Heritage

Aiyetoro — the Happy City — is more than a town on Nigeria’s Atlantic coast. It is a vision, a faith, and a way of life built on courage and unity.

Founded in 1947 by members of the Holy Apostles’ Community, Aiyetoro was created as a place where people could live differently: sharing resources, honouring God, and building a society free of injustice, idleness, and division. Against persecution, displacement, and the sea itself, they carved out a model community admired across Nigeria and beyond.

A Living Legacy

The people of Aiyetoro turned hardship into innovation.

They dug a seven-mile canal with their own hands to connect to Mahin Lagoon.
They built houses on stilts above water and later with planks and blocks.
By 1953, Aiyetoro had electricity before many Nigerian towns.
Schools, adult literacy classes, and a community library became the pride of the settlement.
Industries like fishing, weaving, carpentry, tailoring, and boat-building flourished, proving the power of cooperation.

At its heart was Oba Ethiopia O. Peter (Ogeloyinbo of Aiyetoro) — both king and spiritual leader — whose vision and leadership inspired what outsiders called “a little London in Nigeria.”

Timeline of Resilience

1929–1942: Small group of Cherubim and Seraphim worshippers form the roots of the Holy Apostles’ Community.
1943: Movement grows under prophets, including Ethiopia O. Peter; persecution begins.
1947: Founding of Aiyetoro, the Happy City.
1948–49: Seven-mile canal to Mahin Lagoon completed.
1953: Electricity installed; adult education begins.
1955: Primary school, adult classes, and library expand; Chief Obafemi Awolowo visits.
1959: New Power House built with modern diesel generators.
1960s onward: Aiyetoro becomes a model of communal living and resilience, admired nationally and internationally.

Why Heritage Matters

The story of Aiyetoro is not just history. It is heritage — a living reminder of what faith, cooperation, and vision can achieve. Even as the community faces rising seas and erosion today, its legacy continues to inspire future generations.

The Ayetoro Digital Museum preserves this heritage in images, stories, and voices — ensuring the Happy City will never be forgotten.

The Current Ogeloyinbo of Aiyetoro

From the pioneering leadership of Oba Ethiopia O. Peter, the first Ogeloyinbo and spiritual founder of the Holy Apostles’ Community, to the present day, kingship in Aiyetoro has remained a beacon of unity and resilience.

Today, His Royal Majesty, Prophet Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, the Ogeloyinbo of Aiyetoro, carries forward this legacy. Both a traditional ruler and a spiritual leader, he embodies the unique character of Aiyetoro — a community built on faith, cooperation, and vision.

Under his reign, Aiyetoro continues to safeguard its heritage and confront new realities, including the threat of coastal erosion and cultural loss. The king’s leadership reflects not only continuity with the past but also a steadfast commitment to preserving the community’s future.

Explore the Living Heritage

The story of Aiyetoro does not end here. Through the Collections, Stories, and Archives preserved in the Ayetoro Digital Museum, you can see rare photographs, hear community voices, and journey through the traditions of the Happy City. Step inside — and let the heritage inspire you.

Collections

Stories

Vernacular Architecture