Top 10 Obas in Lagos State: Full Details

Lagos State, Nigeria’s economic hub, is steeped in rich cultural heritage, with the Oba of Lagos (Eleko of Eko) as its most prominent traditional ruler. The title of Oba, a Yoruba term for king, carries ceremonial and cultural weight, tracing back to the Awori and Benin influences in Lagos’s history. While the Oba of Lagos dominates historical and modern narratives, other traditional rulers in Lagos State, such as Obas and high-ranking chiefs in communities like Ikeja, Badagry, and Epe, also hold significant roles. Below is a detailed list of the top 10 Obas in Lagos State, focusing on the Oba of Lagos lineage and other notable rulers where data is available, based on historical significance and cultural influence.

1. Oba Rilwan Akiolu (Oba of Lagos, 2003–Present)

Full Name: Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu.
Lineage: Descendant of Ashipa, a war captain of the Oba of Benin, who established the Lagos monarchy in the 17th century.
Background: Born October 29, 1943, Akiolu served 32 years in the Nigerian Police Force, rising to Assistant Inspector-General before retiring in 2002. He is a law graduate from the University of Lagos and a fellow of the Nigerian Law School.
Reign Details: Crowned the 21st Oba of Lagos on May 24, 2003, succeeding Oba Adeyinka Oyekan. His coronation faced legal disputes from the Akinsemoyin Royal Family, who claimed rights to the throne. Akiolu promotes Lagos tourism, often saying, “You’ve gotta go to Lagos.” His reign has seen controversies, including a 2015 remark against Igbo leaders and the 2020 #EndSARS protest invasion of his palace, where COVID-19 palliatives were found.
Residence: Iga Idunganran, the royal palace since 1630, renovated by the Portuguese.
Cultural Role: A ceremonial leader with no political power, sought by politicians for influence in Lagos, Africa’s largest city.
Location: Lagos Island.

2. Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II (Oba of Lagos, 1965–2003)

Full Name: Adeyinka Oyekan.
Lineage: Grandson of Oba Oyekan I, great-grandson of Oba Adele I, and descendant of Ologun Kutere.
Background: Born in 1910, a pharmacist, Christian, and former Sunday School teacher. Educated at Methodist Boys’ High School, King’s College, and Yaba College of Higher Education.
Reign Details: First Oba crowned post-independence in 1965, he enjoyed a long reign until his death in 2003. His rule was marked by cultural preservation and community engagement.
Cultural Role: Strengthened the monarchy’s cultural significance, maintaining its ceremonial role under Nigeria’s post-independence government.
Location: Lagos Island.

3. Oba Adeniji Adele II (Oba of Lagos, 1949–1964)

Full Name: Adeniji Adele.
Lineage: Great-grandson of Ologun Kutere, a trader and the first Muslim Oba of Lagos.
Background: A former surveyor in the colonial service, politically active in the independence movement, and member of Awolowo’s Egbe Omo Oduduwa, supporting the Nigerian Youth Movement.
Reign Details: Last Oba before Nigeria’s 1960 independence, his ascension was contested by the House of Dosunmu but upheld by the Privy Council of England in 1957. He died in 1964.
Cultural Role: Documented native laws and customs, strengthening the throne’s influence during colonial transitions.
Location: Lagos Island.

4. Oba Falolu Dosunmu (Oba of Lagos, 1932–1949)

Full Name: Falolu Dosunmu.
Lineage: Great-grandson of Ologun Kutere.
Background: A trader who resisted colonial directives, reinforcing the throne’s autonomy.
Reign Details: Ascended after Oba Eshugbayi Eleko’s return from exile. He instituted documentation of native laws and customs, strengthening the monarchy until his death in 1949.
Cultural Role: Maintained the throne’s cultural significance during British colonial rule.
Location: Lagos Island.

5. Oba Eshugbayi Eleko (Oba of Lagos, 1901–1925, 1931–1932)

Full Name: Eshugbayi Eleko.
Lineage: Grandson of Oba Akitoye, descendant of Ashipa.
Background: A western-educated Christian, alumnus of CMS Grammar School, and president of the United Native Africa Church.
Reign Details: Deposed and exiled to Oyo in 1925 due to his support for Herbert Macaulay’s anti-colonial actions (the “Eleko Affair”). Reinstated in 1931 after legal battles, he ruled until his death in 1932.
Cultural Role: A symbol of resistance against colonial overreach, his reinstatement was a victory for Lagos’s traditional leadership.
Location: Lagos Island.

