Babalola's Tomb, Ido Ile Mountain and River Oni: My Visit
Photos from my 2019 visit to Efon Alaaye, Ekiti: Apostle Ayo Babalola's grave, Ido Ile prayer mountain, River Oni, and what to know before you go.
Collins Asein· · Updated 22 October 2026 · 3 min read
Contents
Quick answerEfon Alaaye in Ekiti State is known as a prayer town. It holds the grave of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, founder of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), the Ido Ile prayer mountain and River Oni. I visited all three in April 2019 as part of a tour of Nigerian states. These are my photos and what I saw.
I visited Efon Alaaye on 4 April 2019 while touring Nigerian states for MandyNews. The town sits among hills, and Christians come from across the country to pray on its mountains, by its river and at the grave of Apostle Babalola.
Why Efon Alaaye is called a prayer town
The quiet hills around Efon Alaaye have drawn people to pray for decades. Many come to the town for long stays of prayer and fasting, and it has also become a place people visit to see where Apostle Babalola is buried.
CAC members come to pray at the grave of their founder. Some sleep in the mausoleum, and many bring kegs of water to the graveside, believing God still answers prayers made there as He did through Babalola in his lifetime. The graves of Apostle Babalola and his father, David Rotimi, are both here.
River Oni
River Oni is on the way into the prayer area. People told me it has never dried up, and many come to drink it or bathe in it for healing, because water was central to Babalola's ministry. CAC has built bathrooms by the river so people can bathe in private.
Apostle Ayo Babalola's grave
Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola is buried in a grave prayer house, a mausoleum, in Efon Alaaye. When I visited, people were praying quietly inside and around it. I prayed there too.
Ido Ile CAC prayer mountain
Ido Ile prayer mountain is the one most people told me about, because of its water and the testimonies of healing linked to it. I climbed the first mountain, about 720 steps, then set out for the third, which has more than 1,500 steps. The third mountain is reserved for ministers, and women are not allowed up. I did not reach the top that day: I was overwhelmed in prayer partway up and came back down.
The mountain is not only for CAC members. People from other churches come, and I was told Muslims come to pray there too. I did not photograph the tree the water flows from, out of respect for the place.
The first CAC prayer mountain at Efon Alaaye
I also visited the first Christ Apostolic Church prayer mountain, the Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola Prayer Mountain at Efon Alaaye.
Before you go
- Wear comfortable shoes. The steps are steep and long.
- Carry water and go early, before the heat.
- Dress modestly and follow the rules posted at each mountain, including the ones on who may climb.
- Ask before taking photos of people praying.
The next stop on my tour was Ikeji Arakeji in Osun State, where Babalola received his call: read my visit to Ayo Babalola prayer mountain at Ikeji Arakeji. For more places to pray, see the most visited prayer mountains in Nigeria.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Apostle Ayo Babalola buried?
In a grave prayer house (mausoleum) at Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, where his father David Rotimi is also buried.
Can anyone climb Ido Ile prayer mountain?
Yes, people of any church can pray there. The third and highest mountain is reserved for ministers, and women may not climb it.
How many steps are on Ido Ile prayer mountain?
When I visited, the first mountain had about 720 steps and the third had more than 1,500.
Why do people take water from Efon Alaaye?
Water was central to Babalola's healing ministry, so many believers drink or bathe in River Oni and bring water to the grave to pray over it.
Questions from readers
No questions yet. Ask the first one.
