Have you heard about the tradition of crowning princesses as regents to the throne in Nigeria? Well this is one of the most unique regency royal traditions in the world where daughters are crowned as regents and adopt the male lifestyle of their late father. A regent is usually a person appointed to rule when the throne is vacant, before a monarch is chosen, on behlaf of a minor or when a monarch is not able to dicharge his or her duties. Regency is common in many european monarchies in which queens, queen mothers, uncles , brothers or sons are appointed as regents.
Regency is also present in African royal kingdoms with most regents being wives(Queen) or male relatives of a late King. In South Africa, the royal houses practice the great royal wife tradition in which the great royal wives act as regents. However in Nigeria there is a unique tradition of crowning princesses as regents (Adele) to the vacant throne after the passing of a king. The Princess is usually a daughter or family relative of the late King/Chief who is chosen as a caretaker to the throne until another male successor is chosen, which can take years.
This tradition was probably adopted to prevent male relatives who usually refuse to give back the throne after regency, as we have seen in some african kingdoms.
The Regent princess therefore according to royal tradition and customs adopts the male lifestyle like her father
- Wear Male royal robes/clothes – some wear their late fathers robes
- Wear a crown – Regent should always cover her head
- Exempted from being a victim of domestic violence in her marriage
- Uphold Celibacy until end of regency
- Forbidden to Kneel to any human
- Must not eat in public
- If unmarried, she should marry after end of regency
- Entitled to all royal privileges of a male King
while the princesses gladly serve as regents to honour their father, they sometimes face diffculties during the regency like lack of enough support form the federal and state governments, lack of compensation for their service, missing some normal activities due to regency tradition, kidnpas due to throne battles, fear by men etc. While they are forever addressed as Regents(Adele/Crowned regents) by their communities, after regency they are no longer entitled to any privileges of compensation as per regency law in some states
Regent Alani of Idoani, Princess Adetutu Atewogboye
Royal title – Regent Alani(King) of Idoani Kingdom
Years served as regent – 2010- 2016
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Alani(King) of Idoani Oba Aderemi Atewogboye
Kingdom – Idoani Kingdom
State – Ondo state, Nigeria
Royal house – Obasuloye ruling house
Male successor – Oba General Olufemi Olutoye
Special acknowledgement – Crowned Princess Adetutu Atewogboye / Instagram – Faderera2
“I am from the family of eight I assumed the position on the 12th of March. I just came to the throne , I was then a student of History Education in 100level second semester I am now in my final year. She is doing her Teaching practical at African Comprehensive High School , Alagbaka, Akure. They respect me in the class , they treat me like a king and i attend many meetings with the high and the low in the society. I still mingle with my colleagues in the class But I don’t run around with them again. I am always decked in coral beads which is the symbol of a King ” – Taiwos world
Photos ; Regent
Regent Deji (King) of Akure kingdom, Dr Princess Adetutu Adesida Ojei
Royal title – Regent Deji (King) of Akure Kingdom
Years served as regent – 2013 – 2015
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Deji of Akure Oba Adebiyi Adesida, Afunbiowo II (reign 2010 – 2013)
Kingdom – Akure Kingdom, Nigeria
State – Ondo state
Royal house –
Male successor – Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi Odundun II
Special acknowledgement – Crowned Princess Adetutu Adesida Ojei/ Instagram – Regent Adetutu Adesida
“I know this is a duty I have to perform, so I have called on my God to help me to succeed in the journey and also that God will help the king makers to choose the right person to be the next king. I promise that during my short reign I will bring further development to Akureland. We are all witnesses to what happened during my father’s reign. Akureland witnessed unprecedented development and I will, by the special grace of God, do more” – Daily post Nigeria
