Ondo State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Oǹdó) is a

state State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * '' Our ...

in southwestern

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of G ...

. It was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It borders Ekiti State to the north, Kogi State to the northeast, Edo State to the east, Delta State to the southeast, Ogun State to the southwest, Osun State to the northwest, and the

Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the "Old World" of Afr ...

to the south. The state's capital is Akure, the former capital of the ancient Akure Kingdom. The State includes mangrove-swamp

forest A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function. The United Nations' ...

near the Bights of Benin. Agadagba Arogbor River 02

Nicknamed the "Sunshine State", Ondo State is the 19th most populated state in the country, and the 25th-largest state by landmass. The state is predominantly

Yoruba The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba consti ...

, and the

Yoruba language Yoruba (, ; Yor. '; Ajami script, Ajami: ) is a language spoken in West Africa, primarily in South West (Nigeria), Southwestern Middle Belt, and Central Nigeria. It is spoken by the Ethnic group, ethnic Yoruba people. The number of Yoruba speake ...

is commonly spoken. The state

economy An economy is an area of the production, distribution and trade, as well as consumption of goods and services. In general, it is defined as a social domain that emphasize the practices, discourses, and material expressions associated with t ...

is dominated by the petroleum industry.

Cocoa Cocoa may refer to: Chocolate * Chocolate * ''Theobroma cacao'', the cocoa tree * Cocoa bean, seed of ''Theobroma cacao'' * Chocolate liquor, or cocoa liquor, pure, liquid chocolate extracted from the cocoa bean, including both cocoa butter and ...

production, asphalt mining, and activities related to the state's extensive coastline also are part of the economy. It is the home to the Idanre inselberg hills, playing host to the highest geographical point in the western half of

at higher than 1,000 Meters in elevation.

Government and society

The state contains eighteen

local government area A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a State (administrative division), state, province, divi ...

s, the major ones being

Akoko The Akoko are a large Yoruba cultural sub-group in the Northeastern part of Yorubaland. The area spans from Ondo state to Edo state in southwest Nigeria. The Akokos as a subgroup make up 20.3% of the population of Ondo state. Out of the present ...

, Akure, Okitipupa, Ondo, Ilaje,

Idanre Idanre is a Local Government Area and historic town in Ondo State, Nigeria. The town is located at the foot of the scenic Idanre Hill which is of unique cultural and environmental significance, and attracts many tourists. The town is about so ...

and

Owo Owo is a local government area in Ondo state, Nigeria. Between 1400 and 1600 CE, it was the capital of a Yoruba city-state. The local government area has a population of 222,262 based on 2006 population census. History In their oral traditi ...

. The majority of the state's citizens live in urban centers. The prominent government universities in Ondo state are the Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Ondo and the Adekunle Ajasin University,

Akungba Akoko Akungba Akoko, commonly called Akungba, is a town in Ondo State, south-western Nigeria. It is the host community to Adekunle Ajasin University.It is located in the Akoko city state region of Ondo and Edo States. References Populated places ...

Local government areas

Ondo State consists of 18 local government areas, they are: * Akoko North-East (headquarters in Ikare) *

Akoko North-West Akoko North-West is a local government area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Okeagbe. It has an area of 512 km2 and a population of 213,792 at the 2006 census. The postal code of the area is 342. Town and vil ...

(headquarters in Okeagbe) *

Akoko South-East Akoko South-East is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in Isua (Akoko). Akoko South-East is one of six Local Government Areas in the Northern Senatorial District of Ondo State. Geography The landscape is a ...

(headquarters in Isua) *

Akoko South-West Akoko South-West is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Oke-Oka. It has its area council at Oka-Akoko It has an area of 226 km and a population of 239,486 at the 2006 census. Ondo State Ho ...

(headquarters in Oka) * Akure North (headquarters in Iju / Itaogbolu) *

Akure South Akure South is a Local Government Area A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a State (adminis ...

(headquarters in Akure) * Ese Odo (headquarters in Igbekebo) *

(headquarters in Owena) *

Ifedore Ifedore is a Local Government Area A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a State (administra ...

