Ogun State

Ogun State is a state in southwestern Nigeria. It is bordered to the south by Lagos State and the Bight of Benin, to the east by Ondo State, and to the north by Oyo and Osun states while its western border forms part of the national border with the Republic of Benin. The capital and largest city is Abeokuta, and the state is divided into 20 local government areas.

Of the 36 states, Ogun is the 24th largest in area but among the top fifteen most populous, with an estimated population of about 6.4 million as of 2020. Geographically, the state lies primarily in the tropical Nigerian lowland forests ecoregion, although parts of the state's north transition into the Guinean forest–savanna mosaic and some of the coastal south reach the Central African mangrove ecoregion. The Ogun and Yewa rivers are the state’s major waterways while the Omo Forest Reserve in the southeastern part of the state is one of the most important conservation areas in the country — home to a variety of bird species along with some of Nigeria's last remaining Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee and African forest elephant populations.

Demographically, the Yoruba people are the largest ethnic group in the state — particularly the Awori, Egba, Ijebu, and Yewa subgroups. Additionally, there are ethnic minorities of non-indigene groups in urban areas and indigenous Egun people along the border with Benin. In terms of religion, the majority of the state's population are Christian with a significant Muslim minority.

Historically, parts of modern Ogun State were included in several kingdoms, including the Benin, Ijebu, and Oyo states. In the late nineteenth century, British expeditions took control of the area and Abeokuta became a major center of missionary activity and education. During the early colonial period, the area was part of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate, which later merged into colonial Nigeria. After independence in 1960, the region was part of the Western Region until the creation of Ogun State in 1976 from the old Western State.

Economically, Ogun State is a major industrial hub with a growing base of factories and companies, especially along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway corridor. Agriculture remains vital in rural areas, with key crops including cassava, cocoa, and maize along with the indigenous Ofada rice. The state is also known for its cultural heritage, crafts, and textile traditions along with the arts. Ogun ranks in the mid-range in Human Development Index and has the eighth highest GDP in the country.