Photos ; Regent
Other Regents Deji (King) of Akure kingdom
Royal title – Regent Deji of Akure Kingdom
The List of the past Regents are:
- Eye Aro from 1393 to 1419
- Eyemoin from 1705 to 1735
- Crown Princess Regent Tinuade Adesida, Daughter of Oba Olofinlade Afunbiowo Ojijigogun Asodeboyede,Adesida I – 1957
- Crown Princess Regent Adebusola Alice Adesida, Daughter of Oba Agunsoyebioyinbo Ademuwagun Adesida II – From 1973-1975
- Crown Princess Regent Aina Adelegan Adesida, Daughter of Oba Otutubiosun Adelegan Adesida III – 1991
- Crown Princess Regent Adeyinka Adesida, Daughter of Ataiyese Adebobajo Adesida IV – From 1999-2005
- Crown Princess Regent Dr. Adetutu Adesida-Ojei, Daughter of Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida Afunbiowo II – From 2013-2015 post By Oluwafemi Omodara
Regent Elemure of Emure Ile, Princess Elizabeth Abitogun
Royal title – Regent Elemure of Emure Ile
Years served as regent – 1991 – 2001
Father/King she succeeded as regent – late Elemure of Emure-Ile, Oba Japhet Adeyefa Ogundimibola
Kingdom/Chiefdom – Emure Ile
State – Ondo, Nigeria
Royal house – Aladegbamigbe royal family
Male successor – Oba Simeon Adedubaje Adeyefa
In November 1991 after the passing away of the then Elemure of Emure-Ile, Oba Japhet Adeyefa Ogundimibola, I was installed as the Regent of the town. My great grandfather was a former Elemure of Emure in Owo Local government. On getting to my father’s house at the back of the palace, my brother said I should escort him to the palace, when we got there, they said I should enter one room, as I entered, I saw elders of my family and the kingmakers and they all rose to say” Kaabiyesi o” to me (an homage to a king) I started crying and I said what was the meaning of this? I told them that I would not accept it. They performed all the necessary rites for me that very day, but I kept on telling them that I am married and I cannot just stay there, they said it was just for three months but after three months, nothing was done. The Hope Newspaper
Regent Olosi(King) of Osi Ekiti kingdom, Barrister (Mrs.) Princess Irene Stella Aderonke Agunbiade Akin
Royal title – Regent Olosi(King) of Osi Ekiti kingdom
Years served as regent – 2021 –
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Olosi of Osi Ekiti Oba Oladiran Adewoye Agunbiade III
Kingdom – Osi Ekiti kingdom
State – Ekiti state, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor –
Special acknowledgement – Crowned Princess Aderonke Agunbiade Akin
Photos ; Regent
Regent Onijan of Ijan-Ekiti, Princess Adetutu Fadahunsi
Male successor –
Royal title – Regent Onijan (King) of Ijan Ekiti kingdom
Years served as regent – 2021 aged 15 –
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Onijan of Ijan Ekiti Oba Samuel Oyewole Fadahunsi (reign 2002 – 2021)
Kingdom – Ijan Ekiti kingdom
State – Ekiti state, Nigeria
Royal house – Otutubiosun ruling house
Male successor –
Special acknowledgement – Crowned Princess Adetutu Fadahunsi
Photos ; Regent
Regent Oluboropa of Iboropa Akoko, Princess Tinuade Babalola Adejuyigbe
Royal title – Regent Oluboropa (King) of Iboropa (First female regent in iboropa history)
Years served as regent – 2015 (aged 16) – 2021
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Oluboropa of Iboropa Akoko Oba Emmanuel Babalola Adejuyigbe Oro VII (Reigned from 1997-2015)
Kingdom – Iboropa Akoko
State – Ondo state, Nigeria
Royal house – Oro dynsaty
Male successor – Oba Babatunde Olayele
Special acknowledgement – Crowned Princess Tinuade Babalola Adele 1
Instagram Account – officialadele1_of_iboropa
“I was made a regent on the February, 23, 2015, shortly after Oba Emmanuel Ayowole Adejuyigbe, my father, passed on. I had to go through some traditional rites of passage before I was pronounced a regent. At the time, I was a young girl who was trying to get a grip on life. I was an undergraduate, who just got admitted into the university to study Public administration.”– Tribuneonlineng
Photos ; Regent
Regent Olubule of IbuleSoro, Princess Moyinoluwa Falowo
Royal title – Regent Olubule of Ibule Soro
