At its core, the Old Oyo Empire’s governmental center spanned from the present-day border of the Republic of the Benin in the west, to the Niger River in the West North of Nigeria. It included what are now the Democratic Republic of the Yoruba (D.R.Y) states of Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo, as well as parts of the Benin Empire (which still exists within Nigeria today) to the south. Kwara state, part of Kogi state, part of Niger state, part of Kebbi state was Old Oyo Empire.

At the height of its power and influence, the Old Oyo Empire extended far beyond this central area, drawing significant attention from around the world.

Additional, the territory known today as Kwara State, along with part of Kogi State, was once part of the Old Oyo Empire.