Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State is not just a blend of history, scenery and modernity; it is a place where religion is solemnized with culture. Its place as primus-inter-pares in the assembly of Nigerian cities needs no argument.
Ilorin is the city is a confluence of cultures, populated by Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Nupe, Baruba, other Nigerians and foreign nationals. There are very significant Christian and Islamic populations. Many ceremonial activities, mostly with religious aspects, take place in the city throughout the year.
The city has the biggest traditional pottery workshops in Nigeria. They are located in Dada area of Okelele, Eletu in Oju Ekun, Okekura, Oloje, Abe Emi and Ita Merin.
From its age-long hide and skin tanning industry to the traditional hand woven ASO-OKE simple loom weaving centres in the heart of the city, Ilorin produces wonderful leather and textiles products in large quantities.
The limestone and dolomite of Oreke, Idofian Kaolin, clay in several parts of the state, pure gold at Kaiama and Patigi area, and the highly exportable rich tantalite deposit of Iporin, make Kwara State rich in primary resources.
Ilorin is the city is a confluence of cultures, populated by Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Nupe, Baruba, other Nigerians and foreign nationals. There are very significant Christian and Islamic populations. Many ceremonial activities, mostly with religious aspects, take place in the city throughout the year.
Recently established industries include Dangote Flour Mills, Tuyil Pharmaceutical company, KAMWIL, Golden Confectionate Food Industries, Chellaram Motor-Cycle Assembly plants, and Rajrab Pharmaceuticals.
Ilorin has a creation park formerly Amusement Park, now renamed Metropolitan Park is located on Unity Road, next to Guaranty Trust Bank. The Kwara State Stadium Complex has an Olympic-sized swimming pool with facility for diving among others. The only purpose-built baseball park in Nigeria is located in the Adewole area of the city.
Ilorin presents the visitors with friendly environment [generally called “Home of Peace”] hence host different religious practice and training institutions. Located on the city’s GRA, the degree-awarding United Missionary Theological College (affiliated with the University of Ibadan) produces many church ministers, teachers and theologians of all denominations, the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies in Adeta Area trains Muslims in various Islamic, Arabic and social science disciplines. Alfa Alimi’s Mosque and residence is said to have been built in 1831. It was the first Juma’at Mosque in Ilorin.