Ondo State (Ìpínlẹ̀ Oǹdó)
Nickname: Sunshine State
Created: 3 February 1976 (from former Western State)
Capital: Akure
Geography & Location
- Borders:
- North: Ekiti State
- Northeast (45 km): Kogi State
- East: Edo State
- Southeast (36 km): Delta State
- Southwest (179 km): Ogun State
- Northwest (77 km): Osun State
- South: Atlantic Ocean (mangrove–swamp forests)
- Terrain: Coastal plains, mangrove swamps, Idanre Inselberg (>1,000 m)
- Climate: Tropical savanna; avg. temp. 28.4 °C; annual rainfall ~1,711 mm
Demographics
- Population rank: 18th in Nigeria
- Area rank: 25th by landmass
- Ethnic groups: Yoruba subgroups (Akoko, Akure, Idanre, Ikale, Ilaje, Ondo, Owo, Ese Odo); Ijaw (Apoi, Arogbo)
- Languages: Yoruba dialects; Ijaw; minority Ife‑like Yoruba in Oke‑Igbo
- Religion: Majority Christian; minorities Muslim & traditional
Government & Administration
- Governor (2024): Lucky Aiyedatiwa (sworn in 27 Dec 2023)
- Electoral system: Modified two‑round for governor
- Local Government Areas (18):
Akoko North East, Akoko North West, Akoko South East, Akoko South West, Akure North, Akure South, Ese Odo, Idanre, Ifedore, Ilaje, Ile Oluji/Okeigbo, Irele, Okitipupa, Ondo East, Ondo West, Ose, Owo, Odigbo
Key Ministries & Agencies
- Governor’s Office & Deputy Governor’s Office
- Secretary to State Government
- Ministries: Works & Infrastructure; Agriculture; Commerce & Cooperatives; Education, Science & Technology; Finance; Health; Environment; Justice; Culture & Tourism; Women’s Affairs; Youth & Sports; plus statutory commissions & rural development directorate
Economy & Resources
- Agriculture: Cocoa, cassava, oil palm, fishing
- Mining: Asphalt, bitumen, limestone, gemstones, kaolin, granite, coal, oil & gas
- Industry: Coastal trade, agro‑processing
Education & Research
- Universities & Polytechnics:
- Federal University of Technology, Akure
- Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko
- University of Medical Sciences, Ondo
- Ondo State University of Science & Technology, Okitipupa
- Federal College of Agriculture, Akure
- Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo
- Others (private and colleges of education)
Transportation
- Highways: A121 (Trans‑Africa Highway 8); A122; major state roads linking to neighboring states
- Rail: Under development (Lagos–Ibadan extension)
- Air: Akure Airport (regional services)
Media & Culture
- Radio: Adaba 88.9 FM; Breeze 91.9 FM; Eki 100.9 FM; others
- TV & Print: KAFTAN TV; NTA Ondo; The Hope Newspapers; Inside FUTA