Osun Fact File: Ile-Ife

Ife is an ancient town in Yoruba history and is regarded as the cradle of civilization. According to Yoruba tradition, Ife is the ancestral and spiritual home for all Yoruba. It is believed that the creation of the world started from Ife. Hence, it is popularly referred to as ‘’Land of the Source’’.
The Ooni of Ife is the traditional head and is highly revered amongst the Yoruba particularly and the nation in general.

Administratively, Ile-Ife has two local governments namely Ife Central and Ife East. The headquarters of Ife Central Local Government is on Ibadan Road while that of Ife East is at Oke Ogbo. The population of the two according to the 2006 National Census is put at 167,254 and 188,027 respectively.
Geographically, Ile- Ife lies on longitude 4° 69’E and latitude 70° 50′ N.The climate is tropical. Like every other Southwest area, the rainy season starts April to October while the dry season lasts October to March.
Ile-Ife is home to the Prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University and other important places like University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ife Museum of Antiquities, Opa Oranmiyan, Okemogun Shrine, Oduduwa Palace, Zoological Gardens and Odua Shrine. The Olojo Festival, an important event in the ancient town holds annually.