Traditional Kings in Nigeria

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 gemerally for Yorubas and used as a prefix before their name but there are specific titles for specific monarchies
  • Igwe – King, is generally used for Igbo Kings and used as a prefix before their name but there are specific titles for specific monarchies
  • Amayanabo –
  • Sarkin/Shehu/Emir -King used for the islamic emirates Hausa Fulani in Northern Nigeria –
  • 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, 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 Christian king 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

  1. Alaafin of Oyo
  2. Abepa of Joga
  3. Aku Uka of Wukari, Kwararafa kingdom, Jukun people
  4. Ad’Ogbadibo of Orokam
  5. Abodu of Ikale
  6. Akarigbo of Remo
  7. Alayetoro of Ayetoro Ekiti
  8. Alaketu of Ketu
  9. Alapomu of Apomu
  10. Alara of Ilara
  11. Alake of Egbaland (also known as Egba Ake)
  12. Attah of Igala
  13. Amanyanabo of Kalabari
  14. Amanyanabo of Boony (Ubani)
  15. Amanyanabo of Opobo
  16. Ataoja of Osogbo
  17. Awujale of Ijebu
  18. Arujale of Okeluse
  19. Adokun of Igan-Okoto
  20. Alademeso of Igan-Alade
  21. Amayanabo of Opobo
  22. Amanyanabo of Ogbolomabiri, Nembe Kingdom of Izon people
  23. Amanyanabo of Bassambiri, Nembe Kingdom of Izon people
  24. Amanyanabo of Okpoama, Nembe Kingdom of Izon people
  25. Amanyanabo of Odioama, Nembe Kingdom of Izon people
  26. Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Nembe Kingdom of Izon people
  27. Amayanabo of Ke
  28. Amanyanabo of Okochiri
  29. Amayanabo of Sangana
  30. Amayanabo of Ogu
  31. Agwam of Atyap people
  32. Agwam Bajju of Bajju people
  33. Agwam Fantswam of Fantswam (Kafanchan) people
  34. Agwam Asholyio of Moroa, Asholyio people
  35. Are of Eggon people
  36. Aidonogie of south Ibie, Afemai People
  37. Agom adara of Adara people
  38. Akan of Badagry
  39. Agura of Gbagura
  40. Alani of Ido Ani
  41. Ayangburen of Ikorodu
  42. Aladegunshebi of Odoragunshen
  43. Alabirun of Ikaare
  44. Aholu of Ajido
  45. Adeboruwa of Igbogbo
  46. Alabirun of Ikaare
  47. Alajede of Ijede
  48. Alado of Ado
  49. Alaye-Ode of Ode Remo
  50. Alakenne of Ikenne
  51. Adokun of Igan-Okoto
  52. Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife
  53. Akija of Ikija-Ijebu
  54. Alaiye of Odogbolu
  55. Agbowu of Ogbaagbaa
  56. Amananaowei of Tombia
  57. Ad’Igede of Igede people
  58. Agaba of Izhia
  59. Adedugbe Jegun of Ile-Oluji
  60. Ajobu of Araromi-Obu
  61. Abodi of Ikoya
  62. Asigangan of Igangan
  63. Aseyin of Iseyin
  64. Alepata of Igboho
  65. Atar Aten of Ganawuri Riyom
  66. Agwom Izere of Izere
  67. Bra Ngwe Irigwe of Irigwe people
  68. Chun of Mada people
  69. Chun of Gudi
  70. Dein of Agbor
  71. Deji of Akure
  72. Dagburewe of Idowa
  73. Da Gwom Rwey of Vwang
  74. Elegushi of Ikate
  75. Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha
  76. Ebenanaowei of Gbarain
  77. Ebenanaowei of Tuomo
