Ilaje

Ilaje refers to an ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria, concentrated along the Atlantic coast in Ondo State and extending into parts of Lagos State. The Ilaje are a riverine and coastal people, historically dependent on fishing and related trades. Their homeland spans a network of creeks and lagoons, with Igbokoda among the best-known towns and the administrative center of the Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State.

Language and people: They speak the Ilaje language, a Niger-Congo language with multiple dialects tied to individual communities. Literacy and education have led many Ilaje to be bilingual in Yoruba and English or Nigerian Pidgin.

History and society: The Ilaje have long-standing links with neighboring Yoruba and other Niger Delta groups through trade, marriage, and migration. Traditional leadership structures exist at the local level, often including community heads and village chiefs. Social organization centers on extended families and clan networks.

Economy and environment: Traditionally focused on fishing, mangrove farming, and small-scale trade, Ilaje communities have also been affected by oil and gas development along the Nigerian coast. Economic activity now includes fishing, agriculture, crafts, and informal commerce, with environmental challenges such as oil pollution shaping livelihoods.

Notable features: The Ilaje coastal communities are part of Nigeria’s riverine belt and have distinctive cultural practices and festivals tied to the sea and seasonal cycles.