Ogun State, located in the southwestern region of Nigeria, was established on February 3, 1976, carved out of the former Western State. It shares its borders with Lagos State to the south, Oyo State and Osun State to the north, Ondo State to the east, and the Republic of Benin to the west. The capital and most populous city of Ogun State is Abeokuta. Other significant cities in the state include Ijebu Ode, the royal capital of the Ijebu Kingdom, and Sagamu, known as Nigeria's leading kola nut producer. Ogun State is characterized by lush rainforests and woodland savannas in the northwest. As of 2006, it had a population of 3,751,140 residents, ranking it as the 16th most populous state in Nigeria. In terms of land area, Ogun State is the 24th largest state in Nigeria, covering 16,762 square kilometers.

This state is often referred to as the "Gateway to Nigeria" due to its strategic location and is recognized for its high concentration of industrial estates, making it a significant manufacturing hub in Nigeria. Prominent factories in Ogun State include the Dangote Cement factory in Ibese, Nestle, Lafarge Cement factory in Ewekoro, Memmcol in Orimerunmu, Coleman Cables in Sagamu and Arepo, Procter & Gamble in Agbara, among others.

The population of Ogun State is predominantly Yoruba, with the Yoruba language serving as the common language of the state. The primary religions practiced in Ogun State are Islam and Christianity, although some traditional religious practices are still observed. Ogun State is renowned for being a major center for Ofada rice production. It is also home to many prominent figures in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.