We bring to you interesting facts about Ogun state and it’s capital – Abeokuta.
It goes without saying that Ogun is one of the richest states in Nigeria. There are 36 states and capital in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Ogun is one of them.
Ogun is located in the southeastern region of Nigeria It was created on the 3rd of February 1976.
Ogun is well known for its popular manufacturing industries like Dangote Cement, Nestle, Lafarge, and so on.
Ogun state is the 16th most populous state in Nigeria within the 36 states as it has a total population of 3,751,140 people according to the 2006 population census.
The state has a total area size of 6, 556, 23 square miles which makes it the 24th largest state by area in Nigeria.
Ogun comprises of 20 local governments and the most common of the state’s Nicknames is “The Gateway State”.
The state capital city is Abeokuta and it was founded in the year 1830, even before Ogun became a state. Abeokuta is the most populous city in the state.
Have you tasted Ogun state Ofada rice before? That’s just a tip of what you’ll come to learn about the interesting place.
Ogun State Profile
The following are quick information about the state of Ogun.
- Year of creation: 3 February 1976
- Country: Nigeria
- Capital City: Abeokuta
- State Motto: Gateway State
- Current State Governor: Dapo Abiodun
- Major Tribes: Egbas, Ijebus, Yewas, Remos and Aworis who belong to the main Yoruba ethnic group.
- Major Rivers: Ogun River and Yewa River
- Local Governments: 20 in total
Ogun State Flag
Ogun is a legitimate state in Nigeria and it was created on the 3rd of February 1976.
Ogun state flag consists of two main background colors which are; Green and Yellow. A better description has it as Green, Yellow and Green.
At the center of the flag, it has the Nigerian Coat of Arms with a banner that has the writings “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress” on it.
Did you know that Ogun is one of the top 10 richest states in Nigeria? Check out the list.
Land Area and Map
Ogun state is located in the southwestern region of Nigeria and it was created from the former western state.
Ogun is ranked the 24th largest state by area in Nigeria as it has a total area size of 6,556.23 square miles. Which amounts to 16,980.55km2.
Ogun state is bordered by Lagos state to the south, Ondo state and the Republic of Benin to the west, Oyo state and Osun state to the north.
Related: Edo state facts – All you need to know
People and Animal Life
Ogun is purely a Yoruba-speaking state while its general language is English due to the British Colonial influence.
Although there are other common languages in the state like Hausa and Igbo, Yoruba is the main language and the most common language among the people of the state.
Talking about the people of Ogun state, the Yorubas are predominant because they are the main inhabitants.
You should know that because the Yorubas are most common indigenous group in Ogun doesn’t mean there are no other ethnic groups. Some of the other ethnic groups would find are; the Igbos, Hausas, Fulanis, and few others.
Based on the 2006 population census, Ogun has a total population of 3,751,140 people and it makes Ogun state the 16th most populous state in Nigeria.
The Egba people were the first to inhabit Ogun area because they were the refugees that fled from the disintegrating Oyo Empire and their leader was called Sodoke who gained principality in Abeokuta.
Not long after, the Egbado people began to inhabit Ogun due to the fact that the Egbado Kingdom was raided for slaves by Dahomeyans.
On the part of wildlife; some of the animals in Ogun state are; Python snakes, Tree toads, Bats, Elephants, Lions, Pigs, Bush cats, Boars, and many more. You should know that most of these wild animals are found in the zoo and forest reserve.
5 Interesting Facts About Ogun
Did you know that Ogun State has the highest number of universities in Nigeria? 15 Universities and Polytechnics.
- Did you know that Ogun was the first state to have a hospital in Nigeria? The hospital has the name “The Sacred Heart Hospital”.
- Did you know that Ogun is the largest producer of limestone in Nigeria? In fact, Ogun is the largest producer of limestone in Africa.
- Did you know that two of the best five private universities in Nigeria are situated in the state? Covenant University and Babcock University are the two best private universities you can find in Ogun and more importantly, Covenant University is the best private university in Nigeria.
- Did you know that Ogun is the highest producer of poultry products in Nigeria?
- Did you know that Ogun state pays the highest amount of royalty to the Federal Government in Nigeria? The state has a lot of rich manufacturing industries situated in its land and that explains why.
- Did you know that the state has one of the best NYSC camps in Nigeria?
5 Most Popular Cities In Ogun State
Ogun state has over 32 notable incorporated cities and towns.
Abeokuta is the state capital city of Ogun and it is as well the most populous city.
Below, you would find a list of 5 most populous cities in Ogun as the city of Abeokuta takes the lead.
Abeokuta
Abeokuta is the most populated city in Ogun with 45,607 people based people based on 2006 population census.
Abeokuta is the capital city and it is located in the North central area of the state.
Abeokuta has a total area size of 879km2 which could be calculated to be about 339 square miles.
Olumo rock is one of the popular notable sites of Abeokuta as it attracts a lot of tourists in Nigeria and around the world.
Here are quick facts from our collection of 20 interesting facts about Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state
Sagamu
The second most popular city in Ogun state is Sagamu. Sagamu has a total population of about 253,414 residents.
Sagamu was confirmed in the mid-19th century by some Remo branch member of the Yorubas.
Sagamu has a total area size of 237 square miles which amounts to 614KM2.
A university’s college called “Olabisi Onabanjo University’s college of Medicine” is located in Sagamu.
Ijebu Ode
Ijebu Ode is a well-known city in Ogun state and it is located in the eastern part of Ogun, Nigeria.
Ijebu Ode is the third most popular city in Ogun as its population has been estimated to be about 22,653 based on 2007 population census.
Ijebu Ode has a total area size of 74 square miles which could also be said to be about 192km2.
Ijebu Ode consists of the most Ijebus (Ijebu people). Ijebu Ode was made up of a combination of two people’s names; “Ajebu and Ode”.
Ikenne
Ikenne is local government and a town in Ogun state.
Ikenne has a total land area of 144km2 which amounts to a total of 56 square miles.
The fourth populous city in Ogun goes to Ikenne as it has a total population of 118,735 people.
Iju
Iju is located in the southern part of Ogun and it is very close to Lagos.
Iju is the fifth most populous city in Ogun with a population of 75,000 plus people.
Iju is mostly inhabited by the people of Egba and Owu.
Iju was once used as a war camp between the years 1842 and 1845.
The common nickname for Iju city is called Iju Gbalefa.
Ogun State Summary
Ogun state is home to a majority of the firstly introduced establishments in Nigeria like the first church in Nigeria, the first secondary school in Nigeria, the first hospital in Nigeria, and many more.
The state mostly comprises of the Yoruba people and you should have heard of or have at least experienced the high level of the Yorubas friendliness.
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