Ondo State At 50: A Golden Jubilee Of Heritage, Progress And Renewed Hope

By Olufemi Lawson

Ondo State, fondly celebrated as the Sunshine State, will clock 50 years on February 3rd, 2026, with a rich sense of history, pride in collective achievement, and renewed optimism for the future. Created on February 3, 1976, out of the old Western State during the military administration of General Murtala Mohammed, Ondo State was conceived as a home for a people renowned for industry, intellect, cultural depth and an unyielding commitment to progress. Fifty years on, the state stands tall as one of Nigeria’s most culturally endowed and human-capital-rich sub-national entities.

The creation of Ondo State marked a defining moment for its people, bringing governance closer to the grassroots and providing an opportunity for focused development. From its early days, the state leveraged its agricultural potential, vibrant civil service, strong traditional institutions and an educated population to lay the foundations for growth. Towns and communities across the state contributed to building a sense of shared identity anchored on hard work, integrity and communal values.

Over the last five decades, Ondo State has recorded notable milestones in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and human capital development. The state has consistently produced some of Nigeria’s finest professionals, academics, jurists, technocrats, artists, entrepreneurs and public servants, many of whom have distinguished themselves nationally and internationally.

Agriculture has remained a backbone of the state’s economy, with cocoa production placing Ondo State at the forefront nationally, while investments in education have sustained its reputation as a cradle of learning. Despite challenges common to developing societies, the resilience and enterprise of the Ondo State people have continued to drive progress.

The return to democratic governance in 1999 ushered in a new era of participatory development and institutional strengthening. Successive administrations, with varying philosophies and priorities, have contributed to shaping the modern Ondo State. Democracy expanded civic engagement, enhanced accountability, and enabled long-term planning in key sectors such as education, health, road infrastructure and social welfare.

This democratic journey has not been without challenges, but it has reinforced the people’s belief in dialogue, constitutionalism and collective responsibility as pathways to sustainable development.

The commemoration of Ondo State’s Golden Jubilee under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is deeply symbolic. It presents a historic opportunity to reflect on the past, assess the present, and chart a clear, people-centered path for the future.

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has articulated the OUR EASE Agenda, a development blueprint focused on Opportunity, Unity, Resilience, Economic growth, Security and Education. As Ondo State marks 50 years, this agenda represents a commitment to inclusive governance, economic revitalization, social stability and improved quality of life for citizens.

The Golden Jubilee is, therefore, not merely a celebration of age, but a reaffirmation of purpose, a moment to consolidate gains, correct gaps, and mobilize the collective energy of the people towards accelerated development.

At the heart of Ondo State’s success story are its people, those at home and in the diaspora. Ondo indigenes across the world continue to excel in diverse fields, projecting the state’s values of excellence, diligence and integrity. Their remittances, investments, advocacy and expertise remain invaluable to the state’s development journey.

This Golden Jubilee is a tribute to farmers, teachers, artisans, traders, professionals, traditional rulers, youths and women whose daily contributions sustain the state’s progress.

As Ondo State looks beyond 50 years, the road ahead demands unity, shared sacrifice and unwavering support for purposeful leadership. Now more than ever, citizens must rally around the incumbent administration to actualize the OUR EASE Agenda and unlock its expected gains, economic diversification, job creation, improved infrastructure, enhanced security and human capital development.

The next chapter of Ondo State’s story must be written with collective resolve, civic responsibility and a renewed social contract between government and the governed.

Ondo State at 50 is a celebration of heritage, resilience and hope. It is a moment to honor the past, appreciate the present, and boldly embrace the future. With visionary leadership, an engaged citizenry and sustained unity of purpose, the Sunshine State is well-positioned to shine even brighter in the decades ahead.

Happy Golden Jubilee, Ondo State!

Comrade Olufemi Lawson is the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Ondo State, on Public Enlightenment. He sent in this piece from Akure.