Ojo, Lagos

Oral tradition holds that Ojo was founded by Esugbemi, his wife Erelu, and chief priest Osu who migrated from Ile-Ife to form a settlement named Ilufe. Esugbemi was a hunter who explored the swamp forests in the area which later became Ojo. During his expeditions, he became convinced that he ought to expand the settlement. Osu consulted the Oracle which affirmed his decision at Ikemo quarters in the present-day Olojo district.[3] The new town invited other Awori settlers from Iddo and Idumota who built Irewe Osolu, south of Otto-Awori.

The western (Oto-Awori) and northern (Iba and Igbo-elerin) parts of Ojo developed independently as a result of the settlement of later Awori migrants from Ile-Ife. The migrants first settled in Obadore in Iba before expanding towards the west and southwest. Oto-Awori was ruled by a baale until a King was first nominated. This nomination was opposed by the oracl, which led to the formation of Oto-Awori & Otto-Iddo.[4] Eventually, an Oba of Oto-Awori ascended the throne in the late 18th century to rule alongside the Olojo of Ojo.

Ojo local government was created in May 1989 under the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida as the president of Nigeria. The military governor of Lagos State then was Brigadier General Raji Rasaki. Before the creation of Ojo local government out of the old Badagry local government, the area was adjudged the most populous in the Federation according to the National Population Census conducted in Nigeria in 1991. According to the 2006 census, the population of the area was 609,173: 315,401 male and 293,772 female. 62.3 percent was 15-64 years old, 36.3 percent was 0-14 years old, and 1.4 percent was 65 and over.

Transportation is mainly by road. The Trans-West African Coastal Highway runs east-west through the town and divides it into North and South halves. Olojo Drive, Old Ojo Road, Kemberi Road, and Alaba Road are the main roads in the southern half of the town. In the northern half Chief Esan Way, Iyana-Ipaja Road, Igbo-elerin Road are major roads.

Ojo is a peninsula and ferry services and speed boats are available through Badagry Creek with jetties at Muwo, Shibiri, and off Olojo Drive. A rail line from Lagos through Ojo is under construction and there are high expectations that it will alleviate the perpetual traffic jams within the area.[5]

Ojo is known for the Olojo festival during which the Olojo wears the crown. Oro festivals are held at the death of the Olojo or a Baale. Oro has drawn controversy for some of the elements of the festival which according to some opinions is misogynistic.[6] Other festivals include Egungun, Obaluwaye, Sango, Ogun, Ota, and Osun which are named after deities or heroes which they celebrate. Iyemoja and Gelede and Alaalu are some other festivities which are celebrated in Otto-Awori district.