Oba of Lagos

Ceremonial sovereign of Lagos, Nigeria

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)

This article's factual accuracy is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help to ensure that disputed statements are reliably sourced. (June 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Some of this article's listed sources may not be reliable. Please help improve this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. Unreliable citations may be challenged and removed. (June 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

(Learn how and when to remove this message)

Oba of Lagos

Incumbent
Rilwan Akiolu
(since 24 May 2003)
Details
Style| His Majesty
First monarch| Ado
Formation| 1716
Residence| Iga Idunganran
Part of a series on

Yorùbá people

* Art
* Architecture
* Culture
* History
* Language
* Music
* Mythology

Subgroups

* Ana (Ifɛ̀)
* Kétu
* Ànàgó-Kúrá
* Ṣábẹ̀ẹ́
* Àkókó
* Àwórì
* Ẹ̀gbá
* Èkìtì
* Ìbàràpá
* Ìbọ̀lọ́
* Ìdàáṣà (Ìdàáshà)
* Ìgbómìnà
* Ifẹ̀
* Ìjẹ̀bú
* Ìjẹ̀ṣà
* Ìkálẹ̀
* Ìlàjẹ
* Ìshà (Ìṣà)
* Mọkọ́lé
* Ọ̀họ̀rí (Ìjẹ)
* Okun
* Òǹkò (Òkè-Ògùn)
* Ọ̀ghọ̀
* Ọ̀wọ́rọ̀
* Òwu
* Ọ̀yọ́
* Rẹ́mọ
* Ùdoko (Oǹdó)
* Usẹn
* Yéwa (Ẹ̀gbádò)

* * *

Related Yoruboid-speaking groups

* Ìtsẹkírì (Ìwẹ́rẹ́)
* Olùkùmi
* Ígálà

Diaspora

* Okus
* Bahians
* Saros
* Taboms, Agudas & Amaros
* Afro-Cubans / Lucumis
* United States
* Afro-Dominicans
* Afro-Haitians
* Canada
* Ivory Coast
* Britain
* Ireland

Cultural concepts

* Omọlúàbí
* Aṣọẹbí
* Èsúsú
* Agbo ilé
* Alájọbí

Religion

Supreme deity

Olorun
Olodumare

* * *

Divination

Ifá
Opon Ifá
Opele
Odù Ifá
Agere Ifa
Awo & Ogberi

* * *

Orisha, Imọlẹ̀, Ẹbọra

Ọbàtálá
Ọ̀sanyìn
Ẹlẹ́gbà
Yemọja
Olókun
Ṣàngó
Ọyá
Ògún
Ọbalúayé
Ọ̀ṣun
Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì
Ọ̀rúnmìlà
Aganjú
Òṣùmàrè
...

* * *

Legendary creatures

Ẹbọra
Egbere
Iwin
Akudaaya
Abiku & Emere
Oro
...

* * *

Religious concepts

Àṣẹ
Ìwà
Orí
Ìmùlẹ̀
Àkámarà
Ìtàn
Ẹbọ & Ètùtù

Politics / History

Timeline

* History of the Yoruba people

* * *

Palaces

* Àwọ̀fin, Ààfin, Àọ̀fin, Àghọ̀fẹn

* * *

Rulers (Oba)

* Ọma-Jagun
* Eléko
* Ìchà
* Ọọ̀ni
* Alárá
* Alákétu
* Òṣemàwé
* Aláàfin
* Àkárìgbò
* Oníṣabẹ
* Ọlọ́ghọ̀
* Awùjalẹ̀
* Aláké
* Òràngún
* Dééjì
* Ọwá
* Ọlọ́fà
* ...

* * *

Titles (Oyè)

* Olorì
* Òjoyè
* Baálẹ̀
* Ọmọba
* Ọlọ́jà
* Ọwá
* Ìyálóde
* Olú-awo
* Olótu
* Ọ̀dọ̀fin

* * *

Nobility (Ògbóni)

* Ògbóni
* Ìwàrẹ/Ẹ̀ghàrẹ
* Ọ̀yọ́mèsì
* Ẹdan
* Ilédì

* * *

Military and commerce

* Kakaǹfò
* Ẹ̀ṣọ́
* Parakòyí / Bàbálájé
* Olórogun
* Olúkọ̀tún
* Olúkòsì
* Ìyálọ́jà
* Balógun
* Ajagunnà
* Aṣípa
* Baṣọ̀run

Geography

* Yorubaland

Festivals / events

West Africa

* Ọ̀ṣun-Òṣogbo
* Ọlọ́jọ́
* Ìgògò
* Ẹ̀yọ̀ Festival
* Badagry Festival
* Orosun
* Ọdún Ògún
* Ojúde Ọba
* Orò
* Aké Arts & Book Festival
* World Sango Festival
* Odun Egungun
* Líṣàbí
* Ọdún Olókun
* Yorùbá Drum Festival
* New Yam- Ọdún Ìjẹṣu

