Ancient & Pre-Colonial Nigeria
Histories of Nigerian kingdoms, empires, trade routes, and cultures before colonial rule, including Nok, Benin, Oyo, Sokoto, and Kanem-Bornu.
The Reign of Olowo Adeoye Ajike Atanneye II in Colonial Owo
In the long and respected history of the Owo Kingdom, some reigns stand out for their length, achievements, or conflicts, while others remain quiet,...
Bantè in Benin, A Yoruba Heartland Beyond Nigeria’s Borders
Bantè is one of the most significant Yoruba-speaking centres in the Republic of Benin. Located in central Benin, it lies in the north-western part...
Inside the Yoruba Ogo System of Forcing Payment
In Yoruba society, debt could move quickly beyond a private disagreement between two people. Once a person failed to repay what he owed, the...
Ile-Ife and the Rise of Yoruba Origin Traditions
Any strong historical account of Yoruba origins begins with Ile, Ife. Across oral tradition, royal institutions, and early written history, Ife stands as the...
Ogboni in Yoruba History, The Council of Elders That Balanced Power and Sacred Authority
Among the historic institutions of Yorubaland, few have attracted as much fascination as the Ogboni. Often portrayed in modern imagination as a secret society...
The Historic Visit of Oba Gbadebo I to Britain in 1904
In 1904, Oba Gbadebo I, the Alake of Abeokuta, travelled to Britain during a period when the Egba state was negotiating its place within...
Arimoro of Ilesa, The Warrior in the Shadow of the Kiriji War
The nineteenth century was one of the most turbulent periods in the history of Yorubaland. The decline of the old Oyo Empire opened the...
The Peace Cord of Yorubaland
In nineteenth century Yorubaland, diplomacy did not always depend on written letters. Long before colonial administration expanded written correspondence, Yoruba communities already possessed a...
Lisabi and the Egba Revolt, The Farmer Leader Who Helped Break Oyo Power in Egbaland
Lisabi occupies a central place in the history and memory of the Egba people of southwestern Nigeria. Among the Egba, he is remembered as...
The Arrival of Dr. George and Lydia Green in Ogbomoso
On March 18, 1907, Dr. George Green and his wife, Lydia Green, arrived in Ogbomoso to begin Baptist medical work in the town. Their...