Kingdoms & Monarchies

Founded c. 1340 by Ojugbelu, a son of Oduduwa. Owo's court art (Owo bronzes, the *Igogo* festival ivories) is uniquely hybrid Ife–Benin. Reigning: HRM Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III (since 2019). Era I/III: Benin Kingdom · Ife & Oduduwa

Founded 12th c.; among the oldest Yoruba thrones.

Akoko-Yoruba kingdoms.

Riverine Ilaje stools; chronic land disputes.

South-coast kingdoms.

• Akinjogbin (ed.), *War and Peace in Yorubaland 1793–1893* (1998).
• Eyo & Willett, *Treasures of Ancient Nigeria* (1980) — on Owo bronzes.
• Falola & Genova, *Yoruba Identity and Power Politics* (2006).

• [Principal historic polity — TBC] → [1900 Native Authority — TBC] → [1976 LGA — TBC] → [today's Federal Constituency — TBC]
• [Secondary polity / sub-emirate / clan — TBC] → [1900 NA — TBC] → [1976 LGA — TBC] → [today's Federal Constituency — TBC]
• [Minority / highland / clan throne — TBC] → [1900 NA — TBC] → [1976 LGA — TBC] → [today's Federal Constituency — TBC]

*Each row is a unit of continuous administrative life — the same population, in the same district, under successive labels. Read across to see what the British Native Authority captured, what Murtala's 1976 LGA reform redrew, and what today's Federal Constituency makes electorally visible. TBC = to be confirmed from the state's chieftaincy gazette, NA Ordinance files (NAK / NAI), and the INEC delimitation map.*

In Yoruba custom the consort of a crowned Oba is an Olori (plural *Olori*; the senior consort is often distinguished as *Olori Agba* or *Yeye Oba*). The office is customary, not hereditary: an Olori acquires no right of succession, cannot act as regent, and her title lapses on the Oba's death, when she passes into the class of *ayaba* (widowed queens) attached to the palace. Where an Oba has several Olori, precedence follows date of marriage rather than seniority of birth. Distinct from the Olori — and often more powerful — are the *female chieftaincy* offices: Iyalode (paramount woman chief, with her own court and market jurisdiction), Iyaloja (head of the markets), Erelu and Yeye Oge. These are appointed, salaried in kind, and survive an Oba's death.

Ondo State holds the strongest independent female monarchy in the federation: the Lobun of Ondo — a woman, installed by the Ondo women's council, who alone can crown the Osemawe of Ondo. No Osemawe is legitimate until the Lobun has performed the installation; the office is filled from the market women's leadership and outlives every Osemawe it crowns. Alongside it the Ondo Kingdom maintains the *Opoji* female chieftaincy line. The Deji of Akure, Olowo of Owo, Olugbo of Ugbo, Olubaka of Oka and Jegun of Idepe courts follow the standard Olori pattern.