OIL-RICH EBA ISLAND: ONDO MONARCHS APPEAL TO FG FOR RESOLUTION

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By: Balogun Ibrahim

Traditional rulers and community leaders from Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State have rejected claims by neighboring Ogun State over the ownership of Eba Island, situated along the boundary of the two western states.

The oil-rich island has been at the center of a territorial dispute, with both Ondo and Ogun States asserting control.

The Ogun State Government recently reaffirmed its jurisdiction over the island, placing it under Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, and dismissed Ondo’s claims as misleading and capable of sparking unnecessary communal tensions.

In response, Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Kayode Ajulo described the dispute as “astonishing,” stressing that official records and decades of administration have long recognised Eba Island as part of Ondo State territory.

In response, the Ilaje monarchs, under the Ilaje Local Government Traditional Chieftaincy Committee, issued a statement on Thursday urging the Federal Government to intervene and avert a potential communal crisis.

The statement was jointly signed by Oba Williams Akinyomi, Amapetu of Mahinland and chairman of the committee, and Oba Femi Ogbaro, Odoka of Ogbara Kingdom and secretary.

The monarchs maintained that claims by traditional rulers from Ogun Waterside and the Ijebu axis are historically inaccurate and contradict established administrative and geographical records, asserting that Eba Island rightfully belongs to Ondo State.

“Eba Island, along with Atijere and several surrounding settlements, has historically been part of Ilaje land and remains under the jurisdiction of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State,” the statement partly read.

The monarchs noted that historical records clearly mark the pre-colonial boundary between the Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje and the Ijebu (Ogun State) axis at the meeting point of the red and white sand at the Efire/Ofara River, a natural landmark that still exists today.

They added, “Regarding the land dispute between Ogun and Ondo State, the way forward is to inform the Federal and State Governments that Eba Island is in Ilaje land, Atijere, Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State. We are calling for a committee to be established to prevent a crisis.

“We respect the Federal Government and the President of Nigeria for their interventions and trust that equity and justice will prevail. Our message to the Ogun Government is clear: they should remain within their jurisdiction; we will not allow claims on illegitimate lands. If the issue is unresolved, we are prepared to pursue legal avenues. Ultimately, if compromise fails, the legal route will be followed.”

The monarchs also cited electoral evidence, highlighting that Lugboroko Polling Unit 24 and Basa Polling Unit 21, both located within the Eba Island Forest Reserve, fall under Mahin Ward IV, Ilaje Local Government Area. They argued that the operation of these polling units within Nigeria’s electoral framework further confirms Ilaje’s long-standing administrative control.

Recalling historical context, the monarchs noted that when the Mahin District was incorporated into the Lagos Colony in 1895, Atijere and surrounding communities were part of the district. The creation of the Atijere Native Court in 1937 placed Eba Island and nearby settlements under its jurisdiction, reinforcing both traditional and administrative ties to Ilaje territory.

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They added that when Atijere became the headquarters of the Ilaje District Council in 1955, Eba Island and its surrounding areas were placed directly under its authority—a status that has remained unchanged through subsequent administrative restructures, including the establishment of Ilaje Local Government.

Speaking on the matter, the Monarch of Atijere Kingdom, Oba Samuel Adeoye, urged the Federal Government and the concerned state governments to hold a roundtable discussion.

“There may be a need for both states to come together for a frank roundtable discussion. If either party is insincere or tries to access resources that do not belong to them, the dispute may continue,” he said.

“There should be a meeting where both communities and state governments can sit down, review all issues, and resolve them amicably. I believe God will give us the wisdom to achieve this,” Oba Adeoye added.

While expressing support for the exploration and development of oil in the Eba area, the Ilaje traditional rulers reaffirmed that they would resist any attempt to annex Ilaje land.

They also called for an on-site investigation involving representatives from the affected communities and both states to settle the dispute.