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Explore Ondo
A historic Yoruba town in south-western Nigeria. Learn where Ondo comes from, then discover the places that make it special.
Our story
A brief history of Ondo town
Ondo is an old Yoruba town in Ondo State, south-western Nigeria. Today it is the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area and one of the best known towns in the state.
According to oral tradition, the Ondo Kingdom has its roots in Ile-Ife, the ancestral home of the Yoruba. The first ruler is remembered as a woman named Pupupu, and her successors carry the royal title of Osemawe. The Osemawe is still the traditional ruler of the town and the keeper of its customs.
The people of Ondo speak their own dialect of Yoruba. Through the years the town grew into a centre of farming and trade, with cocoa, yam and kola nut among the crops that fed its markets.
In modern times Ondo has become a town of learning as well as trade. Schools and the Adeyemi Federal University of Education bring students from across Nigeria, while festivals and the royal palace keep the old traditions alive.
Place 1
Osemawe Palace
The palace of the Osemawe of Ondo, the traditional ruler of the Ondo Kingdom. It is the cultural heart of the town and the centre of its royal tradition and festivals.
Address: Palace area, Ondo town, Ondo West, Ondo State
Place 2
Adeyemi Federal University of Education
A federal institution in Ondo town that trains teachers and other professionals. It brings students from all over Nigeria to the town.
Address: Ondo town, Ondo West, Ondo State
Place 3
Ondo Town Central Market
The busy trading centre of Ondo where farmers and traders sell food items, cloth and household goods. A good place to meet people and taste local food.
Address: Central area, Ondo town, Ondo West, Ondo State