RECLAIMING ILORIN: OLD OYO-ILE DIASPORA, IDENTITY, AND POWER IN A FRONTIER YORUBA CITY (1823–2003)

This study examined the history of the Old Oyo-Ile Diaspora, with emphasis on Ilorin from 1823 to 2003. The emergence of Ilorin as an independent entity out of the Old Oyo Empire could not have been possible without the help of the Fulani elements who were invited by Afonja to Ilorin.. Ilorin was and is a Yoruba town, but appears to be erroneously regarded as a Hausa-Fulani society in which its Diaspora contributions in the development of Nigeria become exempted from such productivity. The study is a modest attempt to breakdown such subsumed understanding which present Oyo-Ile as a distinct group in Ilorin. This is significant as it assesses the impact of Oyo-Ile Diaspora on the broader Yoruba nationality and will contribute to the understanding of the historical process of migration and Diaspora within the context of old Oyo-Ile. The data for this study were generated through the primary source of oral traditions and ethnography as well as the secondary sources of published works and unpublished texts. The study adopted a descriptive historical method. The theoretical framework guiding the present study centered on analysis with frameworks of functionalism, conflict theory, national development and migration. The series of the quadruple connections they share become difficult to divorce and provided the flexible nexus which is apt in holding together the different dimensions of the study. The findings revealed that Ilorin was not founded by the Hausa-Fulani elements. It also revealed that Oyo-Ile Diaspora community have contributed immensely to the development of the Nigerian nation and thus deserve an appropriate place in the history of Nigeria. The study therefore, recommends that the study of Ilorin, with respect to Oyo-Ile/Afonja and their historical antecedents be encouraged and promoted in institutions of learning and administration.