This thread is intended to educate Nigerians in Nigeria and in diaspora as well as foreigners about Nigerian traditional rulers, their names, kingdoms and period of rulership. Nigeria has always had an ancient monarchical system even before the coming of the Europeans. Luckily for us, the British system of indirect rule favored the retention of our pre-colonial chiefs and monarchs. With the attainment of independence, the roles of these traditional kings in grassroot development became even more pronounced. They are the custodians of our culture and traditions. They are the intermediaries between the people and the gods. They are the first citizens of the land. Our traditional rulers embody our pre-colonial history. Since the great empires of Songhai, Benin, Oyo and others, African history became enmeshed in the divine rights of kings who are to guide us as a people. They embody our past and the historical, social and political importance of our origin as a people. With the coming of colonialism, monarchs and chiefs were graded as either First Class, Second Class or Third Class or Grades A, B and C . This gradation was done according to their purposes, historical age and territories.
This thread will therefore bring together a list of the most important traditional rulers in the Nation. The list is a continuous one which means that those that are not included here can be included via the reply function. Afterall, it is a compendium! . This list will attempt to cover the major regions/ethnic groups in the country. Please add more by replying to the thread. I present to you, therefore, the list in no particular order.

1. The Sultan of Sokoto : Amirul Mumineen Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar IV (born August 24, 1956 in Sokoto) is the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, the titular ruler of Sokoto in northern Nigeria, head of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (Society for the Support of Islam - JNI), and president-general of the Nigerian National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). As Sultan of Sokoto, he is considered the spiritual leader of Nigeria's 70 million Muslims, roughly 50 percent of the nation's population. Sa'adu Abubakar succeeded his brother, Muhammadu Maccido, who died on ADC Airlines Flight 53, the flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and had been destined for Sokoto.

2. The Alaafin of Oyo : Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (born 15 October 1938) is the Alaafin, or traditional ruler, of the Yoruba state of Oyo and pretender to the throne of its historic empire. Lamidi's father, the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Adeyemi II Adeniran, was deposed and exiled in 1954 for sympathizing with the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC). He had come into conflict with Bode Thomas, deputy leader of the Action Group. Lamidi Adeyemi succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970, during the governorship of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, after the end of the Nigerian Civil War. In 1975, the head of state General Murtala Ramat Mohammed included Oba Adeyemi in his entourage to the hajj. He was chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto from 1980 to 1992. In 1990 President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.

3. The Ooni of Ife : Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, or Sijuade, (born 1 January 1930) became the fiftieth traditional ruler or Ooni of Ife in 1980, taking the regnal name Olubuse II. Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade was born on the 1st of January, 1930 to a great royal family in the Ogboru house, Ilare, Ile-Ife. The last Ooni of Ife that the Ogboru ruling house presented (before the incumbent) reigned in Ife for many years as Sijuwade Adelekan Olubuse I. He was the first Ooni to venture out of his domain. At the invitation of the colonial Governor he visited Lagos in 1903 to give his ruling on whether the Oba Elepe of Epe was entitled to wear a crown which was earlier refused by Oba Akarigbo of Remo. Oba Adelekan was the father of the late “Omo-Oba“ Adereti Sijuwade, the father of Oba Sijuwade Olubuse II- the present Ooni of Ife. His mother was the late Yeyelori, Emilia Ifasesin Sijuwade. Ife is a traditional Yoruba state based in the town of Ife in Osun State, Nigeria. He was crowned on 6 December 1980 in a ceremony attended by the Emir of Kano, Oba of Benin, Amayanabo of Opobo and Olu of Warri, as well as by representatives of the Queen of England. Sijuwade is a Christian. In November 2009 he attended the annual general meeting of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria accompanied by 17 other traditional rulers. He declared that he a was full member of the church, and said all the monarchs who accompanied him would now become members.

