Idowa, a moderate sized town of about 5000 inhabitants. and 6 kilometers south of Ijebu- Ode was founded in 1540 by Oba Alalyeluwa Owa Otutubiosun, the 13th Awujale of Ijebuland.

Oba Owa Otutubiosun became the first Dagburewe of Idowa. Because of this historical coincidence Idowa, in spite of its small population, has had (and enjoys) a prominent place and position in Ijebu Province and history. its sons and daughters pride their appellations - "Omo Olowo Joye meji, Oje Awujale otunje Dagburewe child of rich parents with Chieftaincies. First he reigned as Awujale and later he also reigned as Dagburewe). As a matter of historical fact, Oba Jadiara, the 9th Dagburewe (1630-1660) was called back to Ijebu-Ode and became the 25th Awujale. Oral History has if that before Oba Jadiara accepted the choice of Ijebu- Ode, kingmakers and people, he commanded his wives, children, slaves and members of the royal household to prepared to return with him to Ijebu- Ode to line up (hands to shoulders) from the palace in Idowa and only if the queue reached the palace in Ijebu-Ode would he accept the Awujale throne!, The queue reached the palace in Ijebu-Ode and Oba Jadiara reversed Oba Owa Otutubiosun's journey of 1540,returned to Ijebu-Ode and became the 25 Awujale.

There he reigned again for ten more years before joining his ancestors. Idowa was for a long time, the headquarters of Idowa District of West Central District of Ijebu Province which then extended as far as lkorodu Area in the south; and Ejirin in colony Aiyepe in the West and up to Ago District farms in the north. Ijebu-Ode Villages of Agora and Atiba and to River Owa in the East. Idowa was the seat of the SubNative Authority and the Dagburewe of Idowa was the Head Oba in the District.

The Dagburewe also sat on the Bench at Court "OBAMARUN" in Ijebu- Ode. All was physically changed by the recommendations of Intelligence Report of 1937.Most of the towns and units in Idowa District were granted administrative autonomy in particular Odogbolu, Okun Aiyepe, Ososa, lbefun and Omu and ceased being part of Idowa District.

The details of the partitioning of Idowa District were finally sorted out with Oba Dagburewe, Samuel Adebonojo, Agbejoye II, during two visits to Idowa by Resident F.M.H. White and Oba Awujale D. Adesanya, Gbelegbuwa II (on 19th June 1939) and Resident G.G. Shute and Awujale Gbelegbuwa II (on August 19,1941).