The Emergence of a Muslim Minority in the Ado-Ekiti Kingdom of Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

This paper seeks to provide a sociological reinterpretation of
Islam’s presence in the Ado-Ekiti kingdom by unraveling the various
essentially sociopolitical and economic factors that, along
with religious factors, account for its emergence and growth. I
have adopted a historical methodology (narrative) to understand
and explain its appearance, functions, and contributions in the
kingdom. This will be supplemented with material found in public
and private libraries, archives and museums, and artifacts.
The paper reveals that the exact date of Islam’s introduction remains
unknown and that local Muslims worshipped in secret until
1836, when a Muslim named Ali Atewogboye ascended the
throne. He and his successor gave Islam a strong foundation due
to their sociopolitical and economic motivations. The paper closes
with an account of the factors that facilitated Islam’s spread, the
problems faced by local Muslims, and how they have tried to resolve
these problems.