Nigeria is a republic country located in West Africa rich in many rich cultures and tribal groups. With over 370 ethnic groups, they are mostly categorized based on the major ethnic groups in Nigeria which include;
- Hausa – around 25% of Nigerian population
- Yoruba – around 21% of Nigerian population
- Igbo – around 18% of Nigerian population
- Ijaw – around 10% of Nigerian population
- Edo (Bini)
- Fulani – around 6% of Nigerian population
- Tiv -around 2.4% of Nigerian population
- Efik
- Kanuri – around 4% of Nigerian population
- Ibibio – around 3.5% of Nigerian population
Most of these ethnic groups have had monarchical systems way before colonialism, while others were created by British colonial authorities for easier governance of these tribes. Today the royal lineages exist and the tradition of crowning kings continues to this day. Despite lack of substantial political power, they have considerable status and influence in their areas of reign religiously and culturally.
Olutayo Adeshina, a professor of history at the University of Lagos, said that by pledging to respect the culture “by protecting, preserving and promoting traditional values”, the Nigerian constitution recognises the important role of traditional leaders. “Traditional leaders possess some latent power which politicians are afraid of, hence the tension between the two. “If they are not relevant, the politicians would ignore them. But you ignore them at your own peril,” he said.
The Kings of the many traditional kingdoms and emirates are titled in various different titles according to the over 525 local languages. Nigerian monarchs vary in hierarchy and are classified into first, second or third class Kings. Some rule over large areas, while others are rulers of a village or town
Each Nigerian state has a Council of Traditional Kings which advises the state on cultural and traditional issues. There is also a state council for the country which advises the President of Nigeria and his government.
General Royal titles and prefixes
- Oba – King is generally for Benin Edo and Yorubas and used as a prefix before their name but there are specific titles for specific monarchies
- Igwe or Eze – King, is generally used for Igbo Kings and used as a prefix before their name but there are specific titles for specific monarchies
- Amayanabo – King, used by some Ijaw tribes in niger delta
- Sarkin/Shehu/Emir/Mai -King used for the islamic emirates Hausa Fulani in Northern Nigeria
- Onojie/Onogie – King, used by Esan people
- Omu – Queen Mother , highest royal title and position among the Igbo people of Anioma subtribe given to a woman as the leader of the women in the Kingdom
- Olori – Title for queen consort /wife of Oba, used by Yoruba people
- Lolo – Title for Queen consort , used by Igbo people
- Iya oba – Title for Queen mother / Kings mother
- Sarauniyar – Queen or wife of an Emir or Highest royal titled woman in Islamic Hausa Fulani Emirates
- Adele – Crowned princess who serves as regent after her fathers death before another male successor king is chosen. Ondo and Ekiti state
- child of king in Yoruba – OmoOba used by Prince and Princess
- HRM – His/Her Royal Majesty, used only by Nigerian kings
- HIM – His/Her Imperial Majesty, was used in Ethiopia and now used only by Ooni of Ife and Alaafin of Oyo, Nigeria
- HE – His eminence,used by Kings who are also Religious heads, like Sultan of Sokoto, Nigeria (heads of all muslims in Nigeria), Obong of Calabar, Nigeria (first defender of the Christian faith in Nigeria )
- HRH – His/Her Royal Highness, used by Emirs, princes and princesses and chiefs.
