# Oba of Lagos

The Oba of Lagos, also known as the Eleko of Eko, is the traditional ruler (Oba) of Lagos.
The Oba is a ceremonial Yoruba sovereign with no political power, but is sought as a counsel or sponsor by politicians who seek support from the residents of Lagos, the financial heart of Nigeria and the largest city in Africa. The Oba has appeared in tourism advertisements on behalf of the city, often stating "You've gotta go to Lagos", among various other ceremonial roles.
The current Oba of Lagos is Rilwan Akiolu, who has held the title since 2003.

## History

All Obas of Lagos trace their lineage to Ashipa - an Awori, a war captain of the Oba of Benin. Ashipa was rewarded with the title of the Oloriogun (War leader) and he received the Oba of Benin's sanction to govern Lagos on his behalf. Ashipa received a sword and royal drum as symbols of his authority from the Oba of Benin on his mission to Lagos. Additionally, the Oba of Benin deployed a group of Benin officers charged with preserving Benin's interests in Lagos. These officers, led by Eletu Odibo, were the initial members of the Akarigbere class of Lagos White Cap Chiefs. Prior to the arrival of the British, the Oba of Benin had "the undisputed right to crown or confirm the individual whom the people of Lagos elect[ed] to be their King".
Tributes continue to flow the way of Benin from Lagos island for many years until around the year 1830 when Lagos stopped it. By this time, the status of Lagos as an independent power in its own right had risen tremendously and it had become too strong to be attacked. The King of Benin therefore had to be content with occasional gifts which were no longer given as obligatory tribute, but rather, as an act of historical sentiment.
The defeat of Oba Kosoko by British forces on 28 December 1851, in what is now known as the Bombardment of Lagos or Reduction of Lagos, or locally as Ogun Ahoyaya or Ogun Agidingbi (literally meaning "boiling cannons"), eventually put an end to all forms of tributary (sentimential or official) and Lagos' former allegiance to the Oba of Benin.
Kosoko was therefore the last Lagos Oba to engage in any form of sentimental gifting from the people of Lagos to the Oba of Benin. Oba Akitoye, who was re-installed to the throne by the British, "seized the opportunity of his restoration under British protection to repudiate his former allegiance" to Benin and rebuffed subsequent tribute requests from the Oba of Benin.
Previous rulers of Lagos have used the titles of Ologun (derived from Oloriogun), Eleko and, most recently, Oba of Lagos.

## The Royal Seat

The official residence of the king, since 1630, is Iga Idunganran, a castle renovated by the Portuguese over the course of close to a century. It is today a very popular tourist site.

## List of Obas of Lagos
### House of Ashipa - (Ashipa dynasty)

| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family |
| Ashipa | 1621-1636(?) | ----- | ----- | A local Awori chieftain from Isheri. Founder of Lagos dynasty of Kings, but not crowned as an Oba of Lagos | House of Olofin |
| Ado | | 1636 | 1669 | 1st Oba. The son of Ashipa | House of Ashipa |
| Gabaro | | 1669 | 1704 | 2nd Oba. The son of Ado. | House of Ashipa |
| Eletu KekereEletu Omo | | 1704 | 1704 | 3rd Oba. The only son of Gabaro, nephew to Akinsemoyin. His reign was so brief that it is barely acknowledged by most historians and is sometimes omitted all together. Sources of him being actually crowned an Oba in Lagos are scanty. Not much is known of his reign other than him dying intestate (without an heir). | House of Ashipa |
| Akinsemoyin | | 1704 | 1749 | 4th Oba. Another son of Ado, a brother to Gabaro and uncle to Eletu Kekere. Longest reigning Oba in Lagos to date (45 years). He created the Eletu Omo chieftaincy in the Akarigbere class in commemoration of his predecessor. His time marked the end of the Ashipa dynasty through the paternal line of descent. | House of Ashipa |

### House of Alagbigba (Alaagba) - Ologunkutere dynasty

| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family |
| Ologun KutereOlogun Kuture | d. 1775 | 1749 | 1775 | 5th Oba. Son of the union between Erelu Kuti daughter of Ado and Alaagba, an Ijesha resident chieftain in Lagos who also served as Babalawo to Oloye (chief) Aromire, and later Akinsemoyin. The Lagos royal dynasty shifts to a line of descent through the matrilineal pedigree of Erelu Kuti. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Adele Ajosun | d. 1837 | 1775 | 1780 | 6th Oba. Second son of Ologun Kutere. First reign. He would return again and reign for a second time as the 10th Oba for two years. Throughout his first reign, he was constantly threatened by his brother Eshinlokun for the title of Oba which he felt should have been his. He fell out with the chiefs and was deposed in 1780. He then left for Badagry with his mother and the skull of his father, Ologun Kutere. | Alaagba dynasty |
| OṣinlokunEshinlokun | d.1819 | 1780 | 1819 | 7th Oba. Son of Ologun Kutere and elder brother to Adele Ajosun. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Idewu OjulariIdowu Ojulari | d. 1832 | 1819 | 1832 | 8th Oba. Son of Oshinlokun. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Adele Ajosun | d. 1834 | 1832 | 1834 | 9th Oba. Return of Adele Ajosun who reigned first as the 6th Oba. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Oluwole | d. 1841 | 1834 | 1841 | 10th Oba. The son of Adele. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Akitoye | d. 1853 | 1841 | 1845 | 11th Oba, Son of Ologun kKutere. First reign. He would return again and reign for a second time as the 13th Oba. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Kosoko | d.1872 | 1845 | 1851 | 12th Oba, a son of Osinlokun and brother to Idewu Ojulari. | Alaagba dynasty |
| AkitoyeAkintoye | | 1851 | 1853 | 13th Oba. Second reign. Return of Akintoye who would reign for a further two years. | Alaagba dynasty |
| DosunmuDocemo | 1823-1885 62 Years | 1853 | 1885 | 14th Oba, Son of Akintoye. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Oyekan I | 1854-1900 46 Years | 1885 | 1900 | 15th Oba, a son of Dosunmu. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Eshugbayi ElekoEleko | 1860-1932 72 Years | 1901 | 1925 | 16th Oba, a son of Dosunmu. First reign. He would return to reign as the 19th Oba. He supported the educated elite of Lagos led by Prince Oluwa and Herbert Macaulay in their struggle against British colonialism. He was exiled to Oyo in 1925. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Ibikunle Akitoye | d.1928 | 1925 | 1928 | 17th Oba, a grandson of Oba Akintoye. First christian Oba. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Sanusi Olusi | | 1928 | 1931 | 18th Oba, a grandson of Oba Akintoye. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Eshugbayi Eleko | 1860-1932 72 Years | 1931 | 1932 | 19th Oba. Return of Eshugbayi Eleko who would go on to reign for one year . | Alaagba dynasty |
| Falolu Dosunmu | d.1949 | 1932 | 1949 | 20th Oba | Alaagba dynasty |
| Adeniji Adele | 1893 - 1964 70 Years | 1949 | 1964 | 21st Oba. Grandson of Adele Ajosun | Alaagba dynasty |
| Oyekan II | 1911 - 2003 91 Years | 1965 | 2003 | 22nd Oba. Grandson of Oyekan I. | Alaagba dynasty |
| Rilwan Akiolu | 1943 Age 80 | 2003 | Incumbent | 23rd Oba. | Alaagba dynasty |