Oyo State lies in Nigeria’s South West geopolitical zone, with its capital at Ibadan, one of the largest cities in West Africa by land area. The state comprises 33 local government areas and recorded a population of 5,580,894 at the 2006 census, projected to reach 7,976,100 by 2022. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.
Local Government Areas in Oyo State
Oyo State’s 33 local government areas stretch from the five urban LGAs inside metropolitan Ibadan — Ibadan North, Ibadan North East, Ibadan North West, Ibadan South East, and Ibadan South West — to large rural spreads in the north and west, including Saki West, Iseyin, and Kajola, and the border LGAs of Ibarapa near the Republic of Benin.
| LGA | 2006 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Afijio | 132,184 | 188,900 |
| Akinyele | 211,811 | 302,700 |
| Atiba | 168,246 | 240,500 |
| Atisbo | 109,965 | 157,200 |
| Egbeda | 283,643 | 405,400 |
| Ibadan North | 308,119 | 440,400 |
| Ibadan North East | 331,444 | 473,700 |
| Ibadan North West | 154,029 | 220,100 |
| Ibadan South East | 266,457 | 380,800 |
| Ibadan South West | 283,098 | 404,600 |
| Ibarapa Central | 103,243 | 147,600 |
| Ibarapa East | 117,182 | 167,500 |
| Ibarapa North | 100,293 | 143,300 |
| Ido | 104,087 | 148,800 |
| Irepo | 121,240 | 173,300 |
| Iseyin | 255,619 | 365,300 |
| Itesiwaju | 127,391 | 182,100 |
| Iwajowa | 102,847 | 147,000 |
| Kajola | 200,528 | 286,600 |
| Lagelu | 148,133 | 211,700 |
| Ogbomosho North | 198,859 | 284,200 |
| Ogbomosho South | 100,379 | 143,500 |
| Ogo Oluwa | 65,198 | 93,200 |
| Olorunsogo | 81,339 | 116,200 |
| Oluyole | 203,461 | 290,800 |
| Ona-Ara | 265,571 | 379,500 |
| Orelope | 104,004 | 148,600 |
| Ori Ire | 149,408 | 213,500 |
| Oyo East | 124,095 | 177,400 |
| Oyo West | 136,457 | 195,000 |
| Saki East | 108,957 | 155,700 |
| Saki West | 273,268 | 390,500 |
| Surulere | 140,339 | 200,600 |
Oyo State has 33 official local government areas; 21 of them have full town-and-village lists on this site, with the five Ibadan metropolitan LGAs and a handful of others still pending full verification.
Geography
Oyo State borders Kwara State to the north, Osun State to the east, Ogun State to the south, and the Republic of Benin to the west. It has no coastline; the terrain rises from tropical rainforest in the south, around Ibadan, into derived savanna and open grassland toward Oyo town, Saki, and the far north. The Ogun and Oyan rivers cross the state and feed reservoirs used for irrigation and water supply. Rock outcrops and low hills mark the landscape around Ibadan and Oyo, remnants of the granite basement complex that underlies most of South West Nigeria. Ibarapa and the far-northern LGAs bordering Kwara sit on flatter, drier plains suited to grain and livestock farming. The climate is tropical, with a rainy season from roughly April to October and a dry, dusty Harmattan season from November to March. Ibadan’s position roughly midway between Lagos and the country’s northern half makes the state a natural road and rail corridor for goods moving in and out of the South West.
Economy & Local Life
Farming anchors life outside Ibadan, with cassava, maize, yam, and cocoa grown widely across the rural LGAs, and cattle and grain trade common in the drier north around Saki and Iseyin. Ibadan itself is a long-established center for trade, education, and administration, home to major markets, tertiary institutions including the University of Ibadan, and light manufacturing. Bodija and Dugbe, both in Ibadan, are among the best-known food and produce markets in the South West, drawing traders from across the wider region. Saki, Iseyin, and Ogbomosho are established trading towns; Iseyin in particular is known for handwoven aso oke cloth, and Ogbomosho has a long history in leatherwork and commerce. Local government headquarters across the state also support civil service employment as a major source of local income.
FAQ
How many local government areas are in Oyo State?
Oyo State has 33 local government areas, including five within metropolitan Ibadan. They are listed in the table above, alphabetically, with 2006 census and 2022 projected populations.
What is the capital of Oyo State?
Ibadan is the capital of Oyo State. It is also the state’s largest city and its main center of trade, government, and education.
What is the population of Oyo State?
Oyo State recorded a population of 5,580,894 at the 2006 census. That figure is projected to reach 7,976,100 by 2022.
Which LGA in Oyo State has the largest population?
Ibadan North East is the most populous LGA in Oyo State, with 331,444 people at the 2006 census. Its 2022 projection stands at 473,700.
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