Oyo State

Engr. Seyi Makinde (PDP) has served as Governor of Oyo State since 2019. Under his 'Roadmap for Accelerated Development,' the state's economy has grown substantially, and his administration has pushed a major diversification into tourism, launching a 25-year Tourism Master Plan in 2026.

Oyo State was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State, one of three states (with Ogun and Ondo) carved from it. Osun State was later split from its eastern portion in 1991. The state sits on territory once ruled by the powerful Oyo Empire, dominant in West Africa from the 14th to 19th centuries. Its capital, Ibadan, is the largest city in West Africa by landmass and home to the University of Ibadan, Nigeria's first university. Its official 2006 census population was 5,580,894.

Nicknamed the 'Pace Setter State,' now pursuing an aggressive 25-year Tourism Master Plan targeting over 30 tourism sites, from suspended lakes to film villages.

• Cultural Landscape of Old Oyo
• Iyake Suspended Lake
• KAP Film Village, Igbojaiye
• World Twins Festival, Igbo-Ora

Rainforest in the south transitions to guinea savannah in the north, supporting maize, yam, cassava, millet, rice, cocoa, oil palm, and cashew cultivation.

Maize · Yam · Cassava · Cocoa · Oil palm · Cashew

State GDP grew from ₦2.75 trillion (2019) to ₦4.05 trillion (Q3 2022). Attracted Shell Nigeria Gas Limited's first gas project in the state, alongside growing agribusiness and solid minerals investment interest.

Agribusiness · Solid minerals · Creative economy & tourism · Sustainable energy

University of Ibadan · Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso