Oyo, Oyo State facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ọ̀yọ́ Jàbàtá Òyó Ọ̀yọ́ Àtìbà, Òyó Aláàfin
City
Ọ̀yọ́
Picture taken of calabash carving in Oyo, Oyo State, of present-day Nigeria
Motto(s):  Ajíse Bí'Ọ̀yọ̀ Làárí
Ọ̀yọ́ Location in Nigeria
Country	Nigeria
State	Oyo State
Area
• Total	2,427 km2 (937 sq mi)
Population  (2006)
• Total	428,798
• Density	176.68/km2 (457.59/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (WAT)
National language	Yorùbá

Oyo is a city in Oyo State, Nigeria. It was started in the 1830s as the new capital for what was left of the old Oyo Empire. People often call it 'New Oyo' (Ọ̀yọ́ Àtìbà) to tell it apart from the original capital, 'Old Oyo' (Ọ̀yọ́-Ilé). The old capital was left empty after some big wars. Most people living here are from the Yoruba people, and their leader is called the Alaafin of Oyo.

The Story of Oyo City

The Oyo Empire was very powerful in West Africa a long time ago. Because of this, the Oyo clan of the Yoruba people were seen as the main leaders. A historian named Samuel Johnson even wrote that the Egbas, who came from Oyo, used to decide a person's social rank by whether they could show their family came from Oyo.

Learning and Schools

Oyo is a great place for education. It has five important higher learning schools. These include the Federal College of Education (Special) and Ajayi Crowther University. You can also find Emmanuel Alayande University of Education and the Federal School of Surveying here. The Federal School of Surveying is the only one of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. Atiba University is also located in Oyo.

The city also has many public and private secondary schools. Some well-known ones are Oke-Olola Community Schools, Olivet Baptist High School, and School of Science. Other schools include Saint Benardine Girls Grammar School, Ladigbolu Grammar School, and Oranyan Grammar School. Emmanuel Alayande Model High School, Aatan Baptist Comprehensive High School, Shepherd's Field International College, Golden Valley Academy, Nesto College, and SPED International College are also in Oyo.

There are also many primary schools, both private and public, for younger students.

Shopping and Fun in Oyo

Oyo has several busy markets where people buy and sell goods. The main markets are the Akesan market, Ajegunle market, and the Owode market. You can also find the Saabo market, Oparinde (Oja-Oke) market, and Irepo market.

The city has branches of many different banks. These include GT Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Eco Bank, and United Bank for Africa. There are also smaller microfinance banks. For groceries and everyday items, you can visit stores like Ace Supermarket, Joba Pharmacy and Stores, Labake Stores, and Jara Supermarket.

Oyo is also home to fun places to visit. The Old Oyo National Park has a museum with old items from the ancient Oyo Empire and some animals. If you're looking for a place to stay, there are hotels like Labamba Hotel, Tees resort and bar, Begonia hotel, Adesh Hotel, Gold N Rock Hotel, and Galaxy Hotel.

How Oyo is Governed

The city of Oyo is divided into four local government areas (LGAs). These are Atiba LGA, Oyo East LGA, Oyo West LGA, and Afijio LGA. Each LGA has its own main office. Atiba LGA's office is at Offa-Meta, Oyo East's is at Kosobo, Oyo West's is at Ojongbodu, and Afijio's is at Jobele.

Oyo is easy to reach because it's located right on the dual carriage A1 expressway. This major road connects Lagos and Ibadan all the way to Ilorin.

Famous People from Oyo

See also

In Spanish: Oyo (ciudad) para niños