Years served as regent – 2019 aged 24
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Oba Joseph Falowo
Kingdom – Ibulesoro
State – Ondo state, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor –
Photos ; Regent
Regent Alaaye of Aaye, Princess Taiwo Oyebola Agbona
Royal title – Regent Alaaye of Aaye
Years served as regent – 2018 – 2022
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Alaaye of Aaye Oba Agbona Orimori II (died 2017)
Kingdom – Aaye
State – Ondo state, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor –
instagram – Royalbliss
“I am Princess Taiwo Oyebola Agbona. I attended Dynamic International Nursery and Primary School before proceeding to Police Secondary School, Itaogbolu, then to Achievers University, Owo where I studied Medical Laboratory Science(MLS). my father became the king of this town six years ago and he passed away May 4th, 2017, I am the first of five children of my parentsand I am also a twins going by my name, my Kehinde is a male” – the Hope Newspaper
Photos ; Regent
Regent Arujale ojima of Okeluse, Princess Aderonke Adeyeoba
Royal title – Adele of Okeluse Kingdom
Years served as regent – 2019
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Arujale ojima of Okeluse Oba Adeyeoba Abiodun Omomogbe Akinghare I
Kingdom – Okeluse Kingdom
State – Ondo, Nigeria
Royal house – Ojima ruling house
Male successor – younger brother Oba Adeyeoba Oloyede Adekoya, Akinghare II
Instagram – Aderewa
Photos ; Regent
Regent Onirese of Irese, Princess Damilola Falegan
Royal title – Regent Onirese of Irese
Years served as regent –
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late
Kingdom – Irese
State – Ondo state, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor –
Photos ; Regent
Regent Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti, Princess Mofebisola Oyebade
Royal title – Ologotun of Ogotn Ekiti
Years served as regent – 2021 – 2022
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Ologotun of Ogotun Oba Samuel Oladapo Oyedade
Kingdom – Ogotun Ekiti
State – Ekiti, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor – Oba Adebayo Adesanmi
Regent Oluwade of Akunu Akoko, Princess Elizabeth Olayinka Tolani Orogun
Royal title – Oluwade of Akunu Akoko
Years served as regent – 2019 –
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Oba Obasoro (died 2019)
Kingdom/Chiefdom – Akunu Akoko
State – Ondo, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor –
Photos ; Regent
Regent Asin of Iwaro-Oka Akoko, Princess Adekemi Omorinbola
Royal title – Regent Asin of Iwara-Oka Akoko
Years served as regent – 2010 (while in secondary school)
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late
Kingdom/Chiefdom – Iwara-Oka Akoko
State – Ondo state, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor –
Instagram – Regent Adekemi
“I never imagined ascending the throne of my father, but when I was chosen, I didn’t have any choice. I was still in secondary school and it happened on the afternoon of Saturday, January 9, 2010.I was preparing to go for choir practice when I was called and the whole process started that moment. I almost burst into tears, but I was told that I must not cry. They warned me that it has become a taboo for me to do such from the moment I had been chosen to mount the throne. I wasn’t forced to accept communal responsibility. At first, I didn’t know what it entailed. As a teenager, I thought it was just for a period of six months or a maximum of one year and everything would be over.” – The Guardian Nigeria
From the palace of Asin of Oka Akoko
Regent Kalasuwe of Apoi, Princess Joyce Adesola Ibimidun Oladiran Ebiseni
Royal title – Regent Kalasuwe of Apoi
Years served as regent – 2011 (while married) –
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Oba Samuel Adetimehin Oladiran Ugele Udum III (reign 1955 – died 2007)
Kingdom/Chiefdom – Apoi
State –
Royal house –
Male successor –
Instagram – adesolaebiseni
