*See the kingdom and monarch entries cross-referenced in the Regional Record — protests, looted treasures, oil-boom delivery and failure, militarisation and police brutality keyed to the same Houses.*
*★ pivotal pre-colonial polity · ♀ confirmed female office.*
1. Alaafin of Oyo — Oyo Kingdom ★#
Founded c. 13th c. by Oranmiyan; Old Oyo sacked c. 1835; New Oyo founded c. 1837 by Alaafin Atiba. The Alaafin was historically primus inter pares of the Yoruba kings before the Ooni of Ife was elevated. Reigning: Throne vacant since the death of Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III (22 Apr 2022); selection process under Oyo Mesi. Era I/III: Old Oyo Empire
Consorts, Iya-Oba and Iyamode of the Alaafin of Oyo#
*Classical Oyo distinguished the Alaafin's biological mother (Iya-Oba), his ritual mother (Iyamode, custodian of the Oranmiyan shrine), and his many wives (Ayaba). The Iya-Oba historically commanded more political weight at court than any single Ayaba.*
Iya-Oba of Alaafin Atiba (fl. c. 1837–1859)#
Held the office at the founding of New Oyo (Ago-d'Oyo). Her household at the new palace organised the resettlement of the displaced Old Oyo nobility.
Iya-Oba of Alaafin Lawani Agogo-Ija (fl. 1905–1911)#
Court records (Ibadan NA, 1908) list her as the senior advisor present at the 1908 audience with Governor Walter Egerton.
Olori Memunat Adeyemi (d. 1992)#
Senior Ayaba of Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (r. 1970–2022). Mother of Prince Adekola Adeyemi.
Olori Folake Adeyemi (d. 2022)#
Most publicly visible of Alaafin Adeyemi III's wives in his late reign. Died within months of the Alaafin in 2022. Founded the Alaafin's Schools support fund.
Olori Anu Adeyemi, Olori Rahmat, Olori Damilola Adeyemi#
Three of the eighteen Ayaba documented in the Alaafin's household at the time of his death in April 2022. The dispersal of the Ayaba and the contested guardianship of their children is part of the ongoing succession dispute before the Oyo Mesi. *Source: Tribune Online, The Nation (Lagos), Premium Times (2022–2024).*
2. Olubadan of Ibadan — Ibadan ★#
Founded c. 1829 as a war-camp of Oyo refugees under Lagelu (legendary founder) and refounded by Maye Okunade and Lakanle. Ibadan's Iyalode ♀ — the title held famously by Madam Tinubu and Iyalode Efunsetan Aniwura — is one of the highest female chieftaincies in Yoruba history. Reigning: HIM Olubadan Owolabi Olakulehin (since 12 July 2024).
3. Soun of Ogbomosho — Ogbomosho Kingdom#
Founded c. 1650 by Soun Ogunlola; refuge for Old Oyo refugees.
4. Olu Iwo of Iwo / Aseyin of Iseyin / Alaketu of Ketu-Imeko#
Western Oyo / Egbado-frontier stools. The Alaketu of Ketu was historically the founder-stool of the Ketu Yoruba of present-day Benin Republic.
5. Onpetu of Ijero / Eleruwa of Eruwa / Bale of Saki#
District stools across Oke-Ogun.
6. Iyalode of Ibadan ♀ / Iya-Oba / Iyamode (Oyo)#
Senior female offices; the Iya-Oba at the Alaafin's court was, in classical Oyo, often the most influential figure in the kingdom.
Sources & further reading#
- Law, *The Oyo Empire c. 1600–c. 1836* (1977).
- Falola & Heaton, *A History of Nigeria* (2008) Ch. 3.
- Awe, *Iyalode in the Traditional Yoruba Political System* (1977).