Abstract

The Arogbo-Ijo is one of the major sub-groups of the larger Ijo nation located in the present-day Ondo State, Nigeria. While the majority of the Arogbo-Ijo communities are situated in Ondo State, a few are located in present-day Edo State, where
they constitute minority communities. They study focuses on Safarogbo, an Arogbo-Ijo community in Edo State, due to recurring claims of political marginalisation and neglect. Existing scholarship has paid limited attention to this historical
development. This study therefore examines the causes of the balkanisation of the Arogbo-Ijo and its implications for the Safarogbo community between 1915, when the colonial division occurred, and 2018, when Pere Z. D. Egbunu, the
Agadagba of Arogbo-Ijo was installed. The historical method was adopted, and data were collected from both primary and secondary sources, including oral interviews, archival materials, books, journal articles, and doctoral theses. Findings
reveal that the British colonial administration divided the Arogbo-Ijo between Ondo and Benin Provinces in 1915. While Ondo Province later became Ondo State where the Arogbo Ijo is presently located, Benin Province evolved into Edo State,
where Safarogbo is presently located. Subsequent local government and state creation exercises sustained this division, thereby reinforcing the separation of Safarogbo from the larger Arogbo-Ijo community. The study concludes that
this colonial legacy contributed significantly to the minority status, perceived political neglect, and underdevelopment of the Safarogbo community in Edo State.

Keywords: Safarogbo, Arogbo-Ijo, Agadagba, Edo State, Ondo State