Below is a list of the over 500 traditional Kings of Nigeria
- Alaafin of Oyo
- Abepa of Joga Orile
- Aboro of Ibeshe
- Aku Uka of Wukari, Kwararafa kingdom, Jukun people
- Ad’Ogbadibo of Orokam
- Abodu of Ikale
- Akarigbo of Remo
- Alayetoro of Ayetoro Ekiti
- Alaketu of Ketu
- Alapomu of Apomu
- Alara of Ilara
- Alake of Egbaland (also known as Egba Ake)
- Attah of Igala
- Amanyanabo of Kalabari
- Amanyanabo of Boony (Ubani)
- Amanyanabo of Opobo
- Ataoja of Osogbo
- Awujale of Ijebu
- Arujale of Okeluse
- Adokun of Igan-Okoto
- Alademeso of Igan-Alade
- Amayanabo of Opobo
- Amanyanabo of Ogbolomabiri, Nembe Kingdom of Izon people
- Amanyanabo of Bassambiri, Nembe Kingdom of Izon people
- Amanyanabo of Okpoama, Nembe Kingdom of Izon people
- Amanyanabo of Odioama, Nembe Kingdom of Izon people
- Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Nembe Kingdom of Izon people
- Amayanabo of Ke
- Amanyanabo of Okochiri
- Amayanabo of Sangana
- Amayanabo of Ogu
- Agwam of Atyap people
- Agwam Bajju of Bajju people
- Agwam Fantswam of Fantswam (Kafanchan) people
- Agwam Asholyio of Moroa, Asholyio people
- Are of Eggon people
- Aidonogie of south Ibie, Afemai People
- Agom adara of Adara people
- Akan of Badagry
- Agura of Gbagura
- Alani of Ido Ani
- Ayangburen of Ikorodu
- Aladegunshebi of Odoragunshen
- Alabirun of Ikaare
- Aholu of Ajido
- Adeboruwa of Igbogbo
- Alabirun of Ikaare
- Alajede of Ijede
- Alado of Ado
- Alaye-Ode of Ode Remo
- Alakenne of Ikenne
- Adokun of Igan-Okoto
- Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife
- Akija of Ikija-Ijebu
- Alaiye of Odogbolu
- Agbowu of Ogbaagbaa
- Amananaowei of Tombia
- Ad’Igede of Igede people
- Agaba of Izhia
- Adedugbe Jegun of Ile-Oluji
- Ajobu of Araromi-Obu
- Abodi of Ikoya
- Asigangan of Igangan
- Aseyin of Iseyin
- Asagba of Asaba
- Alepata of Igboho
- Atar Aten of Ganawuri Riyom
- Agwom Izere of Izere
- Ayanperuwa of Sotubo
- Bra Ngwe Irigwe of Irigwe people
- Chun of Mada people
- Chun of Gudi
- Dein of Agbor
- Deji of Akure
- Dagburewe of Idowa
- Da Gwom Rwey of Vwang
- Elegushi of Ikate
- Ebi of Idena
- Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha
- Ebenanaowei of Gbarain
- Ebenanaowei of Tuomo
- Ebenanaowei of Oporomor
- Ebenanaowei of Kumbowei
- Ebenanaowei of Oyakiri
- Elemuren of Emuren
- Elejinrin of Ejinrin
- Ewi of Ado-Ekiti
- Etsu of Nupe people (also known as Emir of Bida)
- Etsu of Lapai
- Emir of Kano
- Emir of Bichi
- Emir of Zazzau (also known as Emir of Zaria)
- Emir of Daura
- Emir of Gombe
- Emir of Borgu
- Emir of Fika
- Emir of Biu
- Emir of Gwandu
- Emir of Gusau
- Emir of Gumel
- Emir of Potiskum
- Emir of Patigi
- Emir of Misau
- Emir of Lafiagi
- Emir of Lafia
- Emir of Jama’are