* * *

Diaspora

* Odunde Festival
* Yoruba Arts Festival
* Yemoja Festival (Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad, USA, Venezuela, Argentina)

Performing arts

Contemporary

* Apala
* Fuji
* Were
* Yoruba Highlife
* Waka
* Jùjú
* Afrobeat
* Afrobeats
* Sakara

* * *

Folk / Traditional

* Bolojo
* Obitun
* Bírípo
* Bata
* Olele
* Ijala
* Gẹ̀lẹ̀dẹ́
* Ekun Iyawo/Rara
* Dadakuada
* Oriki
* Esa
* Alamo
* Ogede
* Gbedu
* Iremoje
* Ewì

Notable personalities

* List of Yoruba people

* v
* t
* e

The Oba of Lagos, also known as the Eleko of Eko, is the traditional ruler (Oba) of Lagos.

The Oba is a ceremonial Yoruba sovereign with no political power, but is sought as a counsel or sponsor by politicians who seek support from the residents of Lagos, the financial heart of Nigeria and the largest city in Africa. The Oba has appeared in tourism advertisements on behalf of the city, often stating "You've gotta go to Lagos", among various other ceremonial roles.

The current Oba of Lagos is Rilwan Akiolu, who has held the title since 2003.

## History

[edit]

All Obas of Lagos trace their lineage to Ashipa - an Awori,[1] a war captain of the Oba of Benin. Ashipa was rewarded with the title of the Oloriogun[2] (War leader) and he received the Oba of Benin's sanction to govern Lagos on his behalf.[3][4] Ashipa received a sword and royal drum as symbols of his authority from the Oba of Benin on his mission to Lagos. Additionally, the Oba of Benin deployed a group of Benin officers charged with preserving Benin's interests in Lagos. These officers, led by Eletu Odibo, were the initial members of the Akarigbere class of Lagos White Cap Chiefs.[2] Prior to the arrival of the British, the Oba of Benin had "the undisputed right to crown or confirm the individual whom the people of Lagos elect[ed] to be their King".[5]

Tributes continue to flow the way of Benin from Lagos island for many years until around the year 1830 when Lagos stopped it. By this time, the status of Lagos as an independent power in its own right had risen tremendously and it had become too strong to be attacked. The King of Benin therefore had to be content with occasional gifts which were no longer given as obligatory tribute, but rather, as an act of historical sentiment.[6]

The defeat of Oba Kosoko by British forces on 28 December 1851, in what is now known as the Bombardment of Lagos or Reduction of Lagos, or locally as Ogun Ahoyaya or Ogun Agidingbi (literally meaning "boiling cannons"), eventually put an end to all forms of tributary (sentimential or official) and Lagos' former allegiance to the Oba of Benin.[7]

Kosoko was therefore the last Lagos Oba to engage in any form of sentimental gifting from the people of Lagos to the Oba of Benin. Oba Akitoye, who was re-installed to the throne by the British, "seized the opportunity of his restoration under British protection to repudiate his former allegiance" to Benin and rebuffed subsequent tribute requests from the Oba of Benin.[8][9][10]

Previous rulers of Lagos have used the titles of Ologun (derived from Oloriogun), Eleko and, most recently, Oba of Lagos.[11]

## The Royal Seat

[edit]

The official residence of the king, since 1630, is Iga Idunganran, a castle renovated by the Portuguese over the course of close to a century.[12] It is today a very popular tourist site.

## List of Obas of Lagos

[edit]

### House of Ashipa - (Ashipa dynasty)

[edit]

Name| Lifespan| Reign start| Reign end| Notes| Family| Image

|
|
|
|
|
|

Ashipa| 1621-1636(?)| \
--| \
--| A local Awori chieftain from Isheri. Founder of Lagos dynasty of Kings, but not crowned as an Oba of Lagos[13][14]| House of Olofin|
Ado| | 1636| 1669| 1st Oba. The son of Ashipa[15][16]| House of Ashipa|
Gabaro| | 1669| 1704| 2nd Oba. The son of Ado.[17]| House of Ashipa|
Eletu Kekere

* Eletu Omo

| | 1704| 1704| 3rd Oba. The only son of Gabaro, nephew to Akinsemoyin. His reign was so brief that it is barely acknowledged by most historians and is sometimes omitted all together. Sources of him being actually crowned an Oba in Lagos are scanty. Not much is known of his reign other than him dying intestate (without an heir).[18]| House of Ashipa|
Akinsemoyin| | 1704| 1749| 4th Oba. Another son of Ado, a brother to Gabaro and uncle to Eletu Kekere.[19] Longest reigning Oba in Lagos to date (45 years). He created the Eletu Omo chieftaincy in the Akarigbere class in commemoration of his predecessor. His time marked the end of the Ashipa dynasty through the paternal line of descent.[20]| House of Ashipa|