(headquarters in Igbara Oke) * Ilaje (headquarters in Igbokoda) * Ile Oluji/Okeigbo (headquarters in Ile Oluji) * Irele (headquarters Ode-Irele) * Odigbo (headquarters in Ore) * Okitipupa (headquarters in Okitipupa) * Ondo East (headquarters in Bolorunduro) * Ondo West (headquarters Ondo Town) * Ose (headquarters in Ifon) *

(headquarters in Owo Town)

Governor

Akeredolu Oluwarotimi Odunayo is the sitting governor of Ondo state. Governor

Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (born 21 July 1956) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who is currently the Governor of Ondo State, in office since 24 February 2017. His adopted prefix is "Arakunrin", while his nickname is "Aketi". He is a ...

of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was sworn-in on February 24, 2017 as the successor of Olusegun Mimiko. The deputy governor of Ondo State is

Lucky Aiyedatiwa Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa (born 12 January 1965) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who has served as deputy governor of Ondo State since 2021 succeeding Agboola Ajayi. He is a former commissioner of Niger Delta Development Commission ...

Ethnic groups

The ethnic composition of Ondo State consists largely of

subgroups of the

, Akure, Ikale, Ilaje, Ondo, and

peoples. Ijaw people, such as the Apoi and Arogbo populations inhabit the southeastern swamps close to the Edo state border. A small population of people speak a variant of the

similar to the Ife dialect in Oke-Igbo town close to the Osun state border. The vast majority of the population are

Christians Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

; minorities practice Islam and traditional worship.

Languages

Languages of Ondo State listed by LGA:

Mineral resources in Ondo State

The following are mineral resources found in Ondo State: * Bitumen * Coal * Dimension stones * Feldspar * Gemstones * Glass/and * Granite * Gypsum * Kaolin * Limestone & oil/gas

Tertiary institutions

* Adekunle Ajasin University,

Achievers University Achievers University is in Owo, Ondo State Nigeria The university is a private-sector initiative, established in 2007 and accredited by the National Universities Commission. It is located on land in the Idasen community of Owo, consisting of Ul ...

, Owo * Adeyemi College of Education * Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin * Federal College of Agriculture, Akure * Federal Polytechnic, Ile Oluji * Federal University of Technology Akure * National Open University of Nigeria, Akure * Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa * Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo * University of Medical Sciences, Ondo * Wesley University of Science and Technology

Demographics

Notable people

Mo Abudu Mosunmola Abudu, also known as ''Mo Abudu'', (born 11 September 1964), is a Nigerian media mogul, philanthropist, and former human resources management consultant. She has been described by Forbes as "Africa's Most Successful Woman", and rated ...

– media mogul * Gani Adams – activist and politician *

Kayode Ajulo Olukayode "Kayode" Abraham Ajulo is a Nigerian lawyer, arbitrator, and civil rights activist. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. and the Diocesan Registrar of the Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria. Early life and ed ...

- Lawyer * King Sunny Adé – musician *

Michael Ade-Ojo Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, OON (born June 14, 1938) is a Nigerian business magnate and founder of Elizade University in Ilara-Mokin Ondo state, Nigeria. Early life Michael Ade-Ojo, known as "The Chief" is a Yoruba from Ondo state southwestern, Nige ...

– business magnate * Adebayo Adefarati – former Governor Ondo State * Rotimi Adelola – former Secretary to the State Government * Tayo Adenaike – painter *

Ilesanmi Adesida Ilesanmi Adesida (born 1949, Ifon, Ondo State, Nigeria) is a Nigerian American physicist of Yoruba descent. He has been the provost at Nazarbayev University in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, from September 2016. Adesida is also the Donald Biggar Willett ...

– physicist * Akintunde Aduwo – former Governor Western Region/Navy Vice * Olusegun Agagu – former Governor Ondo state * Michael Adekunle Ajasin – Politician, Former governor of Ondo State * Rotimi Akeredolu – politician * Abayomi Akinruntan, politician * Akintunde Akinwande – engineering professor * Yemi Alade – musician *

Funmi Aragbaye Funmi Aragbaye (born July 5, 1954) is a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter and televangelist. She was happily married to Late. Bola Aragbaye and the marriage was blessed with three children. Early life Funmi Aragbaye was born on July 5, 1954, in ...

– gospel singer *

Bamidele Aturu Bamidele Aturu (October 16, 1964 – July 9, 2014)was a Nigerian Lawyer and human rights activist. Life and career Aturu was born on 16 October 1964 in Ogbagi Ondo State, Nigeria to the family of Aturu. He studied physics at Adeyemi College of ...

