Oyo state is one of the south-western states in Nigeria with its capital at Ibadan which is probably the largest city in the country by land mass. Oyo state consists of thirty-three (33) local government areas. It is bounded by other states such as Osun state (east), Kwara state (north), Ogun state (south) and the republic of Benin (west). It is popularly referred to as the “pace setters”.

History of Oyo State

Oyo state was one of the three states carved out of the old western state of Nigeria on the 3^rd of February 1976 during states creation exercise which originally included Osun state but was later divided in 1991. Ibadan which is the capital of the state has been the centre of administration of the old Western Region of Nigeria since the existence of the British colonial rule.

SEE ALSO>>>History of Ekiti State<<<

Ethnic Groups in Oyo State

Oyo state is a homogenous state because it is highly occupied by the Yoruba ethnic group such as the Oyos, the Ogbomosos, the Ibadans, the Ibarapas and the Oke-oguns. However, there are sub ethnic groups with distinct dialect peculiarities.

Oyo State Population 2019/2020

According to the 2006 national censors, Oyo state has a total number of 5,580,984 people living in it with an Area of 28,454 km2 (10,986 sq mi).

Local Government Areas in Oyo State

Oyo state comprises of thirty-three (33) local government areas. They are:

Afijio                                     Akinyele                              Egbeda

Ibadan North                     Ibadan North-East           Ibadan North-West

Ibadan South-west         Ibadan south-East           Ibarapa Central

Ibarapa East                       Eruwa                                   Ido

Irepo                                     Iseyin                                    Kajola

Lagelu                                   Ogbomoso North             Ogbomoso South

Oyo West                            Atiba                                     Atisbo

Ona Ara                                Oyo East                              Ori Ire

Orelope                               Surulere                               Ogo Oluwa

Oluyole                                Olorunsogo                        Ibarapa North

Iwajowa                               Itesiwaju                             Saki East

Saki West

Wards in Oyo State

Map of Oyo State

Major Towns  in Oyo State

Some of the major towns and cities in Oyo state are;

Ibadan  Ogbomoso          Saki        Igbo-Ora

Iseyin    Igboho                  Oyo        Fiditi

Kisi         Ilora                      Okeho  Eruwa

Economy of Oyo State

The economy of Oyo state is mainly based on agriculture and handicrafts. Agricultural products such as cassava, maize(corn), yam, plantain, kola nuts, palm kernel, palm oil, beans, millets, tobacco, cocoa, cotton, indigo and fruits of various species. The state is also noted for industries such as leather works, cotton spinning, weaving, dyeing, mat making and wood carving. There are also tertiary institutions located in the state that forms part of its economy, such as: University of Ibadan (Ibadan), Ladoke Akintola university of Technology (Ogbomoso), Lead University (Ibadan), Atiba University (Oyo), Ajayi Crowther University (Oyo) and other various institutions cut across the state. Ibadan which is the largest city in the state possesses industries such as a brewery, cannery, publishing industry, tobacco processing factory, and motor-vehicle assembly plant.

Tourist  Attraction Centers in Oyo State

Oyo State is very rich in tourist attractions and has a lot of travel destinations that would be a fascinating delight to outdoor lovers and tourists. Top six of such places are:

• University of Ibadan zoological garden (Ibadan)
• Oke Ado mountain/Iyake lake (ado Awaye)
• Old Oyo national park (Oyo)
• Bower memorial tower (Oke Aare)
• IITA forest reserve (Ibadan)
• Agodi Botanical garden (Ibadan)

Senatorial Districts Zones in Oyo State

Oyo State has eighteen (18) Local Government Areas grouped under the three zones.

• Oyo Central
• Oyo North
• Oyo South

Government of Oyo state

Oyo state has three Arms of Government:

• The Executive Arm
• The Legislative Arm
• The Judicial Arm

The Executive Arm of Oyo State

This Arm is headed by the State governor assisted by the commissioners who the governor appoints to head different departments of the State. Senator Abiola Ajimobi is the present governor of Oyo State with Chief Moses Alake as the deputy governor.

The Legislative Arm of Oyo State

This is the State house of Assembly in Oyo State. It is made up of 33 members voted by the people of the 33 constituencies in the State. MICHAEL ADEYOMO ADEYEMI is the present speaker of the State Assembly.

The Judicial Arm of Oyo State

This Arm of the State is headed by the chief judge of the State to ensure justice in all areas.  Justice MUKTAR ABIMBOLA is the present chief Judge of the State.

READ ALSO>>>History of Delta State<<<