4. The Oba of Benin : The Oba of Benin, or Omo N'Oba, is the traditional ruler of the Edo people and head of the historic Eweka dynasty of the Benin Kingdom. The title of Oba was created by Oba Eweka I, the kingdom's first 'Oba'. The current capital is Benin City, which is in modern-day Nigeria.Erediauwa (born 1923) was crowned the 38th Oba of Benin, head of the traditional state of Benin, Nigeria on 23 March 1979. He is the traditional ruler of the Edo people, with his capital in Benin City. Formerly Prince Solomon Akenzua, Oba Erediauwa's full title is His Royal Majesty Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I. Erediauwa was born in 1923, son of Oba Akenzua II. Before being crowned he was known as Prince Solomon, Aiseokhuoba, Igbinoghodua Akenzua. He attended Government College, Ibadan (1939–1945), then Yaba College, before going to King's College, Cambridge to study Law and Administration. He joined the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service in 1957 as a District Officer, later moving to the Federal Civil Service where he retired as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in 1973. For a short period he was the regional representative of Gulf Oil. In 1975 he was appointed Commissioner for Finance in Bendel State during the Military Administration of Major-General George Agbazika Innih. Ascending to the throne on 23 March 1979, he celebrated his 30th anniversary in 2009.

5. The Olu of Warri : ATUWATSE II (GODWIN TORITSEJU EMIKO) He is the second son of Olu Erejuwa II. He was the only son of his Father, that was made a member of the Warri Traditional Council since 1983 and was also a Member of Warri Local Government Council, where he served in several capacities. He is a lawyer by profession and the second university graduate to ascend the great throne of Warri Kingdom. He has been ruling since May, 2nd 1987 Till Date.

6. The Oba of Lagos : Also Known as Eleko of Eko. Born and reared in Isale-Eko, the haven of Lagos indigenes, Rili, as he is popularly called in his younger days, is a philanthropist. Unknown to many, he is a benevolent father-figure to several indigent Isale-Eko students by helping them to realize their educational ambitions. This stems from his deep-rooted belief that Isale-Eko indigenes, like others from other parts of the metropolis, must endeavour to acquire higher education to give them leverage to take their rightful positions in the scheme of things both at the State and Federal levels. In various addresses, he also advised that they should take a cue from him, that in spite of his busy schedule as a senior police officer, he still spared sometime to read Law and was called to the Nigerian Bar; and partly practised Law in Lagos before his ascension to the throne.

7. Dein of Agbor : Located in the southern part of Nigeria is the oil-rich state of Delta is the kingdom of Agbor. A vibrant and colourful town, it is headed by a monarch like no other, the Dein of Agbor, His Royal Majesty Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi the First (Keagborekuzi I). But the king has a very curious story -he was the youngest crowned king in the world as at the time he was made king in 1979. At the age of just two years and four months, the record remains unbroken till today. He was born in July 1977 and is also the youngest monarch in Nigeria to be appointed a Chancellor of the federal university (he is currently the Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, one of Nigeria's most prestigious universities). The sudden death of his own father, the late king, at a young age, threw the community into anxiety and confusion as the Crown Prince then was just a child who barely knew what was going on. But, tradition was followed and he was crowned as the Dein of Agbor in 1979. Thereafter, he went abroad while a Regent was appointed to rule in his place until he came back in 2001 to take over as the paramount ruler of Agbor people in one of the most memorable events in the history of Nigeria.

8. The Obi of Onitsha : His Majesty lgwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe was born in Onitsha on 14 May, 1941, the first child of Akunne Anthony Chinwuba, and Chukwuebuka Winifred Ogbenyeanu Achebe. He is a direct and unblemished descendant of Ezearoli, through the lineage of Chimedie, Oreze Obi, and Aguzani. His mother hails from Umu Olisa in Odoje, whilst his wife Chinwe Ngozi (nee Ononye) is from Umu Osodi, Inosi Onira of Ogbeabu. His paternal grandmother is from Umu Onuma of Obikporo whilst his maternal grandmother hails from the royal Ornozele Sineage of Umu Ezearoli. He has six children - four daughters and two sons - Ezennia Odiakosa, Chinedu, Eziamaka, lfunanya, Uchenna and Chinwe. lgwe Achebe has had a sound preparation for life through his education. With excellent results from his primary and secondary schools, he gained admission in 1963 to the prestigious and world famous Standford University in California, USA, where he took a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. This was followed with a Master's degree in Business Administration in the equally famous Columbia University in New York City, also in the USA. He continued to develop his 'skills and abilities through the opportunity of many local and overseas in-service training programmes during his entire career. His educational attainment was crowned when he was nominated in 1979 to the maiden set of the Senior Executive Course of the exclusive National institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Jos, which is aimed at developing high-level leadership in the public and private sectors in Nigeria.