  78. Ebenanaowei of Oporomor
  79. Ebenanaowei of Kumbowei
  80. Ebenanaowei of Oyakiri
  81. Elemuren of Emuren
  82. Elejinrin of Ejinrin
  83. Ewi of Ado-Ekiti
  84. Etsu of Nupe people (also known as Emir of Bida)
  85. Etsu of Lapai
  86. Emir of Kano
  87. Emir of Bichi
  88. Emir of Zazzau (also known as Emir of Zaria)
  89. Emir of Daura
  90. Emir of Gombe
  91. Emir of Borgu
  92. Emir of Fika
  93. Emir of Biu
  94. Emir of Gwandu
  95. Emir of Gusau
  96. Emir of Gumel
  97. Emir of Potiskum
  98. Emir of Patigi
  99. Emir of Misau
  100. Emir of Lafiagi
  101. Emir of Lafia
  102. Emir of Jama’are
  103. Emir of Rano
  104. Emir of Nasarawa
  105. Emir of Katsina
  106. Emir of Kazaure
  107. Emir of Damaturu
  108. Emir of Jajere
  109. Emir of Hadejia
  110. Emir of Zamfara
  111. Emir of Mubi
  112. Emir of Agaie (also known as Etsu Agaie)
  113. Emir of Kebbi (also known as Argungu)
  114. Emir of Suleja
  115. Emir of Bade
  116. Emir of Bauchi
  117. Emir of Ilorin
  118. Emir of Birnin Gwari
  119. Emir of Gujba
  120. Emir of Kagara
  121. Emir of Katagum
  122. Emir of Keffi
  123. Emir of Lere
  124. Emir of Muri Taraba
  125. Emir of Machina
  126. Emir of Ningi
  127. Emir of Yauri
  128. Emir of Wase
  129. Emir of Kanam
  130. Emir of Bungudu
  131. Emir of Bakura
  132. Emir of Tsafe
  133. Emir of Bukkuyum
  134. Emir of Birnin
  135. Emir of Talata-Mafara
  136. Emir of Kaura-Namoda
  137. Ere of Koro Wachi people
  138. Eburu of Iba
  139. Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye
  140. Elewo of Ilewo
  141. Eze Obi of Orodo
  142. Eze and Igwe – used by most Igbo people kings
  143. Eze of Enugwu Auleri
  144. Eze of Nri
  145. Ezhie of Ezhionum
  146. Ebu of Umuebu
  147. Eze of Ngwa
  148. Eze Edem of Edem
  149. Eze Ekpeye Logbo of Ekpeye
  150. Eze of Eri
  151. Eze Igwete of Amai
  152. Eze of Abia
  153. Eze of Umuanunu
  154. Eze of Olaukwu
  155. Eze of Irete
  156. Eze of Eziokele
  157. Eze of Amaifeke
  158. Eze Okiruru of Umudioka
  159. Ezediohanma of Umukpa Alike
  160. Eze Ezikochi of Awaka
  161. Ezeudo of Nguru Nwekeoha
  162. Eze Ogwu of Ogwuama
  163. Eze Umara of Adakam Amumara
  164. Eze Uri of Uri Amaimo
  165. Eze of Ngor
  166. Ezeoha of Eziobodo
  167. Eze Chidiebube of Egbelu Obube
  168. Eze Ihemefulen of Umuonyima Owerri
  169. Eze Ononenyi of Ozuh Omuma
  170. Eze Obi of Nkume
  171. Eze Obodo of Assa
  172. Eze Igwe Ohazurumee Of Nneato-Ochasi
  173. Eze Otachirioha of Ossemoto
  174. Eze Isiala of Isiala Umudi
  175. Ezeudo of Mgbidi
  176. Eze Akanigbo Of Umuakam
  177. Eze Ekiti of Ekitti Afor Abba
  178. Eze of Awada Iheme Izuogu
  179. Eze Ebubedike of Awo-Idemmili
  180. Eze Obi of Isu Njaba
  181. Eze Egwelle Diohanma of Umuduru
  182. Eze Nlogho of Umulogho
  183. Eze Ojiwuru Obodo of Anara
  184. Eze Ihi of Umuihi
  185. Eze Agu of Iheoma Gazoo Of Amagu
  186. Ezeoha of Okwuato
  187. Eze Anekwu of Eziowa
  188. Eze of Umuagna
  189. Eze of Isuokoma
  190. Eze Ezu of Ikem ivite Nando
