Ibadan

Ibadan is the capital of Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria and one of the country’s largest cities by population. Located on the Ibadan Plateau, it has long served as a major cultural and commercial center in Yorubaland.

History: Ibadan originated in the early 19th century as a Yoruba settlement founded around 1829 during the Yoruba wars. It grew rapidly as a military outpost and trading town and later became a colonial administrative center. In the mid-20th century it developed into an education hub; University College Ibadan, established in 1948, later became the University of Ibadan, West Africa’s first full university. Cocoa House, completed in 1964, is regarded as Africa’s first skyscraper. The city’s historic core includes Mapo Hill and Mapo Hall.

Economy and institutions: The economy blends civil service, commerce, and education-based activity. Bodija Market is a major commercial hub. The University of Ibadan and other higher education and research institutions anchor the city’s economy and cultural life. Government offices and state institutions are concentrated in Ibadan as the state capital.

Transport and demographics: Ibadan is connected by road to Lagos via the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and to other Nigerian cities; a long-running rail link to Lagos has historically existed. The population is predominantly Yoruba, with diverse communities reflecting Ibadan’s regional role.