Map - Ojo, Nigeria (Ojo)

Ojo is a Local Government Area and town in Lagos State, Nigeria. Lagos State University is located there. Ojo is located on the eastern section of the Trans–West African Coastal Highway, about 37 km west of Lagos. It is part of the Lagos Metropolitan Area. Ojo is a primarily residential township although it contains some major markets including Alaba International Market, Alaba livestock market (Alaba Rago), the old Lagos International Trade Fair complex, and Iyana-Iba market. It also houses the divisional headquarters of 81 division Nigerian Army and Navy Town. South of the town (across Badagry creek), the rest of the local government is sparsely populated and consists of mangrove swamps and sandy beaches. Some of these beaches are holiday spots in the festive season. Wildlife mostly consists of reptiles, rodents and birds including crocodiles, iguanas, monitor lizards and squirrels. Whales and dolphins have been known to visit the coastal areas.Some towns there are Iba, Igando, Okokomaiko, e.t.c.

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 present-day Olojo district. 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 was opposed by the oracle. This led to the formation of Oto-Awori & Otto-Iddo. Eventually, an Oba of Oto-Awori ascended the throne in the late 18th century to rule alongside the Olojo of Ojo.