about the Local Government

A BRIEF OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government (also known as The Local Government of Distinction) is one of the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. It came into existence on May 19, 1989, following the merging of Ota, part of the defunct Ifo/Ota Local Government with Ado-Odo/Igbesa Areas of the Yewa South Local Government. Ado-Odo/Ota borders on metropolitan Lagos. The Local Government Area is the second largest in Ogun State and it is headquartered at Ota (or Otta) at6°41′00″N 3°41′00″E to the north of the Area. Other towns and cities include Ado-Odo, Agbara, Igbesa, Iju-Ota, Itele, Kooko Ebiye Town, Owode, Sango Ota etc.

Ado-Odo/Ota is a veritable industrial Local Government. It has the largest industrial area and the highest number of industries in the state. Therefore, the Local Government generates the highest IGR for Ogun state.

It has an area of 878 km² and a population of 526,565 according to the 2006 census. Being primarily agrarian in nature, the Local Government Area produces cash and food crops especially cocoa, kola nut, palm oil, coffee, cassava, timber, maize, and vegetables. Mineral resources include kaolin, silica sand, gypsum, and glass sand.

The Local Government is populated mainly by the Awori people, a subset of the Yorubas and the original inhabitants of the area. However, other ethnic groups like Egbas, Eguns, and Yewas (Egbados) also live here.  The Local Government is blessed with highly reputable Obas, Chiefs and Baales namely: Olota of Ota, Olofin of Ado-Odo, Oloja Ekun of Igbesa, Onilogbo of Ilogbo, Alagbara of Agbara, Amiro of Ilamiro, Onikooko of Kooko Ebiye, Onikogbo of Ikogbo, Onitekun of Itekun, Onigun of Odan Abuja Olodan of Odan Abuja Sule,and Onitigbo of Tigbo Ilu, among others. 

There are 16 political wards in the Local Government Area, namely

Ota 1
Ota 2
Ota 3
Sango
Ijoko
Atan
Iju
Ilogbo
Ado Odo 1
Ado Odo 2
Ere
Alapoti
Igbesa
Agbara 1
Agbara 2
Ketu

The indigenous dwellers of the Local Government are mainly the Aworis. Nonetheless, considering its location as a  border Local Government, International trade has found its root in the area with people of various extractions engaging in various forms of trading activities.

It must also be stated that the hospitality of the people has also attracted people from other ethnic tribes in Nigeria as well as from neighbouring West African States to the area.

CULTURE AND TRADITION

The culture and tradition of the Local Govenment Area cannot be separated from those of the indigenous dwellers, the Aworis. Some of the festivals embraced by the people are Egungun, Oro, Gelede and Igunuko festivals.

The custodians of culture and tradition in the area are the traditional rulers.