South West
Ondo State
Capital: Akure · Created 1976 · ≈5.0 million · Area 15,500 km²
Population
≈5.0 million
Size
15,500 km²
Capital
Akure
Year created
1976
Geopolitical zone
South West
Languages
Yoruba (Ondo, Owo, Akoko, Ikale, Ilaje) · Ijaw (Apoi) · English
Ethnic groups
- Yoruba (majority)
- Ijaw-Apoi
- Ilaje
- Ikale
Natural resources
- Bitumen (world's second-largest reserve)
- Crude oil (Ilaje coast)
- Kaolin
- Granite
- Cocoa (leading producer)
Signature foods
- Iyan with egusi
- Ikokore
- Amala with ewedu
- Ondo yam pottage
- Ekuru
Notable people
- Chief Adekunle Ajasin (former governor)
- Rotimi Akeredolu (late governor)
- Ibrahim Coomassie (former IGP)
- Segun Adebutu (businessman)
- General Adeyinka Adebayo (military officer)
Culture, values & festivals
- Ekimogun Day festival
- Igogo festival (Owo)
- Cocoa culture — 'Sunshine State'
- Rich Yoruba oral history
Top places to visit in Ondo
- 1
Idanre Hills
UNESCO tentative list — 682-step climb, ancient palace, footprint imprint.
- 2
Owo Museum of Antiquities
Ancient Owo terracotta and ivory works.
- 3
Ebomi Lake, Ipesi-Akoko
Freshwater lake with sacred fish.
- 4
Cocoa Farms of Idanre
Farm tours of the cocoa heartland.
About the South West
Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo. Yoruba homeland, commercial capital, oldest universities.