Top 10 Obas in Yorubaland: Interesting facts about the rulers

Top 10 Obas in Yorubaland: Interesting facts about the rulers

Are there any kings in modern Nigeria? While the President is the political leader of the country, ethic groups have their own traditional rulers. Do you know the names of top 10 Obas in Yorubaland? They are the kings of the 21st century, and it is important for each Yoruba indigene and other Nigerians to find out more about these honourable men.

Top 10 obas in Yorubaland
Top 10 obas in Yorubaland. Photo: @ToluSadipe (modified by author)

Who are Obas? Why are they so important to Yoruba people? Before we share the list of the first class Obas in Yorubaland, we need to explain some details about Yoruba crown.

Traditional rulers in Nigeria

The amazing Yoruba culture is worth discovering and exploring. This ethnic group has always had traditional rulers who represented the sons of Oduduwa. By the way, Oduduwa is known as the first Ife’s ruler and represents the ancestor of all modern and autonomous royal families and generations in Yorubaland.

Yorubas believe that Oduduwa was a real soldier and idol, representing a father of the whole race. It is possible to say that modern first class Obas in Yorubaland are kings who continue what Oduduwa started and keep uniting all Yoruba people under Yoruba crown.

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10 first class Obas in Yorubaland

We should say that our list of traditional rulers in Nigeria is not a ranking! We just want to list the most famous traditional rulers who wear Yoruba crown now. Also, there is no particular order in our list of first class Obas.

1. Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi
Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. Photo: @oaucruise

This well-known king became ruler of Ile Ifein 2015. This Oba has a big influence in the country, not only in Yorubaland. He obtained his primary and higher education in Ibadan. Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi studied accounting.

He was chosen as Oba from several candidates, and he is the current spiritual leader of Yoruba land.

2. Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III

Top 10 Obas in Yorubaland
Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III is one of Obas in Yorubaland. Photo: @ToluSadipe
Source: Twitter

The current Oba of Oyo town is Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. This traditional Yoruba ruler has 7 wives. He loves attending different events and enjoys boxing.

Being the Oba, he is also referred to as ‘emperor’, and his roots date back to the Oyo empire, which existed long time ago.

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4. Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III

Top 10 Obas in Yorubaland
Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III is one of 10 Obas in Yorubaland. Photo: @APCUKingdom
Source: Twitter

Sons of Oduduwa rule across the whole Yorubaland that consists of different towns. Egbaland is one of such lands. Its current traditional ruler, Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, is also known as Oda or Alake of Egba.

He received his Yoruba crown in 2005 and had become a highly influential person in Nigeria ever since.

5. Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona

Top 10 Obas in Yorubaland
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona is one of 10 Obas in Yorubaland. Photo: @SulaiOdus
Source: Twitter

While most traditional rulers in Nigeria are comparatively young, there are some exceptions. For example, Sikiru Kayode Adetona has been on the throne for nearly 60 years, and this makes ‘son of Oduduwa’ one of the kings who rule for the longest period.

Just like other first class Obas in Yorubaland, the king of Ijebu comes from a royal Anikilaya family. His full title is Awujale of Ijebu.

6. Oba Saliu Adetunji

Top 10 Obas in Yorubaland
Oba Saliu Adetunji is one of 10 Obas in Yorubaland. Photo: @Adebo_ogund
Source: Twitter

People who live in Ibadan know Oba Saliu Adtunji who is the forty-first Olubadan. His coronation was held 2 years ago, in 2016.

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7. Oba Francis Adedoyin

Top 10 Obas in Yorubaland
Oba Francis Adedoyin is one of 10 Obas in Yorubaland. Photo: @NajeemFSalaam
Source: Twitter

The town of Modakeke in Osun State has its own king. His name is Francis Adedoyin.

Oba Francis Adedoyin became the king in 2009. It is curious that unlike other Yoruba Obas, Francis does not come from a royal family.

8. Oba Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo

Top 10 Obas in Yorubaland
Oba Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo is one of Obas in Yorubaland. Photo: @ODIRS_NG
Source: Twitter

Yoruba people who live in Ondo State have their Oba. His full name is Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo Adenrele Ademefun, but many know him shortly as Jilo III.

Oba Adesimbo was officially crowned in 2008. However, he received his royal title 2 years earlier. Oba Adesimbo is also a medical doctor. He studied medicine and surgery in Nigeria and Liverpool, UK.

9. Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi

Top 10 Obas in Yorubaland
Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi is among Obas in Yorubaland. Photo: @deji_of_lagos
Source: Twitter

Who is the king of the Akure Kingdom in Yorubaland? His full name is Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi (Odundun II). The traditional ruler holds the official title of Deji of Akure.

Odundun II became the Oba in 2015, and for the last three years, he is referred to as His Imperial Majesty.

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10. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II

Top 10 obas in Yorubaland: Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II
Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II. Photo: @UnknownNigeria

The town of Ilesa also called Ilesaland has its own king whose name is Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II. He has been the traditional ruler since 1982.

This land has a long list of notable Obas, who ruled here for many centuries. Oba Aromolaran II is a notable person as well. As a teacher, economist and author, he stands behind approximately 100 books.

These are the top 10 Obas in Yorubaland, who preserved the pre-colonial title and make the modern history of Nigeria more interesting and attractive for foreign visitors. Yoruba culture is rich, unique, and impressive.

READ ALSO: 3 Youngest Monarchs in Nigeria: Their Age, Educational Level and Adorable Photos

Legit.ng posted an article about the 3 youngest monarchs in Nigeria. Nigeria has numerous traditional rulers who are custodians of customs and traditions in their respective domains. While many of them are aged, there are three kings who are described as the youngest of them all. Read more about them in the article.

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Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Adrianna Simwa avatar

Adrianna Simwa (Lifestyle writer) Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Legit.ng where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years. She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media. Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020. In 2023, Simwa finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her through her email: adriannasimwa@gmail.com

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