Araromi Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria info@eoae.org
Our Homeland — Ile Wa

Araromi-Ekiti

Founded by Dada Awuru — a younger prince of the Ajero of Ijero — Araromi-Ekiti traces its roots to Ita Ajero quarters in Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba people. A proud agrarian community of heritage, royalty, and quiet revolution.

Ijero
Local Govt. Area
Ekiti State
State
~37 km
From Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti Yoruba
Ethnic Heritage
Itan Wa

History & Heritage of Araromi-Ekiti

Araromi-Ekiti, formerly known as Era, is one of the twenty-two towns and villages that made up the old Ijero Kingdom — itself one of the sixteen confederated Ekiti Kingdoms before British colonial rule. Its people are off-shoots from the mother town, Ijero-Ekiti, who migrated from Ita Ajero quarters in Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba people.

The community was founded by Dada Awuru, a younger prince of the Ajero of Ijero. Oral tradition tells that Dada Awuru left Ile-Ife with the Ajero but later departed on a hunting expedition and subsequently got missing. After looking for him for a while and Upon finding his missing brother, the Ajero exclaimed: "Ati ri, Emo Ra Ooo!" — "We have finally found him, he is not missing" — and this gave the town its former name, ERA.

Dada Awuru later settled at Ijiko along Epe Road, where the people recognised his royal lineage and eventually crowned him king of the settlement. In time, the community moved to its present site and became known as Araromi-Ekiti.

On April 25th, 1936, T. B. Bovell-Jones, Assistant District Officer of the Ijero District Council, became the first European to visit the community — accompanied by High Chief Isaac Fasugba Adeniran, the Obanla, and High Chief D. S. Obasa, the Odofin of Ijero-Ekiti.

Since 1976, following the creation of the old Ondo State, Araromi-Ekiti has remained within Ijero Local Government Area. Together with Ara and Epe, it forms the political unit known as Ekameta Ward.

The Aláraromi Stool
Historically tied to the Ajero dynasty of Ijero-Ekiti. The monarch, formerly called the Elera, now bears the title Aláraromi of Araromi-Ekiti — a lineage spanning centuries from Ile-Ife.
Strategic Location
Situated ~37 km north-west of Ado-Ekiti, ~2 km from Epe-Ekiti, and ~8 km from Ijero-Ekiti. Approximately 280 km from Lagos and 300 km from Abuja.
Agrarian Roots
Araromi-Ekiti lies within the Ijero-Ekiti domain, historically a major producer of cocoa, kola nut, palm produce, and timber in old Western Nigeria — a heritage the community proudly upholds.
Three Quarters
Araromi-Ekiti is traditionally divided into Isha Quarter (headed by the Aláraromi), Ilaro Quarter (headed by the Odofin), and Oke-Era Quarter (headed by the Eisa).
Ìjọba Aṣà

Traditional Governance & Chieftaincy

Araromi-Ekiti operates under a rich traditional Yoruba system of rulership, anchored by the Ikori Mẹsán — the council of nine principal chiefs — and supported by several distinguished chieftaincy groups.

The Enumo (Ikori Mẹsán)

The core council led by the Aláraromi

  • Aláraromi (Traditional Monarch)
  • Odofin
  • Eisa
  • Aro
  • Asao
  • Ojumu
  • Ejemu
  • Ajana
  • Obalogbo
  • Eisikin
  • Asa
  • Eisaya

The Iwarefa Mẹfa

Council of Six Elders

  • Odofin
  • Eisa
  • Aro
  • Eisikin
  • Eisaba
  • Ejemu

Erinshe Titles

Ilaro Quarter lineage

  • Eisaba
  • Enurin
  • Odolofin
  • Saloro
  • Edemo

Uro Titles

Oke-Era Quarter lineage

  • Eisikin
  • Sajuku
  • Asha
  • Osolo
  • Alawe

Elegbe Titles

Ologun / warrior chiefs

  • Elebeyin
  • Sajiyan
  • Oshuta
  • Okunato
  • Ajaguna
  • Olukotun
  • Elekosi

The Three Quarters

Traditional territorial divisions

  • Isha Quarter — Headed by the Aláraromi (Ikore/Royal Family)
  • Ilaro Quarter — Headed by the Odofin (Aole Family, 1st branch)
  • Oke-Era Quarter — Headed by the Eisa (Aole Family, 2nd branch)
Awọn Iye Wa

What Makes Araromi-Ekiti Special

Unity — Isokan
From three quarters under one king, the people of Araromi-Ekiti have always stood as one. The Aláraromi's call to "carry your people along in critical decisions" remains the community's governing creed.
Culture — Àṣà
Rooted in Ekiti Yoruba tradition stretching back to Ile-Ife, Araromi-Ekiti celebrates its heritage through annual festivals, royal ceremonies, chieftaincy coronations, and the living memory of Dada Awuru.
Education — Ẹkọ
Araromi-Ekiti maintains primary schools and a Healthcare Centre, while an ever-growing number of its sons and daughters serve as teachers, civil servants, and professionals across Nigeria.
Agriculture — Iṣẹ Àgbẹ
Farming is the backbone of the community's identity and economy — from cocoa and kola nut to yam, cassava, maize, and palm produce. The land provides, and its people honour that gift.
Faith — Ìgbàgbọ́
African Traditional Religion forms the spiritual foundation of Araromi-Ekiti, enriched by growing Christian and Muslim communities whose several denominations now thrive side by side.
Legacy — Ìmọ̀ Ìpilẹ̀ṣẹ̀
As a frontier village of the ancient Ijero Kingdom and a living branch of the Ajero dynasty, Araromi-Ekiti carries the legacy of Ile-Ife — marching confidently into a modern era without losing its soul.
Ọrọ-Ajé

Economy of Araromi-Ekiti

Predominantly agrarian, Araromi-Ekiti's economy is anchored in farming, local commerce, and the growing contributions of its professional diaspora — all channelled back into communal development.

