Pre-1500 — Ancient settlement#
Akoko, Akure, Ondo, Owo, Ikale, Ilaje and Apoi Yoruba settle the south-eastern Yoruba forest belt, bordering Benin.
1500 — 1804 — Pre-colonial polities#
Owo under the Olowo is a Yoruba kingdom heavily inflected by Benin court culture (Owo bronzes and ivories combine Ife and Benin styles). Ondo Kingdom (Osemawe lineage, founded by Pupupu, the female founder ♀) emerges in the 16th century.
1804 — 1903 — The long 19th century#
Owo, Akure and Idoani are tributary to Benin until the Sack of Benin (1897). Ekiti–Akoko–Owo are caught in the Kiriji War (1877–93) — the longest Yoruba civil war — see Yoruba Civil Wars.
1900 — 1960 — Colonial provinces#
Ondo Province (1915) within Southern Nigeria, then Western Region.
1960 — present — State creation chain#
- 1967 — Western State.
- 3 Feb 1976 — Murtala creates Ondo State (capital Akure), including Ekiti.
- 1 Oct 1996 — Abacha hives off Ekiti State (capital Ado-Ekiti) from northern Ondo.