Ondo State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Oǹdó) is a
state in
southwestern Nigeria. It was created on 3 February 1976 from the former
Western State. It borders
Ekiti State to the
north
North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.
Etymology
The word ''north'' is ...
,
Kogi State to the northeast,
Edo State to the east,
Delta State to the southeast,
Ogun State
Ogun State is a state in southwestern Nigeria. Created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. Ogun State borders Lagos State to the south, Oyo State and Osun State to the north, Ondo State to the east, and the Republic of Benin to the ...
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
Akure is a city in south-western Nigeria. It is the capital and largest city of Ondo State. The city had a population of 403,000 as at the 2006 population census.
History
Pre 1914
Rock engravings dating back to the Mesolithic period, ...
, the former capital of the ancient
Akure Kingdom. The State includes
mangrove-swamp forest near the Bights of Benin.
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 constitute ...
, and the
Yoruba language
Yoruba (, ; Yor. '; Ajami: ) is a language spoken in West Africa, primarily in Southwestern and Central Nigeria. It is spoken by the ethnic Yoruba people. The number of Yoruba speakers is roughly 50 million, plus about 2 million second-languag ...
is commonly spoken. The state
economy 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 an ...
production,
asphalt mining, and activities related to the state's extensive
coast
The coast, also known as the coastline or seashore, is defined as the area where land meets the ocean, or as a line that forms the boundary between the land and the coastline. The Earth has around of coastline. Coasts are important zones in ...
line 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
Nigeria at higher than 1,000 Meters in elevation.
Government and society
The state contains eighteen
local government areas, 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 presen ...
,
Akure
Akure is a city in south-western Nigeria. It is the capital and largest city of Ondo State. The city had a population of 403,000 as at the 2006 population census.
History
Pre 1914
Rock engravings dating back to the Mesolithic period, ...
,
Okitipupa
Okitipupa is a Local Government Area in Nigeria and part of the Ikale-speaking nation in Ondo State. Okitipupa Local Government headquarters is located in Okitipupa township with a university, Ondo State University of Science and Technology (O ...
,
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 south ...
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 tra ...
. The majority of the state's citizens live in
urban
Urban means "related to a city". In that sense, the term may refer to:
* Urban area, geographical area distinct from rural areas
* Urban culture, the culture of towns and cities
Urban may also refer to:
General
* Urban (name), a list of people ...
centers. The prominent government
universities in
Ondo state are the
Federal University of Technology Akure,
Akure
Akure is a city in south-western Nigeria. It is the capital and largest city of Ondo State. The city had a population of 403,000 as at the 2006 population census.
History
Pre 1914
Rock engravings dating back to the Mesolithic period, ...
Ondo State University of Science and Technology
Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) formally known as Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) is a state owned university located in Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria. It was established in 2008 by the ...
,
Okitipupa
Okitipupa is a Local Government Area in Nigeria and part of the Ikale-speaking nation in Ondo State. Okitipupa Local Government headquarters is located in Okitipupa township with a university, Ondo State University of Science and Technology (O ...
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
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a ...
.
Local government areas
Ondo State consists of 18
local government areas
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, province, division, or territory.
The phra ...
, they are:
*
Akoko North-East
Akoko North-East is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Ikare. Ikare consist of 15 districts or towns, namely: Okela, Okorun, Eshe, Odo, Ilepa, Okoja, Iku, Odeyare, Odoruwa, ...
(headquarters in
Ikare
Ikare is a city in the northern senatorial part of Ondo State, Nigeria.
Ikare-Akoko (Ikare for short), city in southwestern Nigeria, is located in the Northern Senatorial District of Ondo State. Ikare is about 100km from Akure, the Ondo State cap ...
)
*
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 villag ...
(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 mi ...
(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 Hous ...
(headquarters in
Oka
Oka or OKA may refer to:
Cars
* Oka (automobile), a small car designed by AvtoVAZ and produced by ZMA and SeAZ
* OKA 4wd, a large 4-wheel-drive vehicle made in Western Australia by OKA
Military
* 2B1 Oka, Soviet 420 mm self-propelled mort ...
)
*
Akure North (headquarters in Iju / Itaogbolu)
*
Akure South
Akure South is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Akure.
It has an area of 331 km and a population of 353,211 at the 2006 census.
The postal code
A postal code (also known locally in v ...
(headquarters in
Akure
Akure is a city in south-western Nigeria. It is the capital and largest city of Ondo State. The city had a population of 403,000 as at the 2006 population census.
History
Pre 1914
Rock engravings dating back to the Mesolithic period, ...
