Our History

Offa was founded by Olalomi, a prince from Oyo. He was a descendant of Oranmiyan, the youngest of the grand children of Oduduwa. Oranmiyan left Ile-Ife and subsequently found Oyo. Out of all the territories founded by the other grandchildren of Oduduwa, Oyo was the most successful. It expanded and became an empire consisting of Yoruba’s and non-Yoruba’s, with the territory extending to the present-day Benin republic to west to hand Ilorin the north Olalomi, being an adventurous prince and a hunter left Oyo until he settled and found Offa. There were various settlements before the present site was finally chosen. These included Maika, Irese, Ilofa and Offa Esun. From then onwards, Offa became prosperous and successful. Because the territory under Oyo was so expansive, it was divided into four (4) regions for administrative effectiveness.

These four regions were Ekun Otun with headquarters at Igana: Ekun Osi with headquarters at Ikoyi: Ibolo with headquarters at Iresa and Epo with headquarters at Idide. Offa belonged to Ibolo region with other towns like Oyan, Okuku, Ikirun, Osogbo, Ido, Ilobu, Ejigbo and Ede. Within a short period, because of constant inter-tribal and intra-group wars, Offa became noted for its quality in terms of warriors and war generals. The headquarters of Ibolo region was thus changed to Offa. This was after the sacking of Iresa by Ilorin, in the early 19th century. Thereafter authority to other towns and villages emanated from Offa after receiving same from Oyo (the national headquarters). The Olofa became the head of other Obas in the IBOLO region between Offa and Iwo. Offa was so respected that hardly would there be war by any of the surrounding nations without them seeking for advice and tactical support from Offa. Offa could boast of war Generals like Balogun Ajayi Aare Onibon, aka Balogun Asegbe.

The resilient qualities of Offa were further demonstrated by its ability to return to the present site after it was sacked by war during the reign of Olumarin Anilelerin and subsequent migration to Ido-Osun for the first time. After their return, Offa people participated in other wars to assist other towns like Iseyin and Ikoyi (between 1878 and 1886). These were during the reign of Oba Morohunfolu Okunoye and his son, Oba Adegboye Atoloyetele. This was the level of respect that Offa earned until the tactical seizure of Olofa's staff of authority by Ilorin during the reign of Oba Adegboye Atoloyetele in 1886. Offa then migrated to Ido-Osun for the second time when Oba Adegboye founded Offatedo. A lot of things happen and Oba Adegboye was eventually persuaded to come back to Offa in 1902. Since then, Offa has been an important town in the comity of Yoruba towns. Offa was headquarters of Offa division between 1900-1917 and Olofa was a second class Oba.

The tactical seizure of Olofa's staff of authority, given to the Olofa (Oyeniran Ariwajoye I) by the British Resident, during the reign of Oba Adegboye by Ilorin denied Oba Adegboge the sovereignty as the Lord of Ibolo, thereby brought Offa under Ilorin province. It was in recognition of its importance in the region that the Nigerian railway line was extended to Offa in 1906. The advent of the British rule and the subsequent presence of a resident at Ilorin made Offa to continue to receive administrative instruction from Ilorin until the creation of Oyun Local Government Area in 1977 with the headquarters at Offa. Although the territory under Offa in Oyun LGA was smaller than those under Offa as headquarters of Ibolo region before 1887, this trend was the same for all major powers of that period. In the corresponding period Oyo Empire itself shrank to Oyo LGA that covered only Oyo town, Fiditi, Jobele and other towns and villages around Oyo.

The point being made here is that Offa has always been a very important town with a lot of political influence which was brought about mainly by its reputation in wars and resilience.