Oyo State

Oyo State
State
Flag Seal
Nicknames:  Pace Setter State
Location of Oyo State in Nigeria
Coordinates: 8°00′N 4°00′E / 8.000°N 4.000°E / 8.000; 4.000[2]
Country	Nigeria
Date created	3 February 1976
Capital	Ibadan
Government
• Body	Government of Oyo State
• Governor[3]	Seyi Makinde (PDP)
• Deputy Governor	Bayo Lawal (PDP)
• Legislature	Oyo State House of Assembly
• Senators	C: Yunus Akintunde (APC) N: Abdulfatai Buhari (APC) S: Sharafadeen Alli (APC)
• Representatives	List
Area
• Total	28,454 km2 (10,986 sq mi)
Population  (2006)[5]
• Total	5,580,894[1]
• Estimate  (2022)	7,976,100[4]
GDP (PPP)
• Year	2021
• Total	$23.8 billion[6]
• Per capita	$2,560[6]
Time zone	UTC+01 (WAT)
postal code	200001
ISO 3166 code	NG-OY
HDI (2022)	0.603[7] medium · 15th of 37
Website	www.oyostate.gov.ng

Oyo State is a state in southwestern Nigeria. Its capital is Ibadan, the third most populous city in the country and formerly the second most populous city in Africa.^[8] Oyo State is bordered to the north by Kwara State for 337 km, to the southeast by Osun State for 187 km, partly across the River Osun, and to the south by Ogun State, and to the west by the Republic of Benin for 98 km. With a projected population of 7,976,100 in 2022, Oyo State is the sixth most populous in the Nigeria.^[9]

The vast majority of Oyo State residents are Yoruba.^[10] Nicknamed the "Pace Setter State", present-day Oyo State sits on territory formerly ruled by various kingdoms and empires.^{[citation needed]}

The Oyo Empire was a powerful Yoruba empire that ruled in much of the area from c. 1300 to 1896.^[11] Built in the 1830s, modern city of Oyo is considered a remnant of the imperial era, being referred to as "New Ọyọ" (Ọ̀yọ́ Àtìbà) to distinguish itself from the former capital to the north, 'Old Oyo' (Ọ̀yọ́-Ilé). The Alaafin of Oyo continues to serve a ceremonial role in the city.^[12]

Oyo State is noted for being the site of the first university in Nigeria,^[13] the University of Ibadan,^[14] founded in 1948. The state economy remains largely agrarian, with the western city of Shaki being described as the state's breadbasket. cassava, cocoa, and tobacco are among the most important crops to Oyo State's economy.^[15][16]