation of Ekiti State did not happen in isolation. It was the culmination of years of agitation, consultations and mobilisation by traditional rulers, political leaders, professionals, academics, civil servants, businessmen/women and ordinary citizens who believed that Ekiti people deserved a state of their own.
Fundamentally, Ekiti is about identity, self-determination and development with distinctive cultural heritage, strong attachment to education and deep traditional institutions, sought a political structure through which their collective aspirations could be better pursued.Among those who participated in the movement was Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who, according to the state government’s official record, served as a member and secretary of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State in 1996.
The creation of the state consequently represented the triumph of persistence. It was a victory not only for the political class but for generations of Ekiti people who believed that geographical and administrative boundaries could be used to accelerate the development of their homeland. Thirty years of political evolution , Ekiti political history since 1996 has been remarkable in its diversity. The state moved from military administration to democratic governance in 1999, when Otunba Niyi Adebayo became its first elected civilian governor. He was followed by Ayo Fayose, Segun Oni, Kayode Fayemi, Ayodele Fayose again, Fayemi again, and the incumbent, Biodun Oyebanji.
Each administration has operated within different economic, political and national circumstances. Each has also left footprints—some celebrated, others debated—in the evolution of the state.
The history of Ekiti politics has demonstrated the vibrancy of its electorates and the strength of political participation. It has also shown that political competition must ultimately serve the larger interest of the people than the few politicians and their cronies. As Ekiti prepares for the presidential and national Assembly elections, the lessons of the first 30 years should encourage political actors to place peace, development and institutional stability above partisan interests.
Ekiti’s enduring identity
If there is one attribute that has consistently featured in the story of Ekiti, it is the people’s attachment to education. It’s a known fact that Ekiti people have a strong love for education and the pursuit of knowledge. No wonder the state’s former slogan, “Fountain of Knowledge,” reflected this identity, while its current motto is “Land of Honour.”Over three decades, this human-capital strength has produced academics, professionals, administrators, entrepreneurs, journalists, politicians, technocrats and other accomplished Nigerians across the world. But at 30, Ekiti must ask a more fundamental question: How can its reputation for education be converted into sustainable economic opportunity for its educated population?
Producing graduates without sufficient opportunities for productive employment cannot be the ultimate measure of educational success. The next phase must connect education with technology, entrepreneurship, agriculture, industry, innovation and the emerging digital economy.
Infrastructure and development
From roads and electricity to healthcare, water, schools and public institutions, Ekiti has experienced significant physical transformation since 1996.
Successive administrations have undertaken projects aimed at opening up communities, improving connectivity and strengthening public services. The state government has itself described progress across infrastructure, health, education, the economy and social development over the years.
Ekiti State 30 years after creation, the infrastructure remains unfinished; Rural roads still require attention. Some communities need better electricity, healthcare facilities, potable water and educational infrastructure. The challenge, therefore, is not merely to build more projects but to create infrastructure that supports production, attracts investment that improves the quality of life while security should be upscaled
Ekiti’s strategic location between several states also presents opportunities for greater economic integration. Better roads, agricultural value chains, tourism infrastructure and digital connectivity can make the state more economically competitive.
Ekiti’s greatest asset is arguably not its landmass or mineral resources but its people.
With a population projected by the state government at about 4.35 million in 2024, the state possesses a substantial human resource base.The challenge is how to turn that human capital into economic power. Also, Agriculture remains important, but the future requires moving beyond subsistence production to commercial agriculture, agro-processing and value addition. Small and medium-scale enterprises need access to finance, markets, technology and appropriate infrastructure.The state’s young population also demands a deliberate employment strategy. The future Ekiti must be one where young people do not have to leave home to find opportunities elsewhere.
Thirty years of institutions
Statehood also created institutions that have become central to Ekiti’s identity.The judiciary, for instance, came into existence alongside the state on October 1, 1996 and was formally inaugurated in January 1997. It initially inherited judicial divisions and personnel from the former Ondo State.
Similarly, the creation of the state enabled the development of its own broadcasting service, civil service and other institutions. The Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State, for example, emerged from the separation of the state’s broadcasting structure from the old Ondo State system.These institutions are part of the architecture of statehood. Their effectiveness over the next three decades will be measured by their ability to deliver public value, protect citizens’ rights and support accountable governance.
Ekiti at 30: The work is not finished
Anniversaries naturally invite celebration, but they should equally provoke reflection. At 30, Ekiti has reasons to celebrate. The state survived its formative years, established democratic institutions, developed a distinct identity and recorded progress across several sectors. Previous state leaders have repeatedly acknowledged both the progress achieved and the distance still left to travel.
The real test is what Ekiti does with the opportunity.The next 30 years should be about building an economy that creates jobs, strengthening education beyond certificates, improving healthcare, expanding infrastructure, developing tourism, supporting innovation, empowering women and young people, strengthening local government administration and attracting responsible private investment. Most importantly, development must reach beyond Ado-Ekiti. The villages, towns and rural communities that make up the state must remain central to the development agenda.
From Ekiti @ 30 to Ekiti @ 60
The state government has already framed its 30th anniversary as an opportunity for young Ekiti people to imagine the Ekiti they want to see in 2056. Its official anniversary essay competition specifically asks young people to develop practical ideas around the economy, education, healthcare, communities, institutions, businesses and opportunities.
That’s the most appropriate way to approach the anniversary.
The generation that fought for Ekiti State in 1996 had a dream. The generation that inherited the state in 2026 now has a responsibility to enlarge that dream. Ekiti at 30 should therefore not merely ask, “How far have we come?” It should also ask, “Where do we want to go?”
The first 30 years were about establishing the state and consolidating its identity. The next 30 years must be about transforming that identity into prosperity, opportunity, innovation and inclusive development.
On October 1, 2026, Ekiti will celebrate three decades as a state.
It should be a celebration of the past, an honest assessment of the present and, above all, a commitment to the future.
“Thirty years after the dream became reality, the Ekiti project is still a work in progress. The responsibility now belongs to all Ekiti people—to preserve what has been achieved, correct what has not worked and build a state worthy of the sacrifices of its founding fathers and the aspirations of generations yet unborn”
Lawrence Ibitoye, a journalist writes from Ilupeju Ekiti, Ekiti state.