### House of Alagbigba (Alaagba) - Ologunkutere dynasty

[edit]

Source:[21]

Name| Lifespan| Reign start| Reign end| Notes| Family| Image

|
|
|
|
|
|

Ologun Kutere

* Ologun Kuture

| d. 1775| 1749| 1775| 5th Oba. Son of the union between Erelu Kuti daughter of Ado and Alaagba, an Ijesha resident chieftain and priest of Obalufon in Lagos who also served as Babalawo to Oloye (chief) Aromire, and later Akinsemoyin. The Lagos royal dynasty shifts to a line of descent through the matrilineal pedigree of Erelu Kuti, and Omo Obalufon becomes a cognomen for all Lagos Obas and their descendants.[19][22]| Alaagba dynasty|
Adele Ajosun | d. 1837| 1775| 1780| 6th Oba. Second son of Ologun Kutere. First reign. He would return again and reign for a second time as the 10th Oba for two years. Throughout his first reign, he was constantly threatened by his brother Eshinlokun for the title of Oba which he felt should have been his. He fell out with the chiefs and was deposed in 1780. He then left for Badagry with his mother and the skull of his father, Ologun Kutere.| Alaagba dynasty|
Oṣinlokun

* Eshinlokun

| d.1819| 1780| 1819| 7th Oba. Son of Ologun Kutere and elder brother to Adele Ajosun.[19][22]| Alaagba dynasty|
Idewu Ojulari

* Idowu Ojulari

| d. 1832| 1819| 1832| 8th Oba. Son of Oshinlokun.[17]| Alaagba dynasty|
Adele Ajosun| d. 1834| 1832| 1834| 9th Oba. Return of Adele Ajosun who reigned first as the 6th Oba.[1]| Alaagba dynasty|
Oluwole| d. 1841| 1834| 1841| 10th Oba. The son of Adele.[17][22][23]| Alaagba dynasty|
Akitoye| d. 1853| 1841| 1845| 11th Oba, Son of Ologun kKutere. First reign. He would return again and reign for a second time as the 13th Oba.[17][23][24]| Alaagba dynasty|
Kosoko| d.1872| 1845| 1851| 12th Oba, a son of Osinlokun and brother to Idewu Ojulari.[17][19][24]| Alaagba dynasty|
Akitoye

* Akintoye

| | 1851| 1853| 13th Oba. Second reign. Return of Akintoye who would reign for a further two years.[17]| Alaagba dynasty|
Dosunmu

* Docemo

| 1823-1885
62 Years| 1853| 1885| 14th Oba, Son of Akintoye.[17][23]| Alaagba dynasty|
Oyekan I| 1854-1900
46 Years| 1885| 1900| 15th Oba, a son of Dosunmu.[17][23]| Alaagba dynasty|
Eshugbayi Eleko

* Eleko

| 1860-1932 72 Years| 1901| 1925| 16th Oba, a son of Dosunmu. First reign. He would return to reign as the 19th Oba.[17][23] He supported the educated elite of Lagos led by Prince Oluwa and Herbert Macaulay in their struggle against British colonialism. He was exiled to Oyo in 1925.| Alaagba dynasty|
Ibikunle Akitoye| d.1928| 1925| 1928| 17th Oba, a grandson of Oba Akintoye.[17][23] First christian Oba.| Alaagba dynasty|
Sanusi Olusi| | 1928| 1931| 18th Oba, a grandson of Oba Akintoye.[17][23]| Alaagba dynasty|
Eshugbayi Eleko| 1860-1932 72 Years| 1931| 1932| 19th Oba. Return of Eshugbayi Eleko who would go on to reign for one year .[17][23]| Alaagba dynasty|
Falolu Dosunmu| d.1949| 1932| 1949| 20th Oba[17][23]| Alaagba dynasty|
Adeniji Adele| 1893 - 1964
70 Years| 1949| 1964| 21st Oba. Grandson of Adele Ajosun[17][23]| Alaagba dynasty|
Oyekan II| 1911 - 2003
91 Years| 1965| 2003| 22nd Oba. Grandson of Oyekan I.[17][23]| Alaagba dynasty|
Rilwan Akiolu| 1943
Age 80| 2003| Incumbent| 23rd Oba.[17][23]| Alaagba dynasty|

## See also

[edit]

