Osun State
“Land of Virtue”
Key Information
Capital City
Osogbo
Governor
Ademola Adeleke
Deputy Governor
Kola Adewusi
Date Created
27 August 1991
Geopolitical Zone
South West
Area
9,251 km²
Estimated Population
4,705,589 (2016 estimate)
Senatorial Districts
3
About Osun State
Osun is an inland state in south-western Nigeria and is an important center of Yoruba history, religion, and culture, especially because of Ile-Ife and the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. It was carved out of the old Oyo State and is home to several ancient cities and landmark historical sites of global significance.
Historical Origins and Formation
Osun State was created on August 27, 1991, during the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida. It was formed from the eastern part of the old Oyo State following long-standing demands for administrative autonomy by local communities. The state is historically significant as it contains Ile-Ife, which is traditionally recognized as the ancestral home and cradle of the Yoruba civilization. Its history is deeply intertwined with the ancient Oyo Empire and the various sub-ethnic Yoruba groups that populate the region today.
Geography and Natural Landscapes
The state occupies a landlocked area in the tropical rainforest zone, bounded by Kwara State to the north, Ekiti and Ondo States to the east, Ogun State to the south, and Oyo State to the west. Its topography is characterized by rolling hills and plains, with the Oke-Ila Ridge and the Ijesa highlands providing notable elevation. Several important rivers flow through the territory, most notably the Osun River, which is central to the state's identity and spiritual heritage. The climate is tropical, featuring a distinct rainy season from April to October and a dry season influenced by the harmattan winds.
Culture, Tourism, and World Heritage
Osun is a global destination for cultural tourism, primarily due to the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The grove is an expansive area of primary high forest along the banks of the Osun River, containing numerous shrines and artworks dedicated to the goddess of fertility. Every August, the Osun-Osogbo Festival attracts thousands of domestic and international visitors to the capital city. Other major attractions include the Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls, the ancient Ooni's Palace in Ile-Ife, and the Kiriji War Museum, which commemorates the historic 19th-century Yoruba civil wars.
Economic Profile and Infrastructure
Agriculture is the backbone of the Osun State economy, with the region being a significant producer of cocoa, palm oil, and food crops like yam, cassava, and maize. The state also possesses valuable mineral resources, including significant gold deposits in the Ijesaland axis that support both formal and artisanal mining activities. Osun is a major educational hub in Nigeria, hosting the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife and the multi-campus Osun State University. Infrastructure development in recent years has focused on urban renewal in Osogbo and the improvement of inter-town road networks to facilitate commerce.
Local Government Areas (30)
Other Nigerian States
Share this profile
Help others learn about Osun State