“I graduated from the Federal Polytechnic Ado- Ekiti where I read Business Administration. I later proceeded to the University of Lagos where I studied Political Science. I was appointed twice by the Chairman of Ese – Odo Local Government as Special Adviser on Legislative Matters; Women and Special Duties between 2000 and 2003. The Apois are Yoruba speaking Ijaws, the Apois are a foremost tribe of Immemorial existence found in the Niger Delta spreading from Bayelsa to Ondo State. TheApois has nine principal communities of Sabomi, Oboro, Kiribo, Igbobini, Igbekebo, Inikorogha, Ojuala, Igbotu and Ipoke are a Federation with each having its own Oba with Kalasuwe as paramount ruler.” Taiwos world
Photos ; Regent
Regent Alasa of Ilasa Ekiti, Princess Victoria Jolaade Onipede, Ambassador to the Republic of Congo
Royal title – Regent Alasa of Ilasa Ekiti
Years served as regent – 2012 – 2015
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Alasa of Ilasa Oba Abel Ajibola (reign of 63 years)
Kingdom – Ilasa Ekiti
State – Ekiti, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor – Oba Ajayi Omolagba, Odanaogun IV
Photos ; Courtsey
Regent Alale of Akungba Akoko, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon
Royal title – Regent Alale of
Years served as regent – 2013 – 2016
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late
Kingdom/Chiefdom – Akungba Akoko
State – Ondo, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor – Oba Isaac Sunday Adeyeye, Ajimo III
Photos ; Courtsey
Regent Arinjale of Ise Ekiti, Princess Adenike Omowunmi Adebomi
Royal title – Regent Arinjale of Ise Ekiti
Years served as regent – 1999 – 2001
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late
Kingdom/Chiefdom – Ise Ekiti
State – Ekiti, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor – Oba Adetunji Ayodele David Ajayi
Regent Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Princess Omotunde Adelabu
Royal title – Regent Ewi of Ado Ekiti
Years served as regent – 1988 – 1990
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Ewi of Ado Ekiti Oba (Barr) George Adeyemi Adelabu I (reign 1983 – 1988)
Kingdom – Ado Ekiti
State – Ekiti, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor – Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III
Photos ; Event daily lifestyle
Regent Odopetu of Akure kingdom, Princess Tejumade Falade Adeboye
Royal title – Regent Odopetu of Akure kingdom
Years served as regent – 2020 to 2021 whilst married
Father/High chief she succeeded as regent – Father late
Chiefdom – Odopetu high chief under Akure Kingdom, second in command after Deji(King) of Akure
State – Ondo state, Nigeria
Royal house –
Photos ; Regent
Regent Olisa of Akure, Princess Omotola Adesewa Adegboro
Royal title – Regent Olisa of Lisa, under Akure kingdom
Years served as regent – 2019 – 2021 (1 yr 6 Months)
Father/High chief she succeeded as regent – Olisa High chief olugbenga Williams Amudipe
Chiefdom – Lisa under Akure Kingdom, Olisa (high chief) serves as Prime Minister of Akure Kingdom
State – Ondo, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor – High Chief Femi Sunday Olubodun
Instagram – regentadesewa_adegboro
Photos ; Regent
Regent Elemo of Akure, Princess Abisoye Adedipe
Royal title – Regent Elemo of Akure Kingdom, Elemo is the treasurer of the Iares and the traditional speaker for Akure
Years served as regent – 2013 – 2016
Father/High chief she succeeded as regent – Father late Elemo of Akure High Chief Bolanle Adedipe V (Amororolagba) 1977-2012
Chiefdom – Elemo under Akure kingdom (ranked third in command to the Deji (King) of Akure)
State – Ondo, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor – Olusegun Adedipe VI (Oporua Ademolawe)
Instagram – RegentAbisoye
Photos ; Regent
Regent Osolo of Isolo, Princess Adebusola Oluwatuyi
Royal title – Regent Osolo of Isolo
Years served as regent – 2014 – 2018, 2018 second time –
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late 16th Osolo of Isolo Oba Kayode Oluwatuyi (reign 1979 – 2013)
kingdom – Isolo
State – Akure , Nigeria
Royal house – Abibiri ruling family
Male successor – Oba Edward Kolawola Adejoyegbe Adewole Osalade II (contested)
Instagram – RegentAdebusola
“I am from Abibiri ruling family in Isolo. My father spent 34 years on the throne and I am the first daughter on the throne. We have 4 ruling houses in Isolo. My father, died on September 22nd, 2013, so I came on the throne on October 10, 2013.” – City people magazine
Photos ; Regent
Regent Asaolu of Araromi, Princess Adeola Omotayo Olawale
