Oyo State, popularly referred to as the “Pace Setter” is one of the 36 States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It came into existence with the break up of the old Western State of Nigeria during the State creation exercise in 1976 and it originally included Osun State, which was split off in 1991. Oyo State is homogenous, mainly inhabited by the Yoruba ethnic group who are primarily agrarian but have a predilection for living in high density urban centers.

The indigenes mainly comprise the Oyos, the Ogbomosos, the Oke-Oguns, the Ibadans and the Ibarapas, all belonging to the Yoruba family and indigenous city in Africa, south of the Sahara. Ibadan had been the centre of administration of the old Western Region, Nigeria since the days of the British colonial rule. Other notable cities and towns in Oyo State include Oyo, Ogbomoso, Iseyin, Kisi, Okeho, Saki, Eruwa, Lanlate, Sepeteri, Ilora, Awe, Ilero, Igbeti, Igboho and Igbo-Ora.

The climate in the State favours the cultivation of crops like Maize, Yam, Cassava, Millet, Rice, Plantain, Cocoa tree, Palm tree and Cashew. There are a number of Government Farm Settlements in Ipapo, Ilora, Sepeteri, Eruwa, Ogbomoso, Iresa-adu, Ijaiye, Akufo and Lalupon. There is abundance of Clay, Kaolin and Aquamarine. There are also vast cattle ranches at Saki, Fasola, Moniya and Ibadan.

Records, Landmarks and ‘Firsts’

The first university in Nigeria is the University of Ibadan (established as a college of the University of London when it was founded in 1948, and later converted into an Autonomous university in 1962). It has the distinction of being one of the premier educational institutions in West Africa. The other Universities in the State are: Lead City University, Ajayi Crowther University and the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and The Polytechnic Ibadan which is one of the best polytechnics in Nigeria.

There are 631 secondary schools as well as 1,576 public primary schools in the State. Other noteworthy institutions in the city include the University College Hospital; the first teaching hospital in Nigeria and the internationally acclaimed International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Another prominent landmark in Oyo State is the Cocoa House, the first skyscraper built in Africa. The State is also home to NTA Ibadan, the first television station in Africa and Liberty Stadium the first stadium built in Africa.
Other major tourist attractions in the State include: Agodi Gardens, Ado-Awaye Suspended Lake, Mapo Hall, University of lbadan Zoological Garden, Ido Cenotaph, Trans-Wonderland Amusement Park, Oke-Ogun National Park in Old Oyo-Ile, Iyamopo and Agbele Hill in Igbeti, Bowers Tower and the Cultural Centre, Mokola.

The State which is homogeneous, has a population of about 6million and is predominantly occupied by the Yoruba people. Within the State however, there are sub-ethnic groups with distinct dialect peculiarities. The people of Oyo State may be divided into five broad groups which are: the Ibadans, the Ibarapas, the Oyos, the Oke-Oguns and the Ogbomosos.

Notable Indigenes

• Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, Alaafin of Oyo.
• Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (Aje Ogungunniso 1), Olubadan of Ibadan.
• Samuel Ojo, Scientist, Civil Engineer.
• Alh Abdul Wahab Alao Yusuf, Asiwaju of Oyoland
• Oba Abiola Taiwo, Alaawe of Aawe.
• Oba Solademi Adewuyi, Alayede of Ayede.
• Oba Kareem Oyesiji, Oba lufon of Sepeteri, Oyo State.
• Oba Oyewumi Ajagungbade II, Soun of Ogbomoso Land.
• Lam Adesina, former Governor Oyo State (1999 – 2003), Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria.
• Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, former Governor of Oyo State (2003 – 2007).
• Christopher Alao Akala, former Governor of Oyo State(2007–2011).
• Chief Samuel Farinu, former State Chairman Action Congress of Nigeria.
• Emmanuel Oladipo Alayande, politician.
• Augustus Akinloye, politician.
• Prof. Arinola Olasumbo Sanya, former Commissioner of Health, Oyo State and first female Professor of Physiotherapy in Africa.
• Chief E. O. Ashamu, Entrepreneur. First Nigerian to implement PPP (Public Private Partnership) in Nigeria.
• Prince Ajibola Afonja, former Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria PLC, former Minister for Labour and Productivity.
• Prof Dibu Ojerinde, The former Registrar Joint Matriculation Board of Nigeria.
• Mr Ajekigbe, former Group Managing Director First Bank of Nigeria PLC.
• Amos Fenwa, Senior Pastor, Holy Ghost Christian Center,Lagos Nigeria.
• Alhaji Arisekola Alao, former Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland (1980 – 2014).
• Chief Joseph Egbetola Aibinu, Chairman Ifedapo Local Government of Oyo State, 1987–1989, One time member of the Oyo State 3SC Football Club Management Board.
• Mr Anthony Adetunji Adejinle, Prominent Mathematician and renowned pioneering educationist.
• Oyewumi Adetona Aderibigbe, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor, (Manchester Metropolitan University. England).
• Hon. Justice Stephen Laoye Popoola (RTD) (First High Court Judge from Oke – Ogun Region, Member of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission 1999 – 2004, Presiding Judge Over Kaduna Armed Robbery Tribunal, 1985)
• Dr. Olufemi Olaifa, Former Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on Parastatals.
• Rev. Olubunmi Adeleye Thomas, The founding National Secretary, The Youth Fellowship of the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria and the leader of the Student Unrest that kicked against the emergence of Cultist in St. Andrews College of Education in Oyo Town 1997, his final year result was cancelled, he was persecuted by the power that be, arrested and detained by the Abacha Junta at C.I.B. Eleyele Ibadan August 27,1997.

Oyo State covers approximately an area of 28,454 square kilometers and is ranked 14th by size, it is bordered in the south by Ogun State, in the north by Kwara State, in the west, it is partly bordered by Ogun State and partly by the Republic of Benin, while in the East by Osun State. The landscape is a beautiful view of old hard rocks and dome shaped hills, which rise gently from about 500 metres in the southern part and reaches a height of about 1,219 metres above sea level in the northern part. Some principal rivers such as Ogun river, Oba, Oyan, Otin, Ofiki, Sasa, Oni, Erinle and Osun river owe their sources to this highland.
Oyo State contains a number of natural features including the Old Oyo National Park. This location was the early habitat of the endangered African Wild Dog; Lycaon pictus. However, this canid is thought to have been locally extirpated at present.
The Climate is equatorial, with dry and wet seasons and with a notably relatively high humidity. The dry season lasts from November to March while the wet season starts from April and ends in October. The average daily temperature ranges between 25 °C (77.0 °F) and 35 °C (95.0 °F), almost throughout the year.