Facts about Afo (Eloyi) ethnic group

The Eloyi (also known as Afao, Afo, Afu, Aho, Epe, and Keffi) is a central Nigerian ethnic group. Eloyi is a name given to about 100,000 people. They are descendants of the Idoma people.

The majority of the Eloyi used to dwell on a 15-mile-long (24-kilometer) rocky hill range in what is now Nasarawa State. In 1918, they rose against the British and were forced to flee their homeland.

Around 25,000 people were reported to speak the Eloyi language, which belongs to the Idomoid branch of the Benue-Congo group, in the Awe and Nasarawa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Nasarawa State and the Otukpo LGA of Benue State in 2000. Many people speak Hausa as a second or first language.

The Eloyi is one of the most prosperous tribes in the Benue Valley. Guinea grain, cotton, yams, and tobacco are grown on the highlands. They perform weaving and dying, resulting in cloth that is in high demand and tradeable.