There’s way more going on in Ondo than you’d realize. Like, when people think of Southwest Nigeria, they usually jump straight to Lagos or Ibadan, right? But Ondo State? It’s got this whole thing happening that’s pretty fascinating once you start looking into it.
Created in 1976, so it’s relatively new as states go, but the history here goes way back. We’re talking about over 5 million people spread across 18 local government areas. That’s a lot of people, and here’s what interests me: it’s not just one type of place. You’ve got coastal areas, hills, forests, urban centers, and tiny villages.
The diversity is real, too. Mostly Yoruba, yeah, but then you’ve got this mix of Christianity, Islam, traditional beliefs all coexisting. That honestly works better than you’d think in some places, though such creates tension in others. That’s just Nigeria for you.
But let me tell you about Ondo’s largest towns. The ones where stuff happens.
Top 10 Largest Towns In Ondo State
1. Akure
2. Owo
3. Akoko
4. Okitipupa
5. Ikare
6. Odigbo
7. Idanre
8. Ile-Oluji
9. Ilaje
10. Irele
Largest Towns In Ondo State
1. Akure
Akure’s got about 803,062 people, which makes it massive by Nigerian standards. Not Lagos massive, but still. It’s the capital, so obviously that’s where the government stuff happens, but what surprised me is how much else is going on.
They’ve a proper media presence, including NTA Akure, Ondo State TV, and multiple radio stations. Sunshine Radio, Adaba FM, Orange FM. That’s more media infrastructure than some bigger cities I know. And it’s not just token stations either, they’re relevant.
The economy is interesting. You’d think it’d be all government since it’s the capital, but no. Agriculture is huge: cocoa, yam, cassava, all that. There’s this annual trade fair that apparently draws people from all over. And then there’s FUTA, Federal University of Technology, which is a decent school. Changes the whole vibe of the city, having university students around.
What I found strange in a good way is the way the religions coexist. You can find a church, mosque, and traditional shrine basically on the same street, and nobody’s fighting about it. That’s pretty remarkable for Nigeria, honestly.
Healthcare is decent, too. State hospital plus private clinics. Even has an airport, though I’m not sure how busy it gets.
2. Owo
This is where it gets interesting. Owo’s the second biggest city, but it’s got this crazy historical significance. We’re talking 14th-century palace; the Aghofen Palace, that’s supposedly the largest in Africa. The federal government made it a national monument and everything.
100 courtyards originally. Can you imagine? Each one is for different deities and functions. It’s like a whole city within a city. And the current Oluwo still lives there, still has actual authority. That’s not just ceremonial stuff either.
But here’s the thing – Owo isn’t stuck in the past. The economy is solid. Agriculture, yeah, but also modern stuff. Road improvements, including this dualization project that’s apparently changed everything for business. You will also find Achievers University and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic there. Plus, the Federal Medical Centre.
The mix of traditional authority and modern governance is working.
3. Largest Towns In Ondo State: Akoko
Okay, this one’s complicated. Akoko isn’t really one town; it’s this whole region with four LGAs covering like 47 towns and villages. All in these rocky highlands up north. The geography is tough but beautiful.
What’s fascinating is the culture. Because of the rocky terrain and location, you get northern, eastern, and southern Yoruba communities all mixing together. Result? They don’t even have a distinct local dialect anymore. It’s like, universal Yoruba. That’s pretty unique.
Ikare Akoko is the biggest city in the region, with about 150,000 people. They’ve got an ICT center, which is more than some state capitals can say. The market scene is incredible, mixing old traditions with modern commerce.
The “Omoluka” value system thing caught my attention. Emphasizes integrity and uprightness. Sounds like PR speak, but locals swear by it. And given how peaceful the region is despite all the cultural mixing, maybe there’s something to it.
4. Okitipupa
The name means “red hill,” which tells you everything about the geography. Once called Ode-Idepe, but Okitipupa stuck. It’s the hub for southern Ondo State – six LGAs report through here.
A big change came when institutions like Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology(OAUSTECH) started up, completely transforming the place. Students, faculty, and businesses, the whole dynamic shifted. That’s what a university can do for a town.
The economic base is solid, though. Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Used to have a glass factory too. Oil palm and rubber plantations are everywhere. The landscape’s pretty spectacular.
Infrastructure’s been improving. New roads, a modern market rebuilt in 2009. It’s becoming a proper economic center, not just a government outpost.
5. Ikare
This place has had electricity since 1956. Let that sink in. Most of rural Nigeria still struggles with power, but Ikare’s had it for almost 70 years. That early modernization shows.
The population is over 700,000 now. Located right at the intersection of roads from Owo, Okene, Kabba, and Ado-Ekiti. That’s not an accident; it’s a natural trading hub. The markets are legendary. Osele Market, Okore Market, Oja Owa, Jubilee Market. Each one serves different functions and communities.
Architecture has this Portuguese-Arabic influence that’s pretty striking. And the educational institutions are solid: Agolo High School, Mount Carmel Secondary School, and Federal Science and Technical College.
