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| BACKGROUND |
Owa Larooye (Laro) and Oguntimehin (Timehin) both co-founder came from Ipole the original homestead of the earliest settlers, around 1650 and 1700. Timehin was a great hunter. He had made several expeditions to the Osun forest during which he discovered Osun River whose water never dried throughout the year. The presence of Osun River and other physical feature of the area impressed Timehin. Back at Ipole (located some 12kilometres form Osun River and which had been experiencing acute water shortage) he informed Owa Larooye of his adventure, discovery and conviction that if they shifted their abode to the area, the problem of water shortage would resolved. After due consideration, Laro, Timehin and their people left Ipole to settle along Osun River.
Legend has it that when a tree fell into the historic River, a voice complained and pleaded, Oso Igbo-o, gbogbo Ikoko aro mi ni e ti fo tan, esun si oke ki e ba le maa gberu si”. Spirit of forest, you have broken all my dyeing pots, move upwards from here so that you may prosper” Laro and Timehin were said to have replied in fear “Osogbo pele o” which translates into “The spirit of the forest, sorry”. The two men believed the voice to be that of Osun goddess. From that day the settlers called their abode OSOIGBO which was perfected to Osogbo. The spot where Osun River is worshipped today was where Osogbo people first settled. Following the Osun goddess complaint and advice, the first settlers Oba larooye and Timehin and their people moved “upwards” as directed to where the first historic palace in Osogbo is now situated.
The present Osogbo Local Government was created on 10th May, 1989 out of the erstwhile Osogbo Local Government which consisted of the present Osogbo $ Olorunda Local Governments. The headquarter is at Oke-Baale Area, along Ibokun Road, Osogbo. It is made of Ajenisuwa, Irepodun, Amulewu, Adejumon, Omukoto, Alaba, Sapara, Araromi, Alajaloge, Awise, owode, Lasinmi, Fiwasaye, Iludun, Mubaraq Akogun, Ago Fulani, Tanisi, Amulegbaro, Oke-pupa. 
Osogbo Local Government shares boundaries with eight (8) other Local Governments in Osun State. In the North by Irepodun and Egbedore; Obokun and Boripe in the East; Atakunmosa West in the South; Ede in the West and Olorunda in the central. The land area of Osogbo local government is about 480 square kilometers. It is predominantly low land area with some rocky subterranean in certain areas like Oke Baale, Oke Ayepe, Oke Osun and Agunbelewo. The popular river Osun has its fountain at Isale osun in Osogbo and could be found at various locations in Osogbo. The vegetation is mainly savannah.
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Down the ages, the following Ataojas have reigned
Larooye Gbademole - 1660 1760
Sogbodede - 1760 1780
Aina Serebu - 1780 1810
Regency - 1810 1815
Lahanmi - 1815 1840
Ojo Oree (Son of Lahanmi and father of Latona) - 1840 1854
Matanmi 1 - 1854 1864
Fabode (Europeans first visited the town during his - 1864 1891
Bamigbola - 1891 1893
Oyetona (during whose reign the C.N.S. introduced
Christianity to Osogbo through John Mackey) 1870 1803
Olugbeja, Matanmi II (during his reign, automobile was
first driven to Osogbo. His reign witnessed the arrival of Lebanese traders from the Town. Roads were also constructed from Osogbo linking Ilesa and Ilobu. The first district officer was stationed at Osogbo.)
Latona - 1902 1917
Kolawole - 1918 1920
. Oyedokun, Latona II - 1944 1943
Adenle I - 1944 1975
Iyiola Oyewale, Matanmi III - 1976 till date
The unrecorded duration of reign of early kings is due to lack of authentic archival materials.
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