* Erelu Kuti
* Timeline of Lagos city

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Mann, Kristin (2007). Slavery and the Birth of an African City: Lagos, 1760-1900. Indiana University Press, 2007. p. 45. ISBN 9780253348845.
2. ^ a b Herskovits Kopytoff, Jean. A Preface to Modern Nigeria: The "Sierra Leoneans" in Yoruba, 1830 - 1890. University of Wisconsin Press. pp. 64–65.
3. ^ Folami, Takiu (1982). A History of Lagos, Nigeria: The Shaping of an African City. Exposition Press. p. 22\. ISBN 9780682497725.
4. ^ Smith, Robert (1 January 1979). The Lagos Consulate, 1851-1861. University of California Press, 1979. p. 4\. ISBN 9780520037465.
5. ^ Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons (1852). Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons. Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons, 1852. p. 97. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
6. ^ Burns, A. C. (1929). "History Of Nigeria (1929)". Archive.org. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
7. ^ Oloruntoba, C.I. (1992). Sociocultural Dimensions of Nigerian Pidgin Usage (Western NigerDelta of Nigeria. Indiana University. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
8. ^ Ryder, Alan Frederick Charles. Benin and the Europeans: 1485-1897. Front Cover Alan Frederick Charles Ryder Humanities Press, 1969 - Benin. pp. 241–242.
9. ^ Smith, Robert (1978). The Lagos Consulate, 1851-1861. Macmillan. pp. 6, 27, 90, 102. ISBN 0333240545.
10. ^ Ryder, Alan Frederick Charles. Benin and the Europeans: 1485-1897. Humanities Press, 1969 - Benin. pp. 241–242.
11. ^ Robert Sydney Smith (1988). Kingdoms of the Yoruba. Univ of Wisconsin Press 1969. ISBN 9780299116040. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
12. ^ Smith, Robert (January 1979). The Lagos Consulate, 1851-1861. University of California Press, 1979. p. 8. ISBN 9780520037465.
13. ^ Aimiuwu, O.E.I. (1969). Ashipa: the first Oba of Lagos. Nigeria Magazine, Issues 100-104, Government of Nigeria 1969. pp. 624–627\. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2017. `{{cite book}}`: `|work=` ignored (help)
14. ^ Slavery and the Birth of an African City. p. 29.
15. ^ Plainsail. "Erelu Abiola Docemo Foundation". eraffoundation.org. Archived from the original on 19 June 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
16. ^ "LAGOS". iinet.net.au. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Adewunmi Elegbede. "Kingdoms of Nigeria, The Nigerian Database of Rulers, Kings, Kingdoms, Political and Traditional Leaders". kingdomsofnigeria.com.
18. ^ Shodipe, Uthman Ademilade (1997). From Johnson to Marwa: 30 Years of Governance in Lagos State. Malthouse Press. p. 245\. ISBN 978-978-023-069-2. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
19. ^ a b c d Slavery and the Birth of an African City. p. 46.
20. ^ Timothy-Asobele, S. J. (2001). Langbasa. Brintview Communications Limited. ISBN 978-978-059-564-7. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
21. ^ Kotun, Prince Bolakale (10 September 2008). History of the Eko Dynasty. Allentown Limited. p. 37\. ISBN 978-978-901-955-7. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
22. ^ a b c Ojo, Olatunji; Hunt, Nadine (15 September 2012). Slavery in Africa and the Caribbean: A History of Enslavement and Identity Since the 18th Century. I.B.Tauris. ISBN 9781780761152.
23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Slavery and the Birth of an African City.
24. ^ a b Slavery in Africa and the Caribbean. p. 95.

* 10\. Yusuf Olatunji. Volume 17:02

## Further reading

[edit]

* Ajom, Jacob (2 January 2012). "Oba of Lagos launches Olympic Countdown Clock". Vanguard. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
* Oladesu, Emmanuel (18 January 2012). "Traditional, religious leaders flay Fed Govt". The Nation. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
* Vaughan, Olufemi (2006). Nigerian Chiefs: Traditional Power in Modern Politics, 1890s–1990s. University of Rochester Press. ISBN 978-1-58046-249-5.
* Awa, Eme O. (1964). Federal government in Nigeria. University of California Press.
* Dosunmu, G.K. (11 June 2004). "Oba of Lagos". Kingdoms of Nigeria. Retrieved 21 January 2012.

* v
* t
* e

Lists relating to Lagos

* Radio
* Hospitals
* Hotels
* Markets
* Schools
* Restaurants
* Timeline
* Obas
* Governors
* Ministries

* v
* t
* e

Years in Nigeria (1960–present)

* 1901
* 1902
* 1904
* 1908
* 1909

* 1910
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1918

* 1922
* 1923
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929

* 1930
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1938

* 1940
* 1941
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949

* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959

* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969

* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979

* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989

* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999

* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009

* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
* 2026
* 2027
* 2028
* 2029

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template