This guide comprehensively lists the local government areas in Ekiti state and their chairman. Ekiti State is in southwestern Nigeria and was created in 1996 from part of Ondo State.
The state is named after the Ekiti people, a Yoruba subgroup who make up most of its population. Ado-Ekiti is the capital city. Ekiti is one of Nigeria’s smallest states by size and population, with around 3.7 million people in 2025.
The state is known for having the highest number of professors in Nigeria, making it a very educated state. However, the state’s economy is mainly based on farming, with crops like yams, rice, cocoa, and cassava.
Logging and tourism are also important. Ekiti has beautiful natural areas, including forests and rare animals like the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. In 2022, Ekiti adopted the Obeche tree as its state symbol.
Historically, Ekiti was part of the Oyo Empire, Benin Empire, and later the Ekiti Confederacy. It played a part in the Kiriji War (1877-1893) before becoming part of British Nigeria.
After independence, it became part of the Western Region and later Ondo State, before becoming its state. Ekiti is often called the heart of the Ekiti people’s homeland.
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List Of Local Government Areas In Ekiti State And Their Chairmen
Ekiti state has 16 local governments, and elected chairman:
- Ado-Ekiti LGA – Hon. Bosun Osaloni
- Efon LGA – Engr. Stephen Olabode A.
- Ekiti East LGA – Hon. Ojo Oluwasegun S.
- Ekiti South-West LGA – Hon. Apolola Richard
- Ekiti West LGA – Hon. Sesan Okere
- Emure LGA – Hon. Adu Joseph
- Ayekire (Gbonyin) LGA – Hon. Prince Fadumiye A.
- Ido/Osi LGA – Hon. Sola Ogunsina
- Ijero LGA – Hon. Adeola Adeyemo M.Y.
- Ikere LGA – Hon. Ayodele Femi
- Ikole LGA – Hon. Olominu Sola
- Ilejemeje LGA – Hon. Osadare Oloruntoba P.
- Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA – Hon. Babatola Ogundana
- Ise/Orun LGA – Engr. Joshua Ayodele A.
- Moba LGA – Hon. Adeoye Ibukun O.
- Oye LGA – Hon. Sunday Ajimoko
Which LGA Is The Biggest In Ekiti State By Land Mass?
The most populated local government area in Ekiti State is Ado Ekiti. Ado Ekiti is not only the capital city of the state but also its largest urban center.
The population of Ado Ekiti was recorded as 494,800 in the 2025 population projection. However, the people living in Ado Ekiti belong mainly to the Ekiti sub-ethnic group of the Yoruba people.
Over the years, the city has grown both in size and value, attracting more residents due to its state’s political, economic, and cultural hub.
The city’s traditional roots remain an important part of its identity, with the Ewi of Ado Ekiti serving as the traditional ruler.
Ado Ekiti has a humid climate during the rainy season and a warm, partly cloudy atmosphere during the dry season. This makes the period from November to February the most comfortable time for outdoor activities in the city.
Economically, Ado Ekiti thrives on agriculture and trade. Residents cultivate yams, cassava, grains, and tobacco, while cotton is grown for weaving.
The city has local markets where these products are sold, contributing to its economy. Additionally, the city is home to several educational institutions, such as Ekiti State University and Afe Babalola University.
Media outlets and industries also add to the city’s vibrancy, with different radio and television stations serving the population.
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Which LGA Is The Biggest In Ekiti State By Land Mass?
Ikole LGA is the largest Local Government Area in Ekiti State by land mass covering 874.94 square kilometers. This makes it the biggest of the 16 LGAs in the state, taking up about 15% of Ekiti’s total land area.
Ikole LGA is located in the northern part of Ekiti and shares boundaries with Oye LGA to the west and Kogi State to the northeast.
Its administrative headquarters is in Ikole-Ekiti, connecting several smaller towns and villages in the area. Ikole is known for its large, fertile lands, which make it an important agricultural hub in Ekiti State.
Farmers in the area grow crops such as cocoa, cassava, yam, maize, and plantain. These crops are not only essential for the local economy but also contribute to the state’s overall food supply.
Agriculture plays a big part in the daily lives of people in Ikole, as it provides jobs and sustains families. The LGA is also rich in culture and traditions.
Many communities celebrate traditional festivals that showcase their customs and attract visitors from different parts of the state.
The cultural diversity of Ikole is one of its strong points, as people from different ethnic backgrounds live together peacefully and share in the area’s vibrant traditions. Ikole has also seen infrastructure improvements, especially in road networks that connect its towns and villages.