)
*
Ese Odo (headquarters in Igbekebo)
*
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 south ...
(headquarters in Owena)
*
Ifedore
Ifedore is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Igbara-Oke. Elizade University is located in the area.
It has an area of 295 km and a population of 176,327 at the 2006 census.
The postal code ...
(headquarters in Igbara Oke)
*
Ilaje (headquarters in Igbokoda)
*
Ile Oluji/Okeigbo (headquarters in Ile Oluji)
*
Irele
Ikale or old Ikale local government is Yoruba tribes in Ondo state Nigeria.It originally included what is now irele Local government. Which was split into Irele and Okitipupa local government.
Irele is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Niger ...
(headquarters Ode-Irele)
*
Odigbo
Odigbo is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ore.
It has an area of and a population of 230,351 at the 2006 census. The current census as of 2020 is over 600,000 as Ore Town continue to attract n ...
(headquarters in Ore)
*
Okitipupa
Okitipupa is a Local Government Area in Nigeria and part of the Ikale-speaking nation in Ondo State. Okitipupa Local Government headquarters is located in Okitipupa township with a university, Ondo State University of Science and Technology (O ...
(headquarters in
Okitipupa
Okitipupa is a Local Government Area in Nigeria and part of the Ikale-speaking nation in Ondo State. Okitipupa Local Government headquarters is located in Okitipupa township with a university, Ondo State University of Science and Technology (O ...
)
*
Ondo East
Ondo East is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Bolorunduro.
The Local Government occupies an area of approximately 896 sq kilometers with a population of 76,096 according to the 2006 population ...
(headquarters in Bolorunduro)
*
Ondo West
Ondo West is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ondo.
It has an area of 970 km and a population of 283,672 at the 2006 census.
The postal code of the area is 351.
There are four higher inst ...
(headquarters Ondo Town)
*
Ose (headquarters in Ifon)
*
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 tra ...
(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 Seni ...
of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was sworn-in on February 24, 2017 as the successor of
Olusegun Mimiko
Olusegun Rahman Mimiko ( yo, Olúṣẹ́gun Mímikò ; born 3 October 1954), is a Nigerian doctor and politician, he was the senatorial candidate of the Zenith Labour Party for Ondo Central District in the 2019 Senate elections. He served as ...
.
The deputy governor of Ondo State is
Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Ethnic groups
The ethnic composition of Ondo State consists largely of
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 constitute ...
subgroups of the
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 south ...
,
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 presen ...
,
Akure
Akure is a city in south-western Nigeria. It is the capital and largest city of Ondo State. The city had a population of 403,000 as at the 2006 population census.
History
Pre 1914
Rock engravings dating back to the Mesolithic period, ...
,
Ikale,
Ilaje, Ondo, 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 tra ...
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
Yoruba language
Yoruba (, ; Yor. '; Ajami: ) is a language spoken in West Africa, primarily in Southwestern and Central Nigeria. It is spoken by the ethnic Yoruba people. The number of Yoruba speakers is roughly 50 million, plus about 2 million second-languag ...
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,
Akungba Akoko
Akungba Akoko, commonly called Akungba, is a town in Ondo State, south-western Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a ...
*
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 Ula ...
, Owo
*
Adeyemi College of Education
The Adeyemi College of Education is a federal government higher education institution located in Ondo City, Ondo State, Nigeria. It is affiliated to Obafemi Awolowo University for its degree programmes. Adeyemi College of Education was named afte ...
*
Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin
* Federal College of Agriculture,
Akure
Akure is a city in south-western Nigeria. It is the capital and largest city of Ondo State. The city had a population of 403,000 as at the 2006 population census.
History
Pre 1914
Rock engravings dating back to the Mesolithic period, ...
*
Federal Polytechnic, Ile Oluji
*
Federal University of Technology Akure
*
National Open University of Nigeria, Akure
*
Ondo State University of Science and Technology
Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) formally known as Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) is a state owned university located in Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria. It was established in 2008 by the ...
,
Okitipupa
Okitipupa is a Local Government Area in Nigeria and part of the Ikale-speaking nation in Ondo State. Okitipupa Local Government headquarters is located in Okitipupa township with a university, Ondo State University of Science and Technology (O ...
*
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
Chief Ganiyu Adams , popularly known as Gani Adams (born April 30, 1970), is a Nigerian activist, politician, traditional aristocrat and the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.
Early life
Gani Adams was born on April 30, 1970, at Arigidi-Akok ...
– activist and politician
*
Kayode Ajulo - Lawyer
*
King Sunny Adé
Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye (born 22 September 1946), known professionally as King Sunny Adé, is a Nigerian jùjú singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is regarded as one of the first African pop musicians to gain international ...