Agriculture

Farming is the backbone of Araromi-Ekiti's local economy. Key crops include cocoa, kola nut, palm produce, yam, cassava, and maize — with the Ijero domain historically being a major contributor of these to old Western Nigeria.

Trade & Commerce

Local markets serve as thriving centres of trade. Small and medium enterprises — from foodstuffs to artisanship — form a vibrant informal economy that supports hundreds of households across the community's three quarters.

Education & Civil Service

A growing number of Araromi indigenes serve as teachers, civil servants, healthcare workers, and public administrators — both locally in Ekiti State and across Nigeria's federal institutions — aided by the community's established primary schools and Healthcare Centre.

Diaspora Professionals

Araromi's diaspora — united through EOAE Worldwide — spans finance, medicine, engineering, law, and technology. Diaspora remittances and investments are increasingly significant drivers of infrastructure and development back home.

Skilled Trades & Crafts

Traditional craftsmanship — weaving, pottery, woodwork, and blacksmithing — continues alongside modern trades such as construction, tailoring, and automotive services, reflecting the community's deep-rooted self-reliance.

Infrastructure & Development

Under Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji's administration, Araromi-Ekiti has witnessed road construction and maintenance, electrification projects, and improved telecommunication connectivity — building the foundation for sustained economic growth.

EOAE Community Development Fund

Through levies, donations, and diaspora contributions, EOAE Worldwide channels resources into roads, schools, boreholes, and scholarships — investing directly in the economic future of Araromi-Ekiti and fulfilling Kabiyesi's vision of collective progress.

View Projects
Ìtàn Ìjọba

The Aláraromi Stool & Current Reign

The traditional head of Araromi-Ekiti is the Aláraromi — formerly known as the Elera. The stool is historically tied to the Ajero dynasty of Ijero-Ekiti, an illustrious branch of the Yoruba royal lineage descending from Ile-Ife.

Following the passing of Oba Caleb Adeoye Falomo on November 18, 2021, the stool became vacant. Through Ifa divination and consultations conducted by the recognized kingmakers, Prince Gabriel Adebomi Babatunde Babalola was selected as Aláraromi-elect — ratified by the Ekiti State Government in line with the Chieftaincy Law of 2012 (Cap C5).

In August 2024, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji officially installed Oba Gabriel Babatunde Adebomi Babalola, Oyiyosaye Araromi, Odimulele IV, as the Aláraromi of Araromi-Ekiti. The Staff and Instrument of Office were presented by Deputy Governor Chief Monisade Afuye on behalf of the Governor.

Since ascending the throne, Kabiyesi has upheld tradition and community discipline — pledging to promote unity, reconciliation, development, and the preservation of Araromi-Ekiti's heritage and dignity. Learned, urbane, and cosmopolitan, he embodies the fusion of ancient wisdom and modern grace.

Nov 18, 2021
Passing of Oba Caleb Adeoye Falomo — the stool of Aláraromi becomes vacant.
Selection
Prince Gabriel Adebomi Babatunde Babalola selected via Ifa divination by recognised kingmakers and ratified by Ekiti State Government under Chieftaincy Law 2012.
August 2024
Oba Gabriel Babatunde Adebomi Babalola, Oyiyosaye Araromi, Odimulele IV officially installed as Aláraromi by Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
June 14, 2025
Celebration of Honour — conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles on distinguished sons and daughters, including the Asiwaju, Erelu Atuase, Aare Bobagunwa & Yeye Bobagunwa.
July 23, 2025
Formal coronation of traditional chiefs nominated by their respective quarters — reaffirming Araromi-Ekiti's devotion to its time-honoured chieftaincy traditions.
Awọn Àyẹyẹ

Cultural Festivals of Araromi-Ekiti

Kakaaki-Oba Festival

The flagship cultural celebration of Araromi-Ekiti — featuring royal pageantry, the Omidan Kakaaki beauty and culture competition, traditional dances, and community exhibitions. Held annually under the auspices of the Aláraromi.

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New Yam Festival — Ọdún Ogun

A cherished harvest festival giving thanks for the bounty of Araromi's rich farmlands. Families gather to celebrate with traditional foods, music, and communal prayer — a vivid expression of the community's deep agrarian heritage.

Upcoming Events

Opa Festival

A major cultural and spiritual festival honouring the founding ancestors of Araromi-Ekiti — including Dada Awuru, the founding prince. Marked by sacred rites, masquerade performances, and communal gatherings that reaffirm the community's Yoruba identity.

Upcoming Events
Àwọn Ọlọ́lá

Notable Honourees — June 14, 2025

On June 14, 2025, the Royal Palace of Araromi-Ekiti became the scene of a historic Celebration of Honour, conferring chieftaincy titles on distinguished sons and daughters of the community.

Asiwaju of Araromi-Ekiti

Chief Gabriel Olusola Ajayi

A foremost son of the soil — celebrated electronics engineer, entrepreneur, and filmmaker. As Asiwaju, he is tasked with galvanising collective resources toward youth empowerment, education, cultural preservation, and civic leadership.

Erelu Atuase of Araromi-Ekiti

Alhaja Adejoke Islamiat Olatunji

A caregiver and philanthropist based in the United States, known for her compassion and support for widows, children, and vulnerable families. As Erelu Atuase, she bridges local needs with global opportunities for sustainable development.

Aare Bobagunwa & Yeye Bobagunwa

Chief & Chief (Mrs.) Owoseni

Distinguished business magnate and his supportive wife, jointly honoured in recognition of family values, entrepreneurship, and enduring commitment to community upliftment — especially through youth mentorship and enterprise development.