NigeriaPolls · South-West
Ondo State
The Sunshine State — Nigeria's cocoa capital. Population ~4.5 million. Capital: Akure. Home to the world's largest bitumen deposit.
Sentiment Tracker
Ondo State Sentiment Scorecard
Real-time public sentiment indicators based on representative sampling across all 18 LGAs. Scores reflect percentage of respondents expressing positive or satisfied sentiment.
Source label: NigeriaPolls state sentiment tracker, last reviewed 17 August 2026. Treat these figures as public-opinion snapshots, not official government statistics or election predictions. For a citable claim, include the state page URL, publication or review date, geography, response basis where shown, and whether the passage is poll data, research-desk analysis, or public-record context.
Governance Approval
Security Perception
Economic Confidence
Youth Hope Index
Healthcare Access
Education Quality
Data sourced from NigeriaPolls field surveys conducted April–June 2026. Sample sizes range from 1,200 to 1,900 respondents per wave. Methodology available at /methodology.
Latest Polls
Latest Polls from Ondo
Recent surveys capturing voter opinion on governance, upcoming elections, and policy priorities in Ondo State.
Citation note: quote the individual poll title, date, response count or sample size, publisher/source label, and state geography when using these findings. If a result card summarizes a broader survey, cite the full poll page or dataset rather than this state overview alone.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa Approval Rating — Q2 2026
46% approval, 34% disapprove, 20% undecided
Ondo 2027 Gubernatorial Preference Poll
APC leads with 41%, PDP 33%, LP 16%, undecided 10%
Bitumen Exploration & Agricultural Economy Survey
68% support bitumen development; cocoa farmers report 52% income satisfaction
Political Leadership
Key Political Figures
Current elected officials representing Ondo State at the executive and legislative levels.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa
APC · Since December 2023
Approval Rating
46%
Senators (10th Assembly)
Jimoh Ibrahim
Ondo South
APCJide Ipinsagba
Ondo North
APCAdeniyi Adegbonmire
Ondo Central
APCDemographics
State Profile
About Ondo
Ondo State was created on February 3, 1976, from the former Western State. Located in the South-West geopolitical zone, it is bordered by Ekiti and Kogi States to the north, Edo State to the east, Ogun and Ogun States to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The state covers approximately 15,500 square kilometers and is home to over 4.5 million people, predominantly of Yoruba extraction.
The state's economy is built on agriculture — particularly cocoa, which makes Ondo Nigeria's top cocoa producer — and increasingly on bitumen exploration. The state is home to the largest known bitumen deposit in Africa, estimated at 42 billion barrels, though commercial extraction has remained elusive for decades. The Ilaje coastal area produces oil, making Ondo the only South-West state with petroleum derivation revenue. Politically, Ondo has been competitive, with both the PDP and APC (and predecessor parties) holding power. The state is also culturally significant as the homeland of several Yoruba subgroups and hosts the annual Owo Festival and other traditional celebrations.
News & Analysis
Analysis & Commentary
In-depth analysis of political developments, policy decisions, and electoral dynamics in Ondo State.
Post-Rotimi Akeredolu: Can Aiyedatiwa Unite Ondo APC?
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa inherited office following the death of Rotimi Akeredolu in December 2023. Our analysis examines his efforts to consolidate power within a fragmented APC and the implications for the 2027 governorship race.
Ondo Bitumen: The World's Longest Unexploited Deposit
Ondo State sits on one of the world's largest commercially viable bitumen deposits, estimated at 42 billion barrels. We explore why decades of extraction promises have failed and what voters think about the latest development bids.
Ilaje Coastal Communities and Environmental Politics
The oil-producing Ilaje communities in Ondo's southern belt have long agitated for environmental remediation and derivation benefits. Our poll captures sentiment in Nigeria's only South-West oil-producing region.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ondo State politics, governance, and polling data.
Who is the current governor of Ondo State?
Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the current governor of Ondo State. He became governor on December 27, 2023, following the death of his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu, under whom he served as deputy governor.
What is Ondo State known for?
Ondo is known as "The Sunshine State" and is Nigeria's leading cocoa producer, accounting for approximately 30% of national output. The state is also notable for having the world's longest commercially viable bitumen deposit. Its coastal Ilaje area is the only oil-producing region in Nigeria's South-West.
How many local government areas are in Ondo?
Ondo State has 18 local government areas (LGAs), divided into three senatorial districts: Ondo North, Ondo Central, and Ondo South.
What is Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's current approval rating?
According to NigeriaPolls' June 2026 survey, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa holds a 46% approval rating among registered voters in Ondo State, with 34% disapproving and 20% undecided. His ratings reflect the challenge of stepping into office mid-term.
Which party has historically dominated Ondo politics?
Ondo politics has been competitive between the PDP and APC (and its predecessor ACN). The Labour Party also won the 2012 governorship under Olusegun Mimiko. Since 2016, the APC has held the governorship under Rotimi Akeredolu and now Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
What are the major ethnic groups in Ondo?
The Yoruba people constitute the vast majority, with subgroups including the Akure, Owo, Okitipupa, Ikale, and Ilaje. The state also has a significant Edo-speaking minority in the Akoko area near the Edo State border.
Stay Updated on Ondo Politics
Get the latest polls, analysis, and breaking political news from Ondo State delivered to your inbox. No spam — just data-driven insights.
Join 12,000+ subscribers tracking Nigerian politics. Read our privacy policy.
Explore More
Related States
Discover polling data and political analysis for neighboring states in the South-West and surrounding regions.