Ondo State is one of the 36 states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The state was created on the 3rd of February, 1976, carved out from the former Western state. Originally, Ondo state included the present Ekiti State, but Ekiti state was split off in 1996. The capital of Ondo state is Akure. Ondo state shares borders with Ekiti state to its north, Kogi state to its northeast, Edo state to its east, Delta state to its southeast, Ogun state to its southwest, and Osun state to the northwest and the Atlantic Ocean to its south. The major ethnic group in Ondo state is from the Yoruba subgroups. Many indigenes of Ondo state people who speak a variant of the Yoruba language similar to the Ife dialect. Ondo state contains eighteen local government areas. This article covers all you need to know about the local governments in Ondo state.
List of Local Governments in Ondo State
Read on below:
Okitipupa Local government
This local government is part of the Yoruba tribe of Ondo state. It was originally a combination of the present Okitipupa Local Government and Irele Local Government before both local governments were split into two to form the Ìrèlè local government and Okitipupa local government. Okitipupa is part of the Ikale-speaking part of Ondo State. The headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government is located in Okitipupa town, which used to be known as Ode-Idepe. The Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) is located in Okitipupa town. The major occupation among natives of Ikale is farming.
Ondo East
Its headquarters are in the town of Bolorunduro. According to the 2006 census, Ondo East has a population of 76,096 people. Ondo East Local Government shares boundaries with Idanre Local Government to its North, Ondo West Local Government to its South, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government to its East and Atakimosa west of Osun State to its North-Eastern side.
Ondo West
Ondo West has its headquarters in the town of Ondo. According to the 2006 census, the LGA has a population of 283,672 people.
Ose
Ose has its headquarters in the town of Ifon. The major occupation of this region is farming. Here, you will find many involved in cocoa and plantain farming. According to the 2006 census, Ose LGA has a population of 144,901 people.
Owo
Owo was the capital of a Yoruba city-state, between 1400 and 1600 AD. According to the 2006 population census, Owo local government has a population of 222,262 people. According to their oral tradition, the origin of Owo can be traced back to the ancient city of Ile-Ife, which is usually referred to as the cradle of Yoruba culture. Oral tradition also claims that the founders of Owo were the sons of the Yoruba deity Odudua, who was the first ruler of Ile-Ife. The Palace of the Olowo of Owo is the largest palace in all of Africa. Currently, the city of Owo is an agricultural center in Nigeria.
Akoko North-East
Its headquarters is in the town of Ikare. According to the 2006 census, the LGA has a population of 175,409 people.
Akoko North-West
Its headquarters is in the town of Okeagbe. According to the 2006 census, Akoko North East has a population of 213,792 people.
Akoko South-East
Its headquarters is located at Isua (Akoko). The origin of Isua can be traced back to the ancient Benin empire where the people of Isua migrated from. Isua is divided into seven quarters. The royal family that produces the kings of Isua come from odovia (Odovia means the royal family). Isua is divided into two major types called Isua Oke and Isua Ile, however, the king resides in Isua Oke. According to the 2006 census, Isua has a population of 82,426 people.
Akoko South-West
Its headquarters are in the town of Oke-Oka while its area council is located at Oba-Akoko. According to the 2006 census, Akoko South-west has a population of 239,486 people.
Akure North
Its headquarters are in the town of Iju/Itaogbolu. According to the 2006 census, Akure North has a population of 131,587 people. The postal code of the area is 340.
Akure South
Akure South has its headquarters in the town of Akure. According to the 2006 census, Akure South has a population of 353,211 people. The postal code of the area is 340
Ese Odo
Ese Odo Local government area is populated by the Ijaw (Izon) ethnic subgroups. These ones are of the Western Apoi tribe and the Arogbo tribe. The headquarters of Ese Odo LGA are in the town of Igbekebo. According to the 2006 census, Ese Odo has a population of 154,978 people.
Idanre
Idanre is both a historic Local Government Area and town in Ondo state. Idanre town is located at the foot of the scenic Idanre Hill, a tourist attraction of international renown in Ondo state. Idanre is Nigeria’s largest cocoa producing area. Idanre is mainly a Yoruba speaking tribe, that speak a language similar to the Ondo Dialect. The majority of its inhabitant are into farming and trading. Idanre Hill (also known as Oke Idanre) is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the whole of Nigeria. It includes cultural sites such as Owa’s Palace, Shrines, etc.
Ifedore
Ifedore has its headquarters in the town of Igbara-Oke. The popular Elizade University is located in Ifedore area. According to the 2006 census, Ifedore LGA has a population of 176,327 people.
Ìlàje
Ìlàje has its headquarters in the town of Igbokoda. The origin of Ìlàje can be traced back to Ile Ife, the original ancestral home of the Ìlàje’s. Some Ilajes were said to have left in the 10th century. According to the 2006 census, Ilaje land has a population of 290,615 people. However, many believe the population is under enumerated because many were not counted due to the riverine nature of the area, and lack of accessibility.
Ile Oluji/Okeigbo
Ile Oluji or Okeigbo has its headquarters are in the town of Ile Oluji. According to the 2006 census, Ile Oluji LGA has a population of 172,870 people.
Irele has its headquarters are in the town of Ode-Irele. The local government used to be a part of the Ikale or old Ikale local government. According to the 2006 census, Ikale has a population of 145,166 people.