IGBO-ORA “THE TWIN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD”

Igbo-Ora is a town in Oyo State, south-western Nigeria, situated 80 kilometers north of Lagos . As of 2001, the population of the town was approximately 60,000 people. The unusually large number of twin births in the region has earned the town the nickname“Twin Capital of the World.”

 This phenomenon of a large number oftwin births is not unique to Igbo-Ora; ithas also been observed in the town ofKodinji in India and Cândido Godói inBrasil. In Igbo-Ora, research hassuggested that the multiple birthscould be related to the eating habits ofthe women in the region. Though nodirect relation between dietary intakeand twin births has been proved, aresearch study carried out at theUniversity of Lagos Teaching Hospitalhas suggested that a chemical found inIgbo-Ora women and the peelings of awidely consumed tuber (yams) could beresponsible.

 

There is of course the possible explanation that the large number of twins being born here could simply be a matter of genetics.

The town today is the location of the newly established Oyo State College of Agriculture (since 2006). The College has contributed significantly to sociopath-economic and demographic development of the town.