6. Oba Ibikunle Akitoye (Oba of Lagos, 1925–1928)

Full Name: Ibikunle Akitoye.
Lineage: Grandson of Oba Akitoye (1841–1845, 1851–1853).
Background: Elected after Oba Eshugbayi’s deposition, faced public rejection due to his predecessor’s popularity.
Reign Details: Ruled briefly from 1925 to 1928, marked by tensions with supporters of the exiled Oba Eleko.
Cultural Role: Maintained ceremonial duties amid public unrest.
Location: Lagos Island.

7. Oba Oyekan I (Oba of Lagos, 1885–1900)

Full Name: Oyekan.
Lineage: Son of Oba Dosunmu.
Background: Ascended a month after his father’s death in 1885, during a period of declining political and financial power for the throne.
Reign Details: Ruled during Lagos’s transition to a British colony, facing challenges from rival Kosoko’s supporters. Died in 1900.
Cultural Role: Preserved ceremonial traditions despite colonial pressures.
Location: Lagos Island.

8. Oba Dosunmu (Oba of Lagos, 1853–1885)

Full Name: Dosunmu.
Lineage: Son of Oba Akitoye.
Background: First Oba after Lagos became a British colony in 1861, receiving an annual income from the British per a treaty signed by his father.
Reign Details: Contended with Oba Kosoko’s rivalry, which weakened the throne’s power. Ruled until his death in 1885.
Cultural Role: Maintained the monarchy’s cultural role under British rule.
Location: Lagos Island.

9. Oba Akitoye (Oba of Lagos, 1841–1845, 1851–1853)

Full Name: Akitoye.
Lineage: Son of Oba Osinlokun, nephew of Oba Kosoko.
Background: A western-educated Christian, appointed by British Consul Campbell, breaking tradition. Ceded Lagos to the British in 1861.
Reign Details: Deposed by Kosoko in 1845, restored by the British in 1851 after the Bombardment of Lagos, ending ties with the Oba of Benin. Died in 1853.
Cultural Role: Pivotal in establishing Lagos’s independence from Benin under British protection.
Location: Lagos Island.

10. Oba Kosoko (Oba of Lagos, 1845–1851)

Full Name: Kosoko.
Lineage: Son of Oba Osinlokun, nephew of Oba Akitoye.
Background: A trader who maintained ties with the Oba of Benin, sending occasional gifts until 1851.
Reign Details: Deposed by the British in 1851 during the Bombardment of Lagos, ending Lagos’s tributary relationship with Benin. Exiled, he never returned to the throne.
Cultural Role: Last Oba to engage in sentimental gifting to Benin, marking the end of Benin’s influence over Lagos.
Location: Lagos Island.

Other Notable Obas in Lagos State

While the Oba of Lagos dominates historical records, other traditional rulers exist in Lagos State, particularly among the Awori in areas like Ikeja, Badagry, and Epe. Specific names and details are limited in public sources, but examples include:

Oba of Ikorodu: A prominent ruler in the Ikorodu area, often recognized for cultural leadership. Exact names and reigns are not detailed in sources.
Oba of Epe: Oversees the Epe community, with historical ties to the Awori. Specific details are sparse.
Oba of Badagry: Represents the Badagry area, known for its historical role in trade and culture. Limited data restricts further details.

Notes

Data Limitations: The Oba of Lagos overshadows other traditional rulers in Lagos State, and sources like Wikipedia, Nigerian Leaders, and NaijaDetails focus heavily on this lineage. Other Obas (e.g., in Ikorodu, Epe, or Badagry) lack comprehensive public records, making it difficult to rank them definitively.
Historical Context: The Oba of Lagos traces lineage to Ashipa, a 17th-century war captain of the Oba of Benin, who governed Lagos with Benin’s sanction. Tributes to Benin ceased around 1830, and the 1851 Bombardment of Lagos ended all ties, establishing Lagos as an independent power under British influence.
Cultural Significance: Obas in Lagos hold ceremonial roles with no political power but wield influence as cultural leaders, often consulted by politicians. The Oba of Lagos resides at Iga Idunganran, a palace since 1630, renovated by the Portuguese.
Sources: Information is drawn from Wikipedia, Nigerian Leaders, and NaijaDetails, with critical examination to avoid unverified claims.
Challenges: Controversies, such as Oba Akiolu’s 2015 remarks and the 2020 #EndSARS incident, highlight the complex role of traditional rulers in modern Lagos.

This article captures the historical and cultural significance of the Oba of Lagos and other traditional rulers in Lagos State, despite limited data on Obas outside Lagos Island. For a more comprehensive list of other Obas, additional local research or community records would be needed.