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Oyo State

State of Nigeria

  • 12 min read
  • 12 chapters
Ibadan is the capital and most populous city of Oyo State, in Nigeria. It is the third-largest city by population in Nigeria after Lagos and Kano
Ei'eke · CC BY-SA 4.0

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The vast majority of Oyo State residents are Yoruba. Nicknamed the "Pace Setter State", present-day Oyo State sits on territory formerly ruled by the Oyo Empire. The Oyo Empire was a powerful Yoruba empire that ruled much of Oyo state and by extension major parts of Yoruba lands from c. 1300 to 1896. Built in the 1830s, the modern city of Oyo "New Ọyọ" (Ọ̀yọ́ Àtìbà) is considered a remnant of the imperial Oyo era to distinguish itself from the former capital to the north, 'Old Oyo' (Ọ̀yọ́-Ilé). Although the medieval great Oyo empire collapsed in 1835, The Alaafin (owner and custodian of the palace) continues to serve a ceremonial role in the new city of Oyo in present Oyo state.

Oyo State is the biggest state in Southern Nigeria in terms of landmass and is the second most populated state in Southern Nigeria after Lagos. According to the 2006 census the state is ranked the 4th most populous state in Nigeria with a population of 5,580,894. The recent estimate in 2022 projected the state population to be around 7,976,100 making it the sixth most populous in the Nigeria. Noted for being the site of the first university in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan, founded in 1948, the state is acclaimed to be the state of many first in Nigeria including the First television station, first road in Nigeria, first stadium in Nigeria, First railway line in Nigeria, first teaching hospital in Nigeria amongst others.

The capital city of Ibadan, is the 3rd most populated city in Nigeria according to the 2006 official census. The state has the highest number of towns and cities mentioned in the top 50 most populous towns in Nigeria with Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Saki and Iseyin all featuring in the list. The state economy remains largely agrarian, with the western city of Shaki being described as the state's breadbasket. Cassava, cocoa, and tobacco are among the most important crops to Oyo State's economy.

Geography

Oyo State covers approximately an area of 28,454 square kilometres (7,031,000 acres; 10,986 square miles) and is ranked 14th by size. The landscape consists of old hard rocks and dome shaped hills, which rise gently from about 500 metres (550 yards; 1,600 feet) in the southern part and reaching a height of about 1,200 metres (1,300 yards; 3,900 feet) above sea level in the northern part. Some principal rivers such as Ogun, Oba, Oyan, Otin, Ofiki, Sasa, Oni, Erinle and Osun river originate in this highland. The southern and southeastern parts of the state form a continuous plain.

Oyo State contains a number of natural features including the Old Oyo National Park, Agodi parks and gardens. In this location there was earlier habitat for the endangered African wild dog, Lycaon pictus; however, this canid is thought to have been locally extirpated at the present.

Climate

The climate is equatorial, notably with dry and wet seasons with relatively high humidity. The dry season lasts from November to March while the wet season starts from April and ends in October. Average daily temperature ranges between 25 °C (77 °F) and 35 °C (95 °F), almost throughout the year.

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