- Emir of Rano
- Emir of Nasarawa
- Emir of Katsina
- Emir of Kazaure
- Emir of Damaturu
- Emir of Jajere
- Emir of Hadejia
- Emir of Zamfara
- Emir of Mubi
- Emir of Agaie (also known as Etsu Agaie)
- Emir of Kebbi (also known as Argungu)
- Emir of Suleja
- Emir of Bade
- Emir of Bauchi
- Emir of Ilorin
- Emir of Birnin Gwari
- Emir of Gujba
- Emir of Kagara
- Emir of Katagum
- Emir of Keffi
- Emir of Lere
- Emir of Muri Taraba
- Emir of Machina
- Emir of Ningi
- Emir of Yauri
- Emir of Wase
- Emir of Kanam
- Emir of Bungudu
- Emir of Bakura
- Emir of Tsafe
- Emir of Bukkuyum
- Emir of Birnin
- Emir of Talata-Mafara
- Emir of Kaura-Namoda
- Emir of Ringim
- Emir of Gunmi
- Emir of Karaye
- Emir of Gaye
- Emir of Zuru
- Emir of Dutse
- Ere of Koro Wachi people
- Eburu of Iba
- Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye
- Elewo of Ilewo
- Eze Obi of Orodo
- Eze Ogbo of Ogbo people
- Eze of Enugwu Auleri
- Eze of Nri
- Ezhie of Ezhionum
- Ebu of Umuebu
- Eze of Ngwa
- Eze Edem of Edem
- Eze Ekpeye Logbo of Ekpeye
- Eze of Eri
- Eze Igwete of Amai
- Eze of Abia
- Eze of Umuanunu
- Eze of Olaukwu
- Eze of Irete
- Eze of Eziokele
- Eze of Amaifeke
- Eze Okiruru of Umudioka
- Ezediohanma of Umukpa Alike
- Eze Ezikochi of Awaka
- Ezeudo of Nguru Nwekeoha
- Eze of Udo kingdom
- Eze Ogwu of Ogwuama
- Eze Umara of Adakam Amumara
- Eze Uri of Uri Amaimo
- Eze of Ngor
- Ezeoha of Eziobodo
- Eze Chidiebube of Egbelu Obube
- Eze Ihemefulen of Umuonyima Owerri
- Eze Ononenyi of Ozuh Omuma
- Eze Obi of Nkume
- Eze Obodo of Assa
- Eze Igwe Ohazurumee Of Nneato-Ochasi
- Eze Otachirioha of Ossemoto
- Eze Isiala of Isiala Umudi
- Ezeudo of Mgbidi
- Eze Akanigbo Of Umuakam
- Eze Ekiti of Ekitti Afor Abba
- Eze of Awada Iheme Izuogu
- Eze Ebubedike of Awo-Idemmili
- Eze Obi of Isu Njaba
- Eze Egwelle Diohanma of Umuduru
- Eze Nlogho of Umulogho
- Eze Ojiwuru Obodo of Anara
- Eze Ihi of Umuihi
- Eze Agu of Iheoma Gazoo Of Amagu
- Ezeoha of Okwuato
- Eze Anekwu of Eziowa
- Eze of Umuagna
- Eze of Isuokoma
- Eze Ezu of Ikem ivite Nando
- Esu of Karu
- Esu of Bwari
- Gara of Donga
- Gbong Gwom of Jos, Berom kingdom people
- Gbegande of Ososa
- Ibedawei of Akassa
- Ibedawei of Bilabiri
- Igwe of Nnewi (also has the title Obi of Otolo)
- Igwe Duru of Orlu
- Igwe of Ugbo Igbo
- Igwe of Ekoli
- Igwe of Ndeaboh
- Igwe of Aji
- Igwe Omashi of Iwollo
- Iralepo of Isinkan
- King of Emu
- Kpop of Ham people
- Long of Gamai/ Goemai people
- Lamido of Adamawa
- Lamido of Gassol
- Limeri of Awa
- Lamido Bakundi of Bali
- Lemo of Ode-Lemo
- Moyegeso of Itele
- Magajiya (Queen) of Kubwada – ruled by women only
- Maiyaki of Kupa
- Mai of Tula people
- Ngolong of Ngas people
- Negbuwa of Ibido
