The town of Otu in Nigeria has a rich history and has experienced significant growth and change over the years. At the heart of Itesiwaju Local Government, Otu is a cosmopolitan town with a population that has grown from 128,652 in 2006 to 183,427 in 2018. The town has a strong agricultural heritage, with a predominantly farming community and a history of textile and brewing industries.

Otu is strategically located as a stop-over town between northern producers and southern consumers, making it a hub for economic activities. As the headquarters of Itesiwaju Local Government, the town is expected to experience further development and attention from the state government. Its proximity to the border with Benin Republic also positions it for potential growth.

The community of Otu is made up of ancient compounds with their own unique histories, and the town is a conglomeration of major and minor groups living harmoniously. The establishment of Otu and its continued growth are attributed to the shared providence of God and the determination of its leaders throughout history.

The people of Otu belong to the Yoruba ethnic group, which is one of the largest homogeneous groups in Africa with a population of around 40 million in Nigeria alone. They share the same language and cultural heritage, and are also present in Togo, the Republic of Benin, Brazil, Cuba, and other nations around the world. The Yoruba have a well-developed system of government and an unwritten constitution, which existed before the arrival of the Europeans. The Yoruba are known for their political and technological sophistication, possibly due to their culture.

There are two versions of the origin of the Yoruba people, but a generally agreeable version among academics states that the Yoruba migrated from the Middle East, possibly from Palestine, and settled in Ile Ife after a lengthy journey. Despite this migration, Ile-Ife already had a developed monarchical form of government with a high degree of cultural attainment. It is believed that Oduduwa, who led the Yoruba to Ile Ife, was able to subdue the existing system of government and take over the rulership of the people due to his sophistication and wisdom.

It is noted that all the towns and villages in the present-day Oke Ogun were either established by Alaafin’s sibling or a prince from Oyo, indicating that the people in the present site of Otu belong to the Oyo speaking dialect of Yoruba land. In summary, every Yoruba town and village were established through migration, wandering, and complete annexation at the end of wars.