Many readers ask which Yoruba states in Nigeria there are. Six south-western states are Yoruba-majority: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti. Yoruba communities also live in parts of Kwara and Kogi states. This guide lists each state, its capital and the Yoruba history behind it.
The Six Yoruba-Majority States
- Lagos State: capital Ikeja. The home of Lagos (Eko), Nigeria’s largest city. See the history of Lagos.
- Ogun State: capital Abeokuta. Home of the Egba and the Ijebu; see Ojude Oba in Ijebu-Ode.
- Oyo State: capital Ibadan. Site of the old Oyo Empire and the large city of Ibadan.
- Osun State: capital Osogbo. Home of Ile-Ife and the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
- Ondo State: capital Akure. Includes the Ondo, Akure and Owo kingdoms.
- Ekiti State: capital Ado-Ekiti. A hill-country region of many small kingdoms.
Other Places With Yoruba Communities
Yoruba people also live in parts of Kwara State (capital Ilorin) and Kogi State, and across the border in Benin and Togo. There are also large diaspora communities; read the Yoruba diaspora.
Yoruba Subgroups by Region
Each state includes several Yoruba subgroups with their own dialects, such as the Oyo, Egba, Ijebu, Ijesha and Ekiti. See Yoruba subgroups and Yoruba kingdoms and city-states. For rulers, see Yoruba kings and Obas.
More to Explore
Read Yoruba tribe facts and the history of the Yoruba wars. For the geography of Nigeria’s states, see Wikipedia’s list of Nigerian states.
Yoruba States FAQs
How many Yoruba states are there in Nigeria?
Six states are Yoruba-majority: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti.
What is the capital of Oyo State?
Ibadan is the capital of Oyo State.
Are Kwara and Kogi Yoruba states?
They are not Yoruba-majority states, but both have Yoruba-speaking communities.
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