- Ooni of Ife – considered seniormost King of all Yoruba people
- Oba of Benin kingdom, Edo people
- Obong of Calabar, Efik people, also traditionally was known as Edidem of Akwa Akpa until 1903
- Olugbo of Ugbo – Richest King in Nigeria
- Olu of Warri Kingdom (Iwerre), Itsekiri people
- Obi of Onitsha
- Oba of Lagos(lagos was traditionally called Eko)
- Ojomu of Ajiran
- Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland
- Ogoga of Ikere/Ikere-Ekiti
- Oluwo of Iwo
- Olowo of Owo
- Olowu of Owu
- Olowu of Owu Kuta
- Olowu of Owu Egba
- Obi of Issele Uku
- Olugbon of Orile-Igbon
- Olubadan of Ibadan
- Oniru of Iru
- Onisolu of Solu alade
- Olofa of Offa
- Oloto of Oto Awori
- Olowu of Igbara Oke
- Onisabe of Igbobi Sabe
- Olufon of Ifon
- Odemo of Isara
- Oliyere of Iyere
- Onipokia of Ipokia
- Owaloko of Iloko Ijesha
- Oluboropa of Iboropa
- Och’Idoma of Idoma people
- Ohinoyi of Ebira people/ Ebiraland
- Obi of the Idumeje-Unor
- Onigbeji of Igbeji
- Olojo of Ojo
- Oloja of Igbesa
- Oloto of Oto Awori
- Ololo of Ijofin
- Otaru of Auchi, Afemai people
- Okumagbe of Weppa Wanno (Agenebode), Afemai people
- Ogieneni of Uzairue (Jattu), Afemai People
- Oba of Agbede, Afemai People
- Otaru of Igarra, Afemai People
- Obi of Ubulu Uku
- Obi of Owa
- Olaza of Ugbodu, Olukumi people
- Obi of Ukwu-Nzu, Olukumi people
- Olila-ebhugh of Abureni
- Oliola of Anegbette,
- Okumagbe of Iuleha clan,
- Okuopellagbe of Okpella
- Olofin Adimula Oodua of Ado Odo
- Olomu of Igbomina
- Oniroko of Iroko
- Osana of Keana
- Osile of Oke Ona
- Orodje of Okpe, Urhobo people
- Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo, Urhobo people
- Ovie of Uvwie, Urhobo people
- Ovie of Ughelli, Urhobo people
- Ovie of Evwreni, Urhobo people
- Ovie of Agbon, Urhobo people
- Ovie of Umiaghwa Abraka
- Osuivie of Agbarho, Urhobo people
- Okpara Uku of Orogun, Urhobo people
- Ohworode of Olomu, Urhobo people
- Ozuruigbo of Owerri
- Onochi-Eze of Umutu
- Olusin of Ijara-Isin
- Olu of Ikeja
- Onisiwo of Abagbo & Tomaro
- Olu Agege of Agege
- Onigando of Igando
- Ojon of Ejigbo
- Oba Shomolu of Somolu
- Oba of Egbeda
- Oba of Oworonshoki and Kosofe
- Oba of Odi-Olowo
- Oloja of Epe
- Onibeju of Ibeju
- Onise of Ise
- Orijeru of Igbooye
- Onigbanko of Igbankoland
- Onilado of Ilado and Inagbe Island
- Onijanikin of Ijanikin
- Ofori of Ibeshe
- Osolu of Irewe
- Obateru of Egbin
- Olubeshe of Ibeshe
- Onidogo of Idogo
- Olu of Ijale Ketu
- Ooye of Iwoye Ketu
- Ogidimadagbo of Ilodo Ijebu
- Onipara of Ipara
- Ologere of Ogere
- Olomu of Omu
- Olobi of Ilobi
- Oniboro of Iboro
- Oloja of Igbesa
- Ololo of Ijofin
- Oniko of Ikolaje
- Onidofa of Idofa
- Onimeko of Imeko
- Olubara of Ibara
- Omola of Imala
- Onisaga of Isaga.