What impressed me most? The inter-ethnic relationships. Yeah, it’s mostly Yoruba, but you’ve got Igbo, Hausa, Fulani, and Ijaw all mixed in. And it works. People are welcoming to visitors, which honestly isn’t always the case in Nigeria.
6. Odigbo
Odigbo’s headquarters are in Ore, which is right on the Benin-Ondo expressway. That’s one of Nigeria’s busiest highways, so automatically, you’re talking major commercial significance.
Over 600,000 people now, coming from everywhere. That’s the thing about nodal points – they attract people. The ethnic mix is wild. You’ve got indigenous Yoruba (Odigbos, Ayesan, Araromi Obus) plus Furupagha-Ijaws making up the Ebijaw ward. That’s not normal for inland Nigeria.
Ore town specifically is this major commercial center because of the highway. Hotels, restaurants, and service providers all cater to travelers and truckers. It’s Nigeria’s version of an interstate rest stop, but way more developed.
The bitumen deposits are the real game-changer, though. Ondo State has significant deposits, and Odigbo is sitting on top of them. That’s potential major money if they can figure out extraction and processing.
7. Idanre
Twenty kilometers from Akure, sitting at the foot of these incredible hills that rise 3,000 feet up. UNESCO World Heritage site, which is a big deal. The old settlement on the hills was inhabited for 800 years before people moved down to the plains in 1923.
The population is about 129,000, mostly engaged in agriculture. And here’s the kicker: it’s Nigeria’s largest cocoa-producing area. The climate, soil, everything’s perfect for cocoa. That’s serious money.
But the tourism potential is insane. There’s this 660-step climb to the old site where you can see ancient palaces, shrines, and burial mounds. The “thunder water” (Omi Apaara) is this mysterious water source that’s got spiritual significance.
The geography’s incredible. Forest elephants! – in one of only five locations in southern Nigeria. Rare species like Perret’s toad. Breathtaking views, like, they’ve got natural beauty, cultural heritage, and agricultural productivity– all in one place. That’s winning the lottery three times.
8. Largest Towns In Ondo State: Ile-Oluji
264,000 people, and they’ve figured out how to turn agricultural resources into industrial products. That’s the holy grail for Nigerian development.
Premium Cocoa Products (Ile-Oluji) Limited is one of West Africa’s largest cocoa processing companies. They’re not just growing cocoa – they’re processing it into powder, cake, butter, and liquor. Selling to Nestle, Promasidor, Fan Milk, exporting to Spain and the Netherlands. That’s value addition, that’s economic development done right.
Federal Polytechnic is there too, plus vocational training centers. Education plus industry equals sustainable development. The formula works when it’s implemented.
Predominantly Christian population, which creates a peaceful community atmosphere. Religious stability plus economic opportunity equals growth. Simple but effective.
9. Ilaje
This is where it gets really interesting. The Ilaje people occupy the entire Atlantic shoreline of Ondo State. 180 kilometers of coastline, which gives Ondo State, Nigeria’s longest coastline. That’s a huge advantage.
277,034 people spread across 400+ towns and villages. The aquatic skills are legendary. These people built Aiyetoro, which during its peak had the highest per capita income in all of Africa because of early petroleum discoveries. All of Africa! Incredible, if you ask me.
It has mind-blowing resources: crude oil, glass sand, salt, tar sand, bitumen, quartz, and clay. Plus, fishing, agriculture, and timber. The natural environment is perfect for large-scale rice and salt production.
Igbokoda’s the headquarters, and it’s become an international trading center. Traders from Togo, Benin, Ghana, Cameroon, and Gabon all come here. The fishing terminal and boat-building industries are major economic drivers.
Their saying captures it: “Where the path of river currents flow through, there you will find the Ilaje.” They’ve mastered aquatic commerce and spread their influence across Nigeria’s coastal communities.
10. Irele
Irele, meaning ‘a good place’ or ‘place of prosperity’ in Yoruba. Sometimes the name of a place tells you everything. 473 square kilometers near the Edo State border, Irele is exactly what it sounds like.
It focuses on agriculture: cocoa, palm oil, cassava, among others. The landscape is gorgeous, lush green everywhere. But it maintained that rural character while still having modern amenities.
Strategic location near Edo State makes it a transit point for trade. That, plus agricultural productivity, plus a peaceful environment, equals quality of life. People are choosing to live here because it works.
conclusion
So here’s what I learned about Ondo State: it’s not just one thing. You’ve got ancient kingdoms and modern universities, coastal entrepreneurs and mountain farmers, industrial processing and traditional agriculture. Each town’s got its own personality and advantages. Economic development isn’t just happening in one place. Akure’s got the government and university, Owo’s got history and modern infrastructure, Okitipupa’s got the university transformation, Ile-Oluji’s got industrial processing, and Ilaje’s got the coastal advantage.
The agricultural foundation is solid across all these places with crops like cocoa, palm oil, cassava, yam, etc. But the smart communities are adding value-processing, education, tourism, and strategic location advantages. These communities work with what they’ve got, add value where they can, and maintain what makes them unique. Simple but effective.
Are you ready to explore Ondo’s largest towns?
