Ibadan: The City of the Firsts

Ibadan holds a long list of firsts in Nigeria’s history and indeed in Africa as a whole.

It is the home of the First television in Africa (NTA Ibadan)

First Nigerian University (University of Ibadan, U.I),

First University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria (University College hospital, UCH),

First Sports Stadium in Africa (Liberty House) and

First city to produce a club side that won international trophy for Nigeria, I.e. African Cup Winner’s Cup in 1976 (IICC shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan, now 3SC). What a Record!

Aside the aforementioned, Ibadan is the largest city in Sub-Sahara West Africa. It is the largest city in terms of geographical mass. It was the former Capital of Old West Region excluding Lagos. Ibadan the current capital of Oyo state, with its historical significance in the affairs of the Old Oyo Empire, is naturally endowed with a lot of places to see and its location is the edge of Yoruba heartland that make it ideal location for exploration of the major Yoruba cities. By the end of 1829, Ibadan dominated Yoruba region, Militarily, politically, Economically and socially, Ibadan became the British protectorate in 1893 to facilitate their commercial activities.

In the 1960’s, Ibadan City was the Largest and most populous city in Nigeria, interestingly; the city was also the third Largest in Africa, after Cairo City in Egypt, and Johannesburg city in south Africa. The city of firsts has also produced great men and women, who have contributed to the socio-economic development of the city and Nigeria in general that are too numerous to mention. Spreading like wild fire, the city is accommodating and very peaceful to work and live in.

In fact, the City is the most peaceful place in present day Nigeria. The Indigenes are very friendly and accommodating as well. The economic buoyancy of the city is irresistible for all kinds of business, ranging from oil to gas, telecommunications, food and beverage, fabrics and real estate, etc.

The economic power, coupled with the peaceful nature of the city attracts lots of its neighbouring inhabitants. Ibadan Indigenes are amiable, quite welcoming, which made for its expansion. As in any typical Yoruba city, its population comprises sub-groups of Ibadan, Egba, Ijebu, Ijesha and Ondo. In addition, other ethnic groups with lower but still significant importance in the city’s social and economic development are the Igbo, Edo, Hausa, Urhobo, Ebira, Efik, Ijaw, Ibibio, Fulani, Itsekiri, Tiv, and other Nigerian ethnic extractions talk less of numerous foreigners from various countries of the world, engaged in various field of endeavours.

No doubts, Ibadan city is the political centre of Yoruba land that grew out of its rich cultural values of the military strength of its founders and early settlers. In this regard, it boasts as the only city that remains uncaptured to date during and after the inter-tribal wars of the 18^th and 19^th centuries before the advent of the British administration in Nigeria. It has served as the administrative centre for the whole region of Southwest, Nigeria. The Ibadan city record is unbeatable. By the 1991 census, its population was above two third of the entire population of Oyo state. The population was projected to 2,430,337 by 2002, at an annual growth rate of 28%. The actual population now should be over 5million. In fact, the rapid expansion of the “city” in recent years showcase the peaceful and amiable nature of Ibadan people.