– human rights activist * Akinyelure Patrick Ayo – banker, politician * Reekado Banks – singer, songwriter *

Robert Ajayi Boroffice Professor Robert Ajayi Boroffice (born 23 April 1949) is a public servant who was elected Senator for Ondo North, in Ondo State, Nigeria on 9 April 2011. Early career Boroffice was born on 23 April 1949 in Oka-Akoko, Ondo State, South Western, ...

– politician * Hosea Ehinlanwo – former Senator * Omotola Jalade Ekeinde – actress, singer *

Chinko Ekun Oladipo Olamide Emmanuel (born 13 September 1993), known professionally as Chinko Ekun, is a Nigerian rapper and songwriter. He is a graduate of Law from the Obafemi Awolowo University. Early life Chinko Ekun was born in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nig ...

– singer, rapper * Olu Falae – banker, politician *

Frederick Fasehun Frederick Isiotan Fasehun ( yo, Frederick Ìsìòtán Fáàséhùn; 21 September 1935 – 1 December 2018) was a Nigerian medical doctor, hotel owner and leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC). Education and medical career He studied science ...

– medical doctor, activist and politician * Anthonia Fatunsin, Nigerian archeologist * Gani Fawehinmi – author, lawyer * Jimoh Ibrahim – lawyer, politician * T. B. Joshua – pastor, philanthropist *

Adetokunbo Kayode Adetokunbo Kayode is a Nigerian corporate lawyer, tax expert and international arbitrator. Early life He attended CMS Grammar School, in Lagos. He studied law at the University of Lagos, Nigeria Law School, Lagos, Strategic Leadership at the ...

– lawyer and politician *

Boluwaji Kunlere Boluwaji Kunlere (born April 1960) is a Nigerian politician who was elected Senator for Ondo South, in Ondo State, Nigeria in the April 2011 national elections. He was elected on the Labour Party platform. Boluwaji Kunlere was born in April 1960 ...

– former Senator *

Ayo Makun Ayodeji Richard Makun, also known by his stage name A.Y, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, radio and TV presenter, writer, producer and film director. Born on 19 August 1971, he hails from Ifon, Ose local government in Ondo State. He is the host ...

(AY Show) – comedian, Entertainer * Nahzeem Olufemi Mimiko – educational administrator * Olusegun Mimiko – former Governor Ondo State * Bode Olajumoke – politician * Chris Olukolade – army general * Sola Sobowale – actress, director *

Omoyele Sowore Omoyele "Yele" Sowore (born 16 February 1971) is a Nigerian human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner, known for founding the online news agency Sahara Reporters. In August 2018, he founded the African Action Congress party and ran as ...

– human rights activist * Adekunle Temitope (a.k.a. Small Doctor) – musical artist *

Akinloye Tofowomo Akinloye Tofowomo popularly known as Akiin Shuga (born January 6, 1975) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and musicpreneur. Akinloye Tofowomo is best known as the founder and lead singer of the popular Nigerian live band Shuga band, that was formed ...

, performing musician * Waje – Musical Artist

Media houses in Ondo State

*Adaba 88.9FM *ALALAYE 96.5FM *Breeze 91.9FM *Crest 87.7 FM *Eki Radio 100.9 FM *EMPIRE 104.5 FM *FUTA Radio *''The Hope Newspapers'' *INSIDE FUTA * KAFTAN TV *Kàkàkí Òndó FM * Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) *Orange 94.5FM *OSRC Television *Positive 102.5FM *Remdel Television * RUGIPO 103.3 FM *Suncity Radio 101.1FM

Gallery

Welcome to Ireakari market signpost, Afo, Ondo state2.jpg Welcome to Etiaro, Akoko, Ondo state.jpg, Welcome to Etiaro, Akoko signpost Welcome to Alayere town, Akure, Ondo state2.jpg, Welcome to Alayere town, Akure, Ondo state2.jpg The Apostolic High School, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.jpg, The Apostolic High School, Ilara-Mokin St James Catholic Church, Ugbe-Afo, Ondo state3.jpg, St James Catholic Church, Ugbe-Afo, Ondo state3.jpg St James Catholic Church, Ugbe-Afo, Ondo state.jpg, St James Catholic Church, Ugbe-Afo, Ondo state.jpg

References

External links

*
ondostatemoi.com
{{Portal bar, Nigeria States of Nigeria States in Yorubaland States and territories established in 1976