Ondo State
Southwestern Nigerian state created in 1976, known as Sunshine State.
Ondo State, located in southwestern Nigeria, was carved out of the former Western State on 3 February 1976. Its capital is Akure, which once served as the capital of the ancient Akure Kingdom. The state shares borders with Ekiti State to the north, a 45-kilometer stretch with Kogi State to the northeast, Edo State to the east, a 36-kilometer boundary with Delta State to the southeast, a 179-kilometer border with Ogun State to the southwest, a 77-kilometer frontier with Osun State to the northwest, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Mangrove-swamp forests line the coast near the Bight of Benin.
Known as the "Sunshine State," Ondo ranks as the 18th most populous state in Nigeria and the 25th largest by area. The population is predominantly Yoruba, and the Yoruba language is widely spoken. The economy relies on cocoa production, farming, asphalt mining, and activities tied to its extensive coastline. The Idanre inselberg hills, the highest point in western Nigeria at over 1,000 meters in elevation, are located here.
The state government is led by a democratically elected governor who works with the state House of Assembly. As of 2024, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa holds office, having been sworn in on 27 December 2023 after the death of his predecessor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, from cancer complications earlier that day. The electoral system uses a modified two-round method: a candidate must win a plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two-thirds of the local government areas to be elected in the first round; otherwise, a runoff occurs between the top candidate and the one with the most local government area pluralities.
Ondo State comprises 18 local government areas, with major ones including Akoko, Akure, Okitipupa, Ondo, Ilaje, Idanre, and Owo. Most residents live in urban centers. Ethnic groups are largely Yoruba subgroups: Idanre, Akoko, Akure, Ikale, Ilaje, Ondo, Ese Odo, Owo, and Ose peoples. Ijaw communities, such as the Apoi and Arogbo, inhabit the southeastern swamps near the Edo border. A small population in Oke-Igbo town, near the Osun border, speaks a Yoruba variant similar to the Ife dialect.
The majority of the population is Christian, with minorities practicing Islam and traditional Yoruba animist religion. The Anglican Province of Ondo includes multiple dioceses: Akoko (led by Bishop Jacob O.B. Bada since 2019), Akur
- created
- 3 February 1976
- capital
- Akure
- population_rank
- 18th most populated in Nigeria
- area_rank
- 25th-largest by landmass
- nickname
- Sunshine State
- highest_point
- Idanre inselberg hills, over 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) elevation
- governor_as_of_2024
- Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Lore & Background
Ondo State was formed on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. Its territory includes mangrove-swamp forest along the Bight of Benin and the Idanre inselberg hills, the highest geographical point in western Nigeria at over 1,000 metres. The state is predominantly Yoruba, with subgroups including Idanre, Akoko, Akure, Ikale, Ilaje, Ondo, Ese Odo, Owo, and Ose peoples, as well as Ijaw populations such as the Apoi and Arogbo in the southeastern swamps. A small population near Oke-Igbo speaks a variant of Yoruba similar to the Ife dialect.
Reader's Guide
Ondo State's significance lies in its economic and cultural contributions to Nigeria. Its economy is driven by cocoa production, farming, asphalt mining, and activities along its extensive coastline. The state is rich in mineral resources including bitumen, coal, oil and gas, limestone, and granite. Ondo is home to several tertiary institutions, notably the Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State University of Science and Technology Okitipupa, University of Medical Sciences Ondo, and Adekunle Ajasin University. The state's government is led by a democratically elected governor, with Lucky Aiyedatiwa serving as incumbent as of 2024, succeeding Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu. The electoral system uses a modified two-round system requiring a plurality and over 25% of votes in at least two-thirds of local government areas. The population is predominantly Christian, with Muslim and traditional Yoruba animist minorities. The Anglican Province of Ondo includes multiple dioceses, and the Catholic Diocese of Ondo reported 174,148 Catholics in 2021.
Did You Know?
- Ondo State was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State.
- The Idanre inselberg hills are the highest geographical point in western Nigeria, exceeding 1,000 metres in elevation.
- The state's nickname is the 'Sunshine State'.
- Ondo State contains 18 local government areas, including Akoko, Akure, Okitipupa, Ondo, Ilaje, Idanre, and Owo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ondo State and where is it located?
Ondo State is a southwestern Nigerian state whose capital is Akure, a city that historically served as the seat of the ancient Akure Kingdom. It sits along the Atlantic coast near the Bight of Boni, where mangrove-swamp forests line the shoreline.
When and how was Ondo State created?
Ondo State was officially established on 3 February 1976 when it was carved out of the larger former Western State. This reorganization gave the region its own distinct administrative identity within Nigeria.
What is Ondo State's nickname and what does it refer to?
Ondo State goes by the nickname 'Sunshine State,' a moniker that reflects the region's consistently warm, bright climate along its coastal and inland areas. It is a simple but widely recognized label used in everyday conversation about the state.
What is the highest point in Ondo State?
The Idanre inselberg hills, rising to over 1,000 metres (roughly 3,300 ft) above sea level, form the state's highest elevation. These dramatic rock formations are a well-known landmark within Ondo's landscape.
Which states border Ondo State?
Ondo shares boundaries with Ekiti to the north, Kogi to the northeast, Edo to the east, Delta to the southeast, Ogun to the southwest, and Osun to the northwest. Its southern edge opens directly onto the Atlantic Ocean.
More in States Of Nigeria 1-20
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