Oyo is a state in southwestern Nigeria. Its capital is Ibadan, the third most populous city in the country and formerly the second most populous city in Africa. Oyo State shares borders with Kwara State to the north (337 km), Osun State to the southeast (187 km), Ogun State to the south, and the Republic of Benin to the west (98 km). With a projected population of 7,976,100 in 2022, it ranks as the sixth most populous state in Nigeria.
Nicknamed the "Pace Setter State", Oyo State occupies land that was once under the powerful Oyo Empire (c. 1300–1896). The city of New Oyo (Ọ̀yọ́ Àtìbà), built in the 1830s, continues the legacy of the empire and distinguishes itself from the former capital Old Oyo (Ọ̀yọ́-Ilé). Although the empire collapsed in 1835, the Alaafin of Oyo retains a ceremonial role today.
Oyo is the largest state in southern Nigeria by landmass and the second most populous in the region after Lagos. According to the 2006 census, the population stood at 5,580,894. The state is renowned for its historical and educational milestones, such as being home to the University of Ibadan (1948), the first university in Nigeria, and other national firsts including:
- First television station in Africa
- First road and stadium in Nigeria
- First railway line and teaching hospital in Nigeria
Major cities include Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Saki, and Iseyin, all among Nigeria’s top 50 most populous towns.
Geography
Oyo State spans 28,454 square kilometers and ranks 14th by size. The terrain consists of hard rocks and dome-shaped hills rising from 500 m in the south to 1,200 m in the north. Major rivers include Ogun, Oba, Oyan, Otin, Ofiki, Sasa, Oni, Erinle, and Osun. Natural landmarks include Old Oyo National Park and Agodi Parks and Gardens. The endangered African wild dog was once native to the park but is now believed extinct in the region.
Climate
Oyo State experiences an equatorial climate with distinct wet (April–October) and dry (November–March) seasons. Average daily temperatures range from 25°C to 35°C.
History
Formed in 1976 from the old Western State, Oyo initially included Osun State, which was carved out in 1991. The state is largely Yoruba, divided into subgroups such as Oyos, Oke-Oguns, Ibadans, and Ibarapas. Ibadan served as the capital of the Western Region during colonial times.
In 2024, a Yoruba separatist movement attempted an unsuccessful coup in Ibadan.
Education
Oyo State is a major educational hub in Nigeria:
Notable Institutions
- University of Ibadan (1948) – Nigeria’s first university
- University College Hospital, Ibadan – First teaching hospital in Nigeria
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
- Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN)
Universities
- University of Ibadan
- Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo
- Koladaisi University, Ibadan
- Dominican University, Ibadan
- Lead City University, Ibadan
- Àtìbà University, Oyo
- Oyo State Technical University, Ibadan
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso
Polytechnics
- The Polytechnic, Ibadan
- Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa
- Oke-Ogun Polytechnic
- Federal Polytechnic Ayede
- Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-Ora
Specialized Institutions
- Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan
- Federal College of Animal Health & Production Technology, Moor Plantation
- Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan
- Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo
- Emmanuel Alayande College of Education
- The College of Education, Lanlate
- Federal School of Surveying, Oyo
- Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele
- Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Ibadan
Private Polytechnics
- Bolmor Polytechnic, Ibadan
- City Polytechnic, Ibadan
- Kings Polytechnic, Saki
- SAF Polytechnic, Iseyin
- Tower Polytechnic, Ibadan
Historic Secondary Schools
- St Anne’s School, Ibadan (1869)
- Ibadan Grammar School (1913)
- Government College, Ibadan (1927)
- Queen’s School, Ibadan (1952)
- Wesley College, Ibadan (1905)
Special and Adult Education
- 15 special primary schools and 8 secondary school units for handicapped children
- 455 adult education classes across the 33 LGAs
- Over 200,000 illiterate and 80,000 post-illiterate adults trained
Literary Hub
- Ebedi Writers' Residency, Iseyin – Hosted Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and others
Transport
Highways
Federal roads like A1, A5, A7, E1, and A122 pass through the state. Other significant roads link major towns to neighboring states.
Railways
Ibadan is a major railway terminus. The standard gauge Lagos–Ibadan railway opened in 2021.
Airport
Ibadan Airport offers flights to Abuja and Lagos via Air Peace and Overland Airways.
Agriculture
Agriculture dominates the economy with crops like cassava, cocoa, maize, yam, plantain, rice, tobacco, and cashew. Major farming centers include Iseyin, Eruwa, Ilora, and Ogbomoso. The state also has clay, kaolin, and aquamarine deposits.
Key institutions: - Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (Saki HQ) - Ranches in Saki and Ibadan - Dairy farm at Monatan
Government and Politics
Structure
Like all Nigerian states, Oyo operates under a three-tier structure: - Executive: Governor Seyi Makinde, Deputy Bayo Lawal - Legislative: Oyo House of Assembly, Speaker Debo Ogundoyin - Judiciary: Chief Judge Muktar Abimbola
Electoral System
Uses a modified two-round system requiring a plurality and 25% in two-thirds of LGAs to win outright in the first round.
Local Government Areas
Oyo State has 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Records and Landmarks
- First university: University of Ibadan
- First television station: NTA Ibadan
- First skyscraper: Cocoa House
- First stadium: Obafemi Awolowo Stadium
- First FM radio: Radio Nigeria Ibadan
- First private TV station: Galaxy TV
Major Tourist Attractions
- Old Oyo National Park
- Ado-Awaye Suspended Lake
- Agodi Botanical Garden
- Mapo Hall
- Trans-Wonderland Amusement Park
- Bower’s Tower
- Iyamopo and Agbele Hills, Igbeti
- University of Ibadan Zoological Garden
Notable People from Oyo State
- 9ice – Musician
- Wande Abimbola – Scholar & politician
- Akinwumi Adesina – AfDB President
- Samuel Ajayi Crowther – First African Anglican bishop
- Lam Adesina, Abiola Ajimobi, Rasheed Ladoja – Former governors
- Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, Oba Saliu Adetunji – Traditional rulers
- David Oyelowo, Sade, Afeez Oyetoro – Actors and artists
- Tosin Eniolorunda – Tech entrepreneur, CEO of Moniepoint
External Links
- Oyo State Government Homepage(https://oyostate.gov.ng)
- Oyo Begins Oral Interview For TESCOM Applicants(https://naijanews247.com)