Osun State is an inland state in south-western Nigeria. Its capital is Osogbo. The state's current governor is Prince Olagunsoye Oyinl?la, who was elected in 2003. Osun State is home to several of Nigeria's most famous landmarks, including the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria's pre-eminent institution of higher learning. The university is also located in the ancient town of Ile-Ife, an important early center of political and religious development for Yoruba culture. Other important cities and towns include the ancient kingdom-capitals of Ňkč-Ělá Erŕngún, Ělá Erŕngún, Ede, and Ilesa.

Location

Osun State, known as the state of the living spring occupies a land mass of approximately 8,602 square kilometres carved out of the old Oyo State. The state is bounded on the west by Oyo State, Ondo and Ekiti States in the east, Kwara State in the north and Ogun State in the south.

History

Osun State was carved out of Oyo State on the 27th of August, 1991. The people of the state are Yorubas and they trace their origin to Oduduwa and the town of Ile-Ife. Osogbo is the capital of the state with a population of 2,203,016.

Agriculture

The people of the state are mostly farmers, producing such food crops as yam, maize, cassava, beans and cocoyam. The cash crops grown include tobacco and palm produce.

Mineral Resources

Mineral resources such as gold, clay, limestones and granite

Education

The state has also advanced in the field of education. There are numerous primary and post-primary institutions in the State. Trade schools, technical schools, teachers training colleges and other higher institutions such as University of Ife are also in the state. Transportation in the state is either by road or rail.

Tourism

The state has a rich cultural heritage which is shown in their music, art, dances, dresses and cultural festivals. They are well known for their talking drums and bata music.

They are also known for good works of art. Areas of tourist attraction include

• The famous Ife Bronze,
  
• The Oranmiyan Staff which is believed to be the fighting stick of Oranmiyan, the son of Oduduwa who was a great warrior and
  
• The popular Osun-Osogbo cultural festival.

People

Mainly Yorubas

Local Government Areas

Osun State, known as the state of the living spring occupies a land mass of approximately 8,602 square kilometres carved out of the old Oyo State. The state is bounded on the west by Oyo State, Ondo and Ekiti States in the east, Kwara State in the north and Ogun State in the south.

Links

Schools on The Web:
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Federal Goverment College, Ogbomosho

Contact

State Liason Office: Abuja: Plot 143, Bamako Street, Zone, 1 wuse, Abuja.
18A, Cooper Road,
Ikoyi, Lagos.
Tel: 01-686794, 2694256