Culture

Fayemi Fakayode Clarifies Origin of Ibadan Name

Published

10 months ago

November 11, 2025

Fayemi Fakayode clarifies that Ibadan derives from Iba + Odan, correcting misconceptions about the Yoruba city’s historical name origin

The origin of Ibadan has been clarified by the President of the International Council for Ifa Religion, Fayemi Fakayode, who corrected a long-standing misconception about the name of the ancient Yoruba city.

Also read: Ibadan Set for Oba Rashidi Ladoja’s Coronation as Olubadan

Speaking at the 2025 Osemeji Obamoro Conference in Ibadan on Saturday, Fakayode explained that Ibadan’s name derives from Iba + Odan, not Eba + Odan, as commonly believed.

He noted that if the city’s name had been Eba + Odan, linguistic evolution would have naturally transformed it into “Ebadan.”

“Iba + Odan naturally evolved into ‘Ibadan’,” he said. “Iba refers to a pantry, while Odan means meadow. Thus, Ilébà/Ibà Òdàn translates as ‘pantry in the meadow’.”

Fakayode further dismissed claims that European colonists mispronounced the city’s name. He argued that English contains the sound ‘Ẹ’, as in words like ‘Elephant’ and ‘Egg’, and Europeans could have pronounced Ebadan correctly if that had been the origin.

The conference also featured a presentation by Dasola Fadiran, former Secretary of the Oyo State Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, on “The Roles of Isese Practitioners in Economic Development.”

Fadiran highlighted the contributions of traditional art, herbal remedies, cultural products, and festivals to tourism and economic growth.

Fadiran observed that the long-held belief that Ibadan was named from Eba Odan, meaning “by the edge of the meadow,” stemmed from historical interpretations of the city’s founding as a military and trade hub in the 19th century.

Refugees and warriors from Ife, Oyo, Ijebu, and Egba settlements transformed the area from a temporary outpost into a major Yoruba power centre.

Also read: Oba Rashidi Ladoja Crowned 44th Olubadan of Ibadan

Fakayode urged historians and educators to teach the correct origin of Ibadan to ensure that future generations have a more accurate understanding of their heritage.

Up Next

FCT Launches African Weaving Festival 2025 to Celebrate Culture

Don't Miss

Olubadan of Ibadanland Elevates Five Traditional Chiefs

Click to comment

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”