Osogbo

Oshogbo is the capital city of Osun state found in the Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Oshogbo consists of two Local Government Areas which are the Oshogbo LGA and the Olorunda LGA. The city of Oshogbo is bordered by towns such as Ikirun, Ilesa, Ede and Iragbiyi while the Ataoja of Oshogbo pilots the traditional affairs of the city. Popular districts in Oshogbo include Ita Olokan, Aiyetoro, Alekuwodo, Dada Estate, Oke Oniti, Ogooluwa, Okefia, Fagbewesa, Kola Balogun, Odiolowo, and Ota Egun. Tertiary institutions in Oshogbo include the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osun state University, Fountain University, and the Living Spring College of Technology and Innovation.  

Oshogbo has an estimated population of 1,071,433 inhabitants with a vast majority of this being members of the Yoruba ethnic group. Islam and Christianity are the dominant religious affiliations in Oshogbo. The Osun-Osogbo festival is a popular festival held in Oshogbo while popular sites in the city include the Oshogbo school of Art, African Heritage gallery, Genesis Gallery, Nike Arts Gallery, Suzanne Wenger House, Ataoja Royal Palace, Jungle Communications Center, the Oshogbo grand Mosque and the sacred grove of the goddess of the Osun River which is a UNESCO World heritage site. Hospitals found in Osogbo include the Priket hospital, Asubairo hospital, Government hospital, Spring hope Specialist hospital, Jola-olu specialist hospital, Adebare specialist hospital, Ladoke Akintola University Teaching hospital,  Avon Healthcare specialist hospital, Akinpelu Optical Center, and Odufunke memorial hospital.

GEOGRAPHY

The total area of Oshogbo is measured at about 47 km squared and the city falls under the tropical savannah climate. The city has a humidity of 79 percent and has both the dry and rainy seasons.

The city is also home to the Osun river.

ECONOMY

Oshogbo city has a vibrant agricultural sector with crops such as Cotton, yam, cassava, and tobacco grown in appreciable quantities. Trade also flourishes in Osogbo with the town hosting several markets such as the Oja Oba, Aiyegbaju, Otaefun, Ayedaade, Anaye, Igbona, Sabo, Oluode, and Orisunmibare markets. 

Also, economic activities such as cloth weaving, textile dyeing and trade provide a substantial percentage of the city dwellers with sources of income.

HISTORY

Following the Fulani invasion and subsequent fall of the Oyo Empire in the 17th century, fugitives who fled the war settled in and formed Oshogbo. The city’s most important river which is the Osun river was discovered in the late 17th century during periods of severe drought by the town’s chief hunter known as Timehin after he was ordered by Oba Olarooye to find less drier settlements for the land’s dwellers.

Oshogbo has been the capital of Osun state since the state’s creation in 1991.