  191. Esu of Karu
  192. Esu of Bwari
  193. Gara of Donga
  194. Gbong Gwom of Jos, Berom people
  195. Gbegande of Ososa
  196. Ibedawei of Akassa
  197. Ibedawei of Bilabiri
  198. Igwe of Nnewi (also has the title Obi of Otolo)
  199. Igwe Duru of Orlu
  200. Igwe of Ugbo Igbo
  201. Igwe of Ekoli
  202. Igwe of Ndeaboh
  203. Igwe of Aji
  204. Igwe Omashi of Iwollo
  205. Iralepo of Isinkan
  206. King of Emu
  207. Kpop of Ham people
  208. Long of Gamai/ Goemai people
  209. Lamido of Adamawa
  210. Lamido of Gassol
  211. Limeri of Awa
  212. Moyegeso of Itele
  213. Magajiya (Queen) of Kubwada – ruled by women only
  214. Maiyaki of Kupa
  215. Mai of Tula people
  216. Ngolong of Ngas people
  217. Negbuwa of Ibido
  218. Ooni of Ife – considered seniormost King of all Yoruba people
  219. Oba of Benin kingdom, Edo people
  220. Obong of Calabar, Efik people, also traditionally was known as Edidem of Akwa Akpa until 1903
  221. Olugbo of Ugbo – Richest King in Nigeria
  222. Olu of Warri (Iwerre), Itsekiri people
  223. Obi of Onitsha
  224. Oba of Lagos (lagos was traditionally called Eko)
  225. Ojomu of Ajiran
  226. Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland
  227. Ogoga of Ikere/Ikere-Ekiti
  228. Oluwo of Iwo
  229. Olowo of Owo
  230. Olowu of Owu
  231. Olowu of Owu Kuta
  232. Obi of ,Issele Uku
  233. Olugbon of Orile-Igbon
  234. Olubadan of Ibadan
  235. Oniru of Iru
  236. Onisolu of Solu alade
  237. Olofa of Offa
  238. Oloto of Oto Awori
  239. Olowu of Igbara Oke
  240. Onisabe of Igbobi Sabe
  241. Olufon of Ifon
  242. Odemo of Isara
  243. Oliyere of Iyere
  244. Onipokia of Ipokia
  245. Owaloko of Iloko Ijesha
  246. Oluboropa of Iboropa
  247. Och’Idoma of Idoma people
  248. Ohinoyi of Ebira people/ Ebiraland
  249. Obi of the Idumeje-Unor
  250. Onojie of Urohi
  251. Onojie of Uromi
  252. Onigbeji of Igbeji
  253. Olojo of Ojo
  254. Oloja of Igbesa
  255. Oloto of Oto Awori
  256. Ololo of Ijofin
  257. Otaru of Auchi, Afemai people
  258. Okumagbe of Weppa Wanno (Agenebode), Afemai people
  259. Ogieneni of Uzairue (Jattu), Afemai People
  260. Oba of Agbede, Afemai People
  261. Otaru of Igarra, Afemai People
  262. Obi of Ubulu Uku
  263. Obi of Owa
  264. Olila-ebhugh of Abureni
  265. Oliola of Anegbette,
  266. Okumagbe of Iuleha clan,
  267. Okuopellagbe of Okpella 
  268. Olofin Adimula Oodua of Ado Odo
  269. Olomu of Igbomina
  270. Oniroko of Iroko
  271. Osana of Keana
  272. Osile of Oke Ona
  273. Orodje of Okpe, Urhobo people
  274. Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo, Urhobo people
  275. Ovie of Uvwie, Urhobo people
  276. Ovie of Ughelli, Urhobo people
  277. Ovie of Evwreni, Urhobo people
  278. Ovie of Agbon, Urhobo people
  279. Ovie of Umiaghwa Abraka 
  280. Osuivie of Agbarho, Urhobo people
  281. Okpara Uku of Orogun, Urhobo people
  282. Ohworode of Olomu, Urhobo people
  283. Ozuruigbo of Owerri
  284. Onochi-Eze of Umutu
  285. Olu of Ikeja
