Owo is a Yoruba kingdom of Ondo State, and its ruler is the Olowo of Owo.
- Type
- Kingdom
- Still exists
- Yes
Owo is a Yoruba kingdom of Ondo State, and its ruler is the Olowo of Owo. According to Wikipedia, the first Olowo, Ojugbelu Arere, was by tradition a descendant of Oduduwa, and between 1400 and 1600 Owo was the capital of a Yoruba city-state that kept virtual independence from Benin while exchanging courtly arts with it. The Olowo is chosen by kingmakers, and the Iloro chiefs play a central part in his installation. Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III was crowned on 14 December 2019 (Wikipedia); in July 2026 ThisDay described him as the 32nd paramount ruler of the kingdom and the chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas. Each September Owo holds the Igogo festival in honour of Queen Oronsen, when the Olowo and his high chiefs dress as women (Wikipedia).
- Olowo of Owo
- Olowo of Owo — Wikipedia · link
- Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III — Wikipedia · link
- A Diamond Reign: Oba Ajibade Ogunoye at 60 — ThisDay, 2026-07-19 · link
- Igogo festival — Wikipedia · link
How evidence is graded
- Verified: Supported by an official source, or by two or more independent sources that agree.
- Well documented: Supported by credible sources, but not yet independently confirmed.
- Reported: Found in a credible source; further corroboration is welcome.
- Needs corroboration: The evidence is thin or incomplete; more sources are being sought.
- Disputed: Credible sources or community accounts disagree; the differing accounts are noted.
- Uncertain: There is not yet enough information to classify this responsibly.
Sources are marked official, academic, reference, community or general web. Sources that copy each other count as one. Oral traditions are recorded as traditions, not as proven fact.
Archive ID: POL-OWO-KINGDOM · Last updated 7 October 2026.
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