Ekiti State: Where nature, nobility and knowledge meet, by Dayo Adedayo

My first encounter with Ekiti State was in the early 1970s, long before its official creation, through the poetic sounds of Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, whose timeless lyrics spoke of Ekiti’s proud towns, noble sons, and radiant daughters.

Listening to the musicians of Old in Yorubaland was like flipping through the pages of an epic novel. I still remember the late Chief Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s ode to Disneyland, his words so vivid, they inspired countless dreams and journeys. And so it was with a mind filled with wonder that I visited Ekiti in 2005, during my voyage of discovering the soul of Nigeria.

Now, twenty years later, standing once again on Ekiti’s soil, I am overwhelmed by its majestic beauty, its grace still untouched, its essence still unspoiled. The rolling emerald hills that usher you in just after Osun State feel like nature’s own red carpet, inviting you into the “Land of Honour and Integrity,” the “Fountain of Knowledge”.

Ekiti is not just a state. It is an experience. One that every soul must encounter before bidding this world farewell.

The people are warm, the cuisine is soulful, and if you’re a nature lover, the freshly tapped palm wine alone is enough to keep your spirit here a little longer.

Driving from Erimo through Iwaraja, a question rises and lingers: Why aren’t we taking this country more seriously in tourism? All around you is a banquet of green, untouched, unfiltered, and divine. The landscape whispers serenity, and in those moments, I imagined leaving everything behind and finding quiet solitude in this paradise.

In Efon Alaye, the clouds rest gently on the hills like a soft cotton quilt, no less magical than the famed Mambilla Plateau or the celebrated Obudu Resort. It steals your breath and fills you with reverence. My camera and words fail to do it justice. You simply must see it for yourself.

From Efon Alaye to Ipole, and finally to Ikogosi, every kilometre unravels stories etched into the rocks and rivers. The Gossy bottling company stands proud, and just beyond it, Nigeria’s premier resort, Ikogosi Warm Spring, awaits like a hidden gem rediscovered.

Ikogosi Warm Spring is no longer what I met in 2005. It has been reborn. Now, a world-class sanctuary, it welcomes you with a touch of elegance that feels almost surreal. From the gate to the reception, every corner whispers hospitality. My room overlooked a scene so serene, I paused to question whether I was still in Nigeria.

There is now a stunning boardwalk leading to the spring, a masterclass in eco-tourism. The point where cold and warm waters meet is now well mapped and accessible, turning a natural wonder into a living classroom. The tour guide didn’t just recite facts; he told stories. Prepare to spend an entire day there, absorbing, wondering, and learning.

You will see the cold springs dancing their way through nature, meeting the warm spring which flows from a different source. They unite at a confluence where life thrives in one stream and is absent in the other, a natural paradox, symbolic, beautiful, and spiritual.

From Ikogosi, the journey continues through Erijiyan, Ilawe, Odo, and into Ado Ekiti, the bustling capital. Though Ado bears the usual city charm, it is the roads leading out towards Iloro, Iworo, Ifaki, Ayegbaju, Oye, Ilupeju, Ikere—that truly steal the show. The rock formations in these towns are geological poetry timeless, majestic, humbling.

My return to Ikogosi after two decades was no coincidence. It was destiny calling. With my newest book project on Ekiti State, I had no choice but to experience its heartbeat again. And what a heartbeat it is.

I owe profound gratitude to His Excellency, Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for opening the gates of Ekiti and granting me the honour of documenting a civilization so rich, so noble.

My sincere thanks to Mrs Abiola Adelana, whose introduction made this dream a reality. To Professor Rasak Ojo Bakare, my longtime friend since the days of the first Abuja Carnival in 2005, and our globetrotting adventures with the Heart of Africa project, I salute you. And to Wale Ojo, the indefatigable Director General of Ekiti Tourism, your energy and passion are a marvel.

Ekiti State, the book, is coming this December. It will take you through the hills and hamlets, palaces and myths, scholars, and kings. It celebrates a land where knowledge reigns, where honour is worn like a crown, and where beauty is both within and without.

This is more than a pictorial tribute. It is my best book yet, and a gift to every Ekiti indigene and every curious soul who wishes to see Nigeria through the eyes of wonder.

–Adedayo is a destination photographer and documentarist