9. The Asagba of Asaba : Obi Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien, CFR, JP, the Asagba[1] or traditional ruler of Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria was born on July 28, 1925 in Asaba. His father was Nathaniel Okafor Edozien a direct descendant of Nnebisi the founder of Asaba, and one of the most senior indigenous officials of the Nigerian Coal Corporation in Enugu. His mother, Nwakuso Edozien née Odogwu, was the daughter of a prominent Asaba chief, and a notable trader. His father sent him at an early age to live with an uncle who was a school master in Warri, Delta State then Bendel State, Nigeria. He attended the Catholic School in Warri from 1933 to 1937. He attended Christ the Kings College, Onitsha for his secondary education from 1938 to 1942. In 1942 he attended the Higher College Yaba and then proceeded to Achimota School, Accra, Ghana. His university education began with an admission to the University College Dublin, Ireland in 1944. He completed his BSc with honours in Physiology from the National University of Ireland in 1948, MSc in Physiology in 1950, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Chemotherapy (MBBCh) in 1954. He won several academic awards in the process. His academic career began with an appointment as a Lecturer in Clinical Biochemistry in Middlesex Hospital Medical School, University of London in 1951. In 1952 he was appointed as a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Pathology at the University College, Ibadan. He returned to Ibadan after further studies in Ireland. In 1955 he married Modupe Smith a radiographer at the University of Ibadan teaching hospital.

10. The Etsu Nupe : Alh. Yahaya Abubakar was born on 12th of September 1952 in Bida. He began his educational career at East Junior and later Sabongida Primary Schools, all in Bida, between 1957 and 1964. In 1967, he went to Government College, Sokoto and later Commercial College, Kano and finished in 1971. By 1973, young Yahaya’s desire to join the Nigerian Army had matured. So in the same year, he enrolled into the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna and graduated in 1975 armed with the Nigeria Defence Academic Certificate of Education (NDACE).

11. Ovie of Agbon Kingdom : His Royal Majesty, Ogurimerime Ukori I Mike Omeru JP who was born in Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, on September 29th, 1950 to Chief Omeru Okoro of Egbo Street and Mrs. Emeteigho Omeru Nee Ebobe of Ekpagha street, in Kokori. Both Families trace their ancestry to Ararharo and Udu the grand children of Agbon and founders of Kokori sub clan.
His mother was a renowned Business woman, the first woman to buy a white superb Raleigh Bicycle in her days in Kokori. She brought up her children with a sound Education. His Royal Majesty attended Baptist Primary School, Kokori, and St Kevin’s College, also in Kokori, where he passed out with flying colours, in December 1969. Armed with a flair for the Arts and Languages, he proceeded to College of Education, Abraka, now Delta State University. Abraka, where he studied English and French. He not only graduated with top grades, but also attended the University De Benin, Lome Togo, where he bagged a Diploma in French.Not satisfied with the NCE and a Diploma, he preceded to the United Kingdom, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Higher Education Management from the University of Hull, Hull, England. At that time, University of Hull was the premier University in the British Commonwealth for law and Educational Studies. However, it is worthy of note that his majesty punctuated his working years with study leave approvals at different times to pursue his NCE and degree programme respectively.
He began his working career as a Primary School Teacher in various Locations and later taught at St Kevin’s College Kokori and St Manacle’s College, Sapele. After some years, he moved to the petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, to offer his services first in the academics. He rose to become the Head of public Affairs Department, image maker of the institution. He retired voluntarily in 1990 from the petroleum training institute into private life, during which time he straddled across business and politics. Due to his unflinching support and personal involvement in the affairs of the Kingdom, he was conferred with an Agbon chieftaincy title on the 19th of April, 1987, and thus became the youngest chief in Agbon then. He was, in no small measure, actively involved in palace, traditional, developmental and culture affairs of the Kingdom for over 25 years before his ascension to the throne and subsequent coronation as the 2nd Ovie of Agbon Kingdom in February 2013.

