Ojo, Lagos

Ojo
LGA and town
Ojo shown within the State of Lagos
Ojo
Coordinates: 6°28′N 3°11′E / 6.467°N 3.183°E / 6.467; 3.183
Country Nigeria
StateLagos State
Founded byEsugbemi (from Awori subgroup of the Yoruba)
Government
  OlojoAdeniyi Rufai
  Local government ChairmanOlushola Rosulu Idowu
Area
H
  Total
70 sq mi (182 km2)
Population
 (2006 census)
  Total
609,173
  Estimate 
(2016)
838,900
  Density8,700/sq mi (3,300/km2)
Notable Places
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)

Ojo is a town and local government area in Lagos State, Nigeria, with a few notable locations such as Lagos State University and the Alaba International Market as well as others. Ojo is located on the eastern section of the Trans–West African Coastal Highway, about 37 km west of Lagos. It is a part of the Lagos Metropolitan Area.

Ojo is a primarily residential town, although it contains some major markets including Alaba International Market, Alaba Livestock Market (Alaba Rago), the old Lagos International Trade Fair complex, and Iyana-Iba Market. It also houses the divisional headquarters of the 81st Division of the Nigerian Army and Navy Town.

South of the town (across Badagry Creek), the rest of the local government area is more sparsely populated and consists of mangrove swamps and sandy beaches. Some of these beaches become holiday spots during the festive season. Wildlife mostly consists of reptiles, rodents and birds including crocodiles, iguanas, monitor lizards, and squirrels. Whales and dolphins have been known to visit the coastal areas near Ojo.