Royal title -Regent Asaolu of Araromi town, Akure North local government
Years served as regent – 2022 – todate
Father/Monarch she succeeded as regent – Father late Olu of Araromi Oba Olawale Issac Omotayo (reigned 2009 to 2022)
Kingdom – Araromi, Oba ile
State – Ondo, Nigeria
Royal house – Fatoyinbo royal house
Male successor –
Instagram – Regent Adeola
Photos ; Regent
Regent Olu of Ilado Elemo, Princess Oluwafunmilayo Ojo
Royal title – Regent of Ilado Elemo, under Akure Kingdom
Years served as regent – 2018 – 2020
Father/monarch she succeeded as regent – Father late
Chiefdom/kingdom – Ilado Elemo
State – Ondo, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor – Chief Mekaisi Folahan Akinremi
Instagram – Funkygold
Photos ; Regent
Regent Olu of Ademekun, Princess Adelowo Kemisola
Royal title – Regent Olu of Ademekun, under Akure kingdom
Years served as regent –
Father/monarch she succeeded as regent – Father late Olu of Ademekun Oba Aliu Olaniyi Adelowo
Chiefdom/kingdom – Ademekun community under Akure Kingdom
State – Ondo, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor –
Instagram – Regent Adelowo
Photos ; Regent
Regent Oku
Royal title –
Years served as regent –
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late
Kingdom/Chiefdom –
State –
Royal house –
Male successor –
Photos ; Regent
Regent Alarierin of Oke- Ila, Ado Ekiti, Princess Yetunde Atoki Odusola
Royal title – Regent Alarierin of Oke- Ila, Ado Ekiti
Years served as regent – 2013- 2017
Father/High Chief she succeeded as regent – Father late Alarierin of Oke- Ila, Ado-ekiti High chief Michael Adeleye
Chiefdom – Oke Ila community
State – Ekiti, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor – Chief Olatunji Obayemi
Instagram – Regent Yetunde
Photos; Regent
Regent Oloba of Uso, Princess Adekemi Folashade Olijogun Oyinbade
Royal title – Regent Oloba of Uso
Years served as regent – 2011 (aged 30 and married)
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Oloba of Uso Oba Albert Adebayo O. Olanipekun 11
Kingdom/Chiefdom – Uso
State – Ondo, Nigeria
Royal house –
Male successor – Oba Ademola Adebiyi Oyinbade
‘’My father died in September 30, 2011 and I was unanimously picked by the family and the chief makers after consulting the Ifa Oracle .I was installed on the 10th of December 2011 after performing the necessary rites. They placed akoko leaves on my head and gave me some kolanuts to chew while I chanted some incantations .Later I was given the position to sit on the throne of my father and this I believe is temporary.As a community leader and head I have been acting as a man since then .I settle disputes , and offer advise where necessary. However I do all these with the assistance of my chiefs who are more knowledgeable , well versed in culture and they all people of integrity.I appreciate my husband .He is a man of culture ,he treats me like a Regent in the public and gave me the necessary accolades and respect an oba should have .He prostrates for me and calls me kabiyesi . But in our matrimonial home I give him full respect and honour. He was consulted first and he gave me full support.” Taiwos world
Regent Odoka of Ogbaro kingdom, Princess Aderonke Ajimisogbe Efurub
Royal title – Regent Odoka of Ogbaro
Years served as regent – 2010 –
Father/King she succeeded as regent – Father late Odoka of Ogbaro Oba Anthony Olabode Koredatomola Ogbaro (died 2010)
Kingdom/Chiefdom –
State –
Royal house –
Male successor – Oba Obafemi Ogbaro
“My ascension to the throne is through divine intervention. I was not only the contestant, we are many but I was picked by the people of the town and highly supported by the chiefs. They picked me on merit , integrity, respect and dignity .This seat is a revered one and therefore it is a person of high integrity that they really want to be there. To qualify as a Regent here one must come from the family of Ogbaro Kingdom or related to the family. My children are now calling me ‘Daddy” – Taiwos world
Regent of Abusoro, Princess Dupe Afe
under Akure kingdom
Regent of Osupa, Princess Odunola Afolarin
under Akure kingdom
We honour them for their sacrifice and royal service to their communities.
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