12. Alake of Egbaland: He is a grandson of Oba Gbadebo, the sixth Alake of Egbaland, who ruled from 1898 to 1920 and one of the six children of Omoba Adesanya Osolake Gbadebo and Madam Amoke Gbadebo, a distinguished Egba woman from the Ikopa area of Abeokuta. Born on Tuesday, 14 September 1943, his birth was coincidental with the Centenary Celebration of Christianity in Egbaland, a faith and religion that carved out a niche for Egbaland, Egbaland was where the first Church was erected not only in Nigeria but also in the entire West Africa. Providence could not have chosen a better place and time to locate the young prince. He too had the fruits of good Western education to which the Egbas had an edge in Nigeria due to the early exposure to Christianity. Fruitfully married to Dr. Tokunbo Gbadebo (nee Alawiye, daughter of the legendary Yoruba novelist and author of the popular Alawiye series, Chief J. F. Odunjo), Oba Gbadebo is a committed family man. Blessed with four sons, who are already distinguishing themselves in their various professional callings, Oba Gbadebo holds the family as the cradle and nurture of a better society.

13. The Attah of Igala : His Royal Majesty (HRM) Alhaji Aliyu Ocheja Obaje is the paramount ruler of the Igala Kingdom in Nigeria. He holds the title of Attah,Igala. The Attah's palace (the seat of power in the Igala Kingdom) is located in the ancient city of Idah. Born in 1920, Dr. Aliyu Obaje was the youngest person ever to be installed as Attah Igala. He mounted the stool at the age of 36. HRM Aliyu Obaje ascended the throne on the October 20, 1956 following the death of his predecessor. HRM Ameh Oboni. He is one of the longest serving monarchs in Nigeria. HRM Aliyu Obaje is currently the chairman of the Kogi State council of Traditional chiefs.Having served as the Attah Igala for fifty years, HRM Aliyu Obaje is a household name among the Igalas and indeed a majority of Nigerians. He holds the Nigerian national honour of GCFR (Grand Commander of the Federal Republic).

14. The EMIRS : Up North, these are the highly prominent and powerful traditional monarchs. Apart from their highly exalted traditional stools, these royal fathers are financially solid, with vast interests across numerous blue-chip companies within and outside Nigeria's shores. Most of them, prior to their current status, had served the country in different capacities, which obviously has helped a great deal in strengthening their influence within the corridors of power and other segments of the society

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari

Mustapha EI- Kanem

Ado Ibrahim Atta

Shehu Idris

Aliu Mustapha

15. Other traditional rulers have a much less detailed public profile and so they have not been listed but they may be added via replying if their details can be sourced.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Kingdoms of Nigeria Book and Website
Additions and Modifications by Me

Please keep the thread rolling for everyone. Add your unlisted traditional rulers and their brief profile. . We have a cherished history! Let us be proud of it. Please avoid any ethnic bickerings here. Let us learn about our past, current and future as a nation.

Nice piece Op. But I was expecting a history on their various dynasty to make the thread interesting

macof:
Nice piece Op. But I was expecting a history on their various dynasty to make the thread interesting

I did that but it showed post too long so I decided to do so using the reply method later on.

Please OP can you help with Tor Tiv and Och'doma both in Benue state.

Where is Orangun of Ila, Ataoja of Oshogbo? OP, sorae o. You definitely have a particular order: or how can foreign traditional institution come first without an ulterior motive? Sarkin is Hausa for king not Emir, or I will list Archbishop Okogie as traditional ruler o.

literarymathy:
Cc:
seun
Lasticlacla
Tosyn2much
Redeboe
Redbenson
Unibenstudent
Tonychristopher
Ishilove
Barcanista

WHY THOU ADDRESS ME IN A BORROWED ROBE....