- Oniro of Iro
- Onilogbo of Ilogbo
- Olu of Ifo
- Onijale of Ijale – Papa
- Olu of Itori
- Olu of Afowowa Sogade
- Olu of Orile-Igbore
- Onikoko of Koko-Ebiye
- Onitele of Itele
- Olu of Akinale
- Onipe of Ibu-Arijan
- Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo
- Obiri of Idobiri
- Olu of Odosenlu Alaro
- Oru of Imoru
- Olupele of Ipele
- Oloba of Uso
- Olupemen of Ipemen
- Ojomoluda of Ijebu Owo
- Oliworo of Iworo
- Obenibe of Epie
- Odio-Logbo of Okugbe Isoko
- Olisua of Isua
- Olofun of Irele
- Owa of Idanre
- Olubaka of Oka
- Onigbeti Of Igbeti
- Okere of Saki
- Onpetu of Ijeru
- Obobanyi of Ohionwa (Uka) Clan
- Onilua of Ilua
- Olu of Sangotedo
- Onikooko of Koko Ebiye
- Obonogina of Obonoma
- Ojuromi of Uromi, Esan people
- Ojirrua of Irrua, Esan people
- Onogie of Amahor, Esan people
- Onogie of Ebelle, Esan people
- Onogie of Okalo, Esan people
- Onogie of Ogwa, Esan people
- Onogie of Igueben, Esan people
- Onojie of Ekpoma, Esan people
- Onogie of Orowa, Esan people
- Onogie of Onogholo, Esan people
- Onogie of Ewu, Esan people
- Onogie of Uzea, Esan people
- Onogie of Oria, Esan people
- Onogie of Ewato, Esan people
- Onogie of Ewossa, Esan people
- Onojie of Urhohi/Urohi, Esan people
- Onojie of Ewohimi, Esan people
- Onogie of Onogholo, Esan people
- Onogie of Egoro, Esan people
- Onogie of Emu, Esan people
- Onogie of Idoa, Esan people
- Onogie of Ifeku, Esan people
- Onogie of Ilushi, Esan people
- Onogie of Inyelen, Esan people
- Onogie of Ohordua, Esan people
- Onogie of Okhuesan, Esan people
- Onogie of Opoji, Esan people
- Onogie of Orowa, Esan people
- Onogie of Udo, Esan people
- Onogie of Ugbegun, Esan people
- Onogie of Ugboha, Esan people
- Onogie of Ubiaja, Esan people
- Onogie of Ugun, Esan people
- Onogie of Ujiogba, Esan people
- Onogie of Ukhun, Esan people
- Peremobowei of Kabowei
- Pere of Olodiama
- Pere of Gbaramatu
- Pere of Ogbe Ijoh Warri
- Pere of Isaba
- Pere of Akugbene Mein
- Paramount Ruler of Koromotoru
- Paramount ruler of Efuts
- Paramount ruler of the Quas
- Paramount ruler of the Yakurr
- Paramount ruler of Ogoja
- Paramount ruler of Obudu
- Paramount ruler of Bekwarra
- Paramount ruler of Obanliku
- Paramount ruler of Boki
- Paramount ruler of Yala
- Ponzhi of Tarok people
- Ranodu of Imota
- Rebuja Of Osooro
- Rekna of Bashar
- Sultan of Sokoto
- Soun of Ogbomoso
- Shehu of Borno
- Shehu of Dikwa
- Sa Gbayi of Gbayi people (also known as Etsu of Chikun)
- Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora
- Sabiganna of Iganna
- Saf of Ron Kulere
- Tor Tiv or Begha u Tiv of Tiv people
- Timi of Ede
- Rekna of Bashar, Yankam people
- Ukor of Ihievbe, Afemai people
- Utu Ugo Kiche of Rukuba
- Ugo Namap of Amo
- Ujah of Anaguta
- Yangede of Epe
List incomplete
Princess Regents
https://theafricanroyalfamilies.com/2023/01/05/crowned-princess-regents-of-nigeria-woman-kings
Queen mothers of Igbo/Omu Tradition
© The African Royal Families. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nigerian_traditional_states
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_traditional_rulers
https://kingdomsofnigeria.com/
https://www.nigeriagalleria.com/Nigeria/States_Nigeria/
https://innonews.com.ng/2022/04/recognized-traditional-rulers-in-imo-state-the-full-list/
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