The Ondo State Government has reaffirmed that Eba Island belongs to Ondo State, stating that extensive historical and archival evidence supports its claim amid the emerging territorial dispute with neighbouring Ogun State.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Dr Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), made the declaration after conducting what he described as a forensic investigation of colonial records in the United Kingdom.
Ajulo said documents examined at the British Library and the National Archives at Kew clearly showed that Eba Island historically formed part of Atijere in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to him, colonial administrative maps, intelligence reports, treaties and boundary documents from the Lagos Colony era and post-1914 amalgamation consistently placed Eba Island within the Ilaje/Mahin territory under Ondo administration.
He noted that among the records reviewed were colonial boundary maps, intelligence reports on the Ondo Province covering the Okitipupa Division, treaty documents signed in 1885 by the Amapetu of Mahin with colonial authorities, as well as forestry reserve plans and cadastral surveys from the 1930s.
Ajulo explained that the historical documents showed Eba Island had long been administered under the Atijere Native Authority and later incorporated into the Ilaje District Council.
He added that the island remained within Ilaje Local Government Area through subsequent administrative reforms, including the creation of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Local Government in 1975 and the establishment of Ese-Odo Local Government in 1997.
The Attorney General also referenced earlier official visits by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (now NNPCL) and other federal agencies to the island during the administration of former Ondo State Governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko, noting that the agencies recognised the territory as part of Ondo State.
Ajulo argued that historically, geographically and administratively, Eba Island has always belonged to the Ilaje people, stressing that no court ruling, gazette or boundary adjustment has transferred the island to Ogun State.
He maintained that under the 1999 Constitution and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, benefits accruing from oil resources are determined by the territorial location of the resource and its host communities.
While urging calm among residents along the coastal communities, Ajulo warned that Ondo State would defend its territorial integrity through lawful means if necessary.
He added that the National Boundary Commission remains the appropriate body to address any formal dispute over the boundary.
The claim comes amid growing debate over the ownership of Eba Island, which is believed to host significant oil deposits along the coastal boundary between Ondo and Ogun states.
