Osun

Osun State exists because the Yoruba genesis required governance. Ile-Ife, located in Osun, is where Olodumare started creation according to Yoruba tradition - the birthplace of civilization, origin of the Yoruba people, home of the revered Ooni of Ife. The state takes its name from the River Osun, manifestation of the goddess of fertility and love. Created from Oyo State in 1991 after four decades of agitation (starting 1950), Osun achieved the autonomy its traditional rulers and citizens demanded from the British colonial administration. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, draws devotees from Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad, and African diaspora nations for the annual August festival. Osogbo's shrines and sculptures reflect Yoruba spirituality and artistic expression. Agriculture drives the economy - cocoa, kola nut, yams, cassava - with gold deposits adding mineral potential. The state has only 4% extreme poverty (versus 31% national average), ranking among Nigeria's more developed. The Ooni of Ife and other traditional rulers maintain cultural authority that predates all Nigerian governments. By 2026, diaspora tourism and gold mining will expand while cocoa exports stabilize.