– musician
*
Michael Ade-Ojo – business magnate
*
Adebayo Adefarati
Adebayo Adefarati (14 February 1931"Adefarati, AD Presidential candidate dies at 76", ''Vanguard'', March 30, 2007. – 29 March 2007) was a Nigerian politician who was Governor of Ondo State in Nigeria from 1999 to 2003.
Life and career
Ad ...
– former Governor Ondo State
*
Rotimi Adelola – former Secretary to the State Government
*
Tayo Adenaike
Tayo Adenaike (born 1954) is a Nigerian painter.
Biography
A native of Idanre, Adenaike is of Yoruba parentage. In 1967 he was first introduced to formal instruction in arts at Federal Government College, located in Warri, in the present De ...
– painter
*
Ilesanmi Adesida – physicist
*
Akintunde Aduwo – former Governor Western Region/Navy Vice
*
Olusegun Agagu
Olusegun Kokumo Agagu (16 February 1948 – 13 September 2013) was a Nigerian politician who was Governor of Ondo State in Nigeria from 29 May 2003 until February 2009, when a court voided his re-election as governor on account of electoral ...
– former Governor Ondo state
*
Michael Adekunle Ajasin
Michael Adekunle Ajasin (28 November 1908 – 3 October 1997) was a Nigerian politician who served as governor of Ondo State from October 1979 to October 1983 on the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) platform during the Nigerian Second Republic.
B ...
– Politician, Former governor of Ondo State
*
Rotimi 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 Seni ...
– politician
*
Abayomi Akinruntan, politician
*
Akintunde Akinwande – engineering professor
*
Yemi Alade – musician
*
Funmi Aragbaye – gospel singer
*
Bamidele Aturu – human rights activist
*
Akinyelure Patrick Ayo – banker, politician
*
Reekado Banks
Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon (born 6 December 1993), better known by his stage name Reekado Banks, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He signed with Mavin Records in 2014 and left the label in 2018. He went by the stage name Spicy before his recor ...
– singer, songwriter
*
Robert Ajayi Boroffice – politician
*
Hosea Ehinlanwo – former Senator
*
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde ( ; born Omotola Jalade, 7 February 1978) is a Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist and former model. Since her Nollywood film debut in 1995, Ekeinde has appeared in over 300 films, selling millions of copies. Omoto ...
– actress, singer
*
Chinko Ekun – singer, rapper
*
Olu Falae – banker, politician
*
Frederick Fasehun – medical doctor, activist and politician
*
Anthonia Fatunsin, Nigerian archeologist
*
Gani Fawehinmi
Chief Abdul-Ganiyu "Gani" Oyesola Fawehinmi, , (22 April 1938 – 5 September 2009) was a Nigerian author, publisher, philanthropist, social critic, human and civil rights lawyer, and politician.
He held the chieftaincy title of the Lamofin o ...
– author, lawyer
*
Jimoh Ibrahim
Jimoh Ibrahim (born 24 February 1967) is a Nigerian lawyer, politician, businessman and philanthropist. He is the chairman and chief executive officer of Global Fleet Group, a diversified conglomerate based in Nigeria, with business interests and ...
– 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
Olusegun Rahman Mimiko ( yo, Olúṣẹ́gun Mímikò ; born 3 October 1954), is a Nigerian doctor and politician, he was the senatorial candidate of the Zenith Labour Party for Ondo Central District in the 2019 Senate elections. He served as ...
– former Governor Ondo State
*
Bode Olajumoke – politician
*
Chris Olukolade
Chris Olukolade (born March 18, 1959) is a retired Major general of the Nigerian army and former Director of Defence Information. He succeeded Brig Gen. Mohammed Yerima on March 19, 2013, and was succeeded by Colonel Rabe Abubakar
Prior to his ...
– army general
*
Sola Sobowale
Sola Sobowale (born 26 December 1963) is a Nigerian film actress, screenwriter, film director and film producer. Sola Sobowale had her big break in 2001, in the premiere of Nigeria's popular television drama series Super Story: ''Oh Father, Oh ...
– actress, director
*
Omoyele Sowore – human rights activist
*
Adekunle Temitope (a.k.a. Small Doctor) – musical artist
*
Akinloye Tofowomo, 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
King Adebayo Film and Theatre Arts Network Television (KAFTAN TV) is a Nigerian independent 24-hour television channel. Established in December 2016, it is operated by KAFTAN TV Ventures, a trading and joint venture company headquartered in Ondo ...
*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