Ogun State

Ogun State is a state in southwestern Nigeria. Created in 1976, it borders Lagos State to the south, Oyo and Osun states to the north, Ondo State to the east and the Republic of Benin to the west. Abeokuta is the capital and largest city in the state.

History

The state's appellation is "Gateway State". It was created in February 1976 from the former Western State. The 2006 census recorded a total population of 3,751,140 residents.

Geography

Ogun State covers 16,762.5 square kilometres. It is bordered by Lagos State to the south, Oyo and Osun states to the north, Ondo State to the east and the Republic of Benin to the west.

Economy

Ogun State has a strong industrial base. It is home to several factories, including the largest brewery in Nigeria. Other industries include: food processing, cement production, and auto manufacturing.

Education

Ogun State has several educational institutions, including the University of Lagos, Covenant University, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Culture

The state is notable for having a high concentration of industrial estates and being a major manufacturing hub in Nigeria. Major factories in Ogun include: Dangote Cement, Lafarge Cement, Nestle, Guinness, and Unilever.

Notable people

Notable people from Ogun State include: Wole Soyinka, the first African Nobel Laureate in literature, and MKO Abiola, the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

See also

• List of Governors of Ogun State
• List of Nigerian states by population