Lakota Department was created in 1980 as a split-off from Divo Department.[3] In 1997, regions were introduced as new first-level subdivisions of Ivory Coast; as a result, all departments were converted into second-level subdivisions. Lakota Department was included in the Sud-Bandama Region.
In 2011, districts were introduced as new first-level subdivisions of Ivory Coast. At the same time, regions were reorganised and became second-level subdivisions and all departments were converted into third-level subdivisions. At this time, Lakota Department became part of Lôh-Djiboua Region in the Gôh-Djiboua District.