YOU MUST BE FUNNY, WHO MADE THEM SUCH INCLUDING TONYCHRISTOPHER

IGBOS ARE REPUBLICAN IN NATURE AND DOESNT GIVE MUCH THOUGHT OF MONARCHY, WE SEE IT AS MADNESS..WE HAVE KINGS BUT THEY DONT HAVE ABSOLUTE POWERS, HE WORDS CAN BE DEBATED BY THE COUNCIL AND CLAN HEADS. SO THE IGWE,OBIS, OKPALAUKWUS, OKENYES AND EZES IN IGBO ARE MERELY FIGURE HEADS

absoluteSuccess:
Where is Orangun of Ila, Ataoja of Oshogbo? OP, sorae o. You definitely have a particular order: or how can foreign traditional institution come first without an ulterior motive? Sarkin is Hausa for king not Emir, or I will list Archbishop Okogie as traditional ruler o.

There is no quarrel ooo. As I said earlier on, I have listed the names in no particular order and the country recognises the Sultan as a monarch and a custodian of the people's history and culture. So there is no beef or personal motive in it. I am not a Northerner neither do I have any Northern inclinations at all as a person.

englishmart:
nice thread...
But this post long o....

I even had to trim it down because it was showing post too long before. There are things I omitted which may be added when the thread is fully developed.

literarymathy:


I even had to trim it down because it was showing post too long before. There are things I omitted which may be added when the thread is fully developed.

I encourage you to develop the thread further.

This is a very educative piece. Nice work.

"EBORA OWU"

Ok

How many times is this on FP??

literarymathy:

4. The Oba of Benin : The Oba of Benin, or Omo N'Oba, is the traditional ruler of the Edo people and head of the historic Eweka dynasty of the Benin Kingdom. The title of Oba was created by Oba Eweka I, the kingdom's first 'Oba'. The current capital is Benin City, which is in modern-day Nigeria.Erediauwa (born 1923) was crowned the 38th Oba of Benin, head of the traditional state of Benin, Nigeria on 23 March 1979. He is the traditional ruler of the Edo people, with his capital in Benin City. Formerly Prince Solomon Akenzua, Oba Erediauwa's full title is His Royal Majesty Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I. Erediauwa was born in 1923, son of Oba Akenzua II. Before being crowned he was known as Prince Solomon, Aiseokhuoba, Igbinoghodua Akenzua. He attended Government College, Ibadan (1939–1945), then Yaba College, before going to King's College, Cambridge to study Law and Administration. He joined the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service in 1957 as a District Officer, later moving to the Federal Civil Service where he retired as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in 1973. For a short period he was the regional representative of Gulf Oil. In 1975 he was appointed Commissioner for Finance in Bendel State during the Military Administration of Major-General George Agbazika Innih. Ascending to the throne on 23 March 1979, he celebrated his 30th anniversary in 2009.

Omo N' oba N'edo ghato okpere, Iseeeee

tonychristopher:
IGBOS ARE REPUBLICAN IN NATURE AND DOESNT GIVE MUCH THOUGHT OF MONARCHY, WE SEE IT AS MADNESS..WE HAVE KINGS BUT THEY DONT HAVE ABSOLUTE POWERS, HE WORDS CAN BE DEBATED BY THE COUNCIL AND CLAN HEADS. SO THE IGWE,OBIS, OKPALAUKWUS, OKENYES AND EZES IN IGBO ARE MERELY FIGURE HEADS

True democracy!

Sack them all. This is a REPUBLIC.

true Nigerians

Cool.




I Rep Alaafin of Oyo.

[size=16pt]Op nice write up, but, The attah of igala is not a holder of the GCFR honour. GCFR is only conferred on the president and head of states; thank you.[/size]

Where is powerful Emir of Kano?

This sh*t is outdated


Where is JAJA of opobo?

one day una go hala my name

You forgot 2 add obasambi
the king of sambisa forest

Why on earth shod you forget



THE OBONG OF CALABAR

THE BONG GWOM JOS

And THE KING OF MY HEART 'Aniekan'