  286. Onisiwo of Abagbo & Tomaro
  287. Olu Agege of Agege
  288. Onigando of Igando
  289. Ojon of Ejigbo
  290. Oba Shomolu of Somolu
  291. Oba of Egbeda
  292. Oba of Oworonshoki and Kosofe
  293. Oba of Odi-Olowo
  294. Oloja of Epe
  295. Onibeju of Ibeju
  296. Onise of Ise
  297. Orijeru of Igbooye
  298. Onigbanko of Igbankoland
  299. Onilado of Ilado and Inagbe Island
  300. Onijanikin of Ijanikin
  301. Ofori of Ibeshe
  302. Osolu of Irewe
  303. Obateru of Egbin
  304. Olubeshe of Ibeshe
  305. Onidogo of Idogo
  306. Olu of Ijale Ketu
  307. Ooye of Iwoye Ketu
  308. Ogidimadagbo of Ilodo Ijebu
  309. Onipara of Ipara
  310. Ologere of Ogere
  311. Olomu of Omu
  312. Olobi of Ilobi
  313. Oniboro of Iboro
  314. Oloja of Igbesa
  315. Ololo of Ijofin
  316. Oniko of Ikolaje
  317. Onidofa of Idofa
  318. Onimeko of Imeko
  319. Olubara of Ibara
  320. Omola of Imala
  321. Onisaga of Isaga.
  322. Oniro of Iro
  323. Onilogbo of Ilogbo
  324. Olu of Ifo
  325. Onijale of Ijale – Papa
  326. Olu of Itori
  327. Olu of Afowowa Sogade
  328. Olu of Orile-Igbore
  329. Onikoko of Koko-Ebiye
  330. Onitele of Itele
  331. Olu of Akinale
  332. Onipe of Ibu-Arijan
  333. Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo
  334. Obiri of Idobiri
  335. Olu of Odosenlu Alaro
  336. Oru of Imoru
  337. Olupele of Ipele
  338. Oloba of Uso
  339. Olupemen of Ipemen
  340. Ojomoluda of Ijebu Owo
  341. Oliworo of Iworo
  342. Obenibe of Epie
  343. Odio-Logbo of Okugbe Isoko
  344. Olisua of Isua
  345. Olofun of Irele
  346. Owa of Idanre
  347. Olubaka of Oka
  348. Onigbeti Of Igbeti
  349. Okere of Saki
  350. Onpetu of Ijeru
  351. Peremobowei of Kabowei
  352. Pere of Olodiama
  353. Pere of Gbaramatu
  354. Pere of Ogbe Ijoh Warri
  355. Pere of Isaba
  356. Pere of Akugbene Mein
  357. Paramount Ruler of Koromotoru
  358. Paramount ruler of Efuts
  359. Paramount ruler of the Quas
  360. Paramount ruler of the Yakurr
  361. Paramount ruler of Ogoja
  362. Paramount ruler of Obudu
  363. Paramount ruler of Bekwarra
  364. Paramount ruler of Obanliku
  365. Paramount ruler of Boki
  366. Paramount ruler of Yala
  367. Ponzhi of Tarok people
  368. Ranodu of Imota
  369. Rebuja Of Osooro
  370. Sultan of Sokoto
  371. Soun of Ogbomoso
  372. Shehu of Borno
  373. Shehu of Dikwa
  374. Sa Gbayi of Gbayi people (also known as Etsu of Chikun)
  375. Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora
  376. Sabiganna of Iganna
  377. Saf of Ron Kulere
  378. Tor Tiv or Begha u Tiv of Tiv people
  379. Timi of Ede
  380. Rekna of Bashar, Yankam people
  381. Ukor of Ihievbe, Afemai people
  382. Utu Ugo Kiche of Rukuba
  383. Ugo Namap of Amo
  384. Ujah of Anaguta
  385. Yangede of Epe

List incomplete

Regency

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/

https://www.facebook.com/AGEGETV/photos/list-of-the-77-ranking-yoruba-obas-in-ogun-statethe-ogun-state-ministry-of-local/2562671013843046/

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