Ogbomosho, also known as Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́, stands today as one of the most prominent towns in the northern part of Oyo State. Its beginnings were shaped by movement, survival, and the need for security in a frontier environment. Rather than emerging suddenly, the area developed gradually as people settled, interacted, and organised themselves within a forested landscape influenced by the wider Old Oyo political world.
Early accounts describe the location as part of a frontier zone that attracted settlement because of its position and relative safety. Over time, the land became a meeting point for hunters, settlers, and leaders, forming the base from which a lasting town would emerge.
Ogunlola, The Hunter Who United a Settlement
Among the figures remembered in Ogbomosho’s origin story, Ogunlola stands out as the most influential. He is remembered as a skilled hunter whose presence brought structure and leadership to an already occupied area. His arrival is traditionally placed in the mid seventeenth century, a period when hunting, mobility, and frontier life defined many Yoruba communities.
Ogunlola is remembered as being of Ibariba descent, and his wife is known in tradition as Esuu. Together, they settled near a prominent tree that would become one of Ogbomosho’s most enduring symbols.
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The Ajagbon Tree and the Birth of a Settlement Core
Central to Ogbomosho’s memory is the Ajagbon tree, located near the present palace area. Ogunlola is said to have used the tree as a base, hanging hunting tools from its branches and building a shelter nearby. Over time, this location grew into the settlement’s main gathering point, where people met to rest, share food, and discuss communal matters.
The Ajagbon site did not exist in isolation. It became important because it drew together people who were already living in nearby parts of the forest, turning scattered presence into shared space.
The Other Early Settlers and Their Quarters
Ogbomosho’s early history includes the presence of other settlers whose camps later became recognised quarters of the town. These figures are remembered not as rivals, but as co builders of the community.
Aale settled in the area later known as Oke Elerin, a place associated with elephant hunting. Onisile occupied Ijeru. Orisatolu settled at Isapa. Akandie established himself in the area that later bore his name. Smoke rising from different parts of the forest marked these early settlements, signalling that life and activity already existed before consolidation began.
Over time, these settlers and their followers came together, recognising the benefits of unity and shared leadership.
Egbe Alongo, Defence, Discipline, and Survival
Life on the frontier demanded organisation. Ogbomosho’s early settlers formed Egbe Alongo, a defence league that combined military readiness with social discipline. The group functioned as both a protective force and a hunter association, responsible for security, cooperation, and enforcement of communal decisions.
Egbe Alongo played a key role in ensuring the settlement’s survival. Through collective action, the community defended itself against threats and created an environment where families, farmers, and craftsmen could settle without constant fear.
From Shared Leadership to Kingship
As Ogbomosho expanded, leadership became more formal. Ogunlola’s influence grew as his role shifted from hunter leader to central authority figure. Disputes were settled, decisions were made, and communal norms were enforced from the settlement core near the Ajagbon tree.
Over generations, this leadership structure evolved into kingship. The ruler of Ogbomosho came to be known as the Soun, reflecting the town’s growth from a frontier settlement into a recognised political entity. Earlier forms of leadership gradually gave way to a more established monarchy, aligning Ogbomosho with wider Yoruba political traditions.
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Growth, Stability, and Attraction
Ogbomosho’s growth followed a clear pattern. Security attracted people. Organisation encouraged permanence. Leadership created trust. Farmers, hunters, traders, and craftsmen settled, expanding the town’s population and influence.
What began as a forest frontier became a stable town, and eventually a centre of regional importance. The foundations laid by early settlers ensured that Ogbomosho could endure periods of change and conflict without losing its identity.
Why the Story Endures
The story of Ogbomosho is not simply about origins. It is about how communities are formed through cooperation, how leadership emerges through service, and how unity transforms scattered lives into a lasting society.
Names such as Ogunlola, Esuu, Aale, Onisile, Orisatolu, and Akandie remain part of the town’s memory because they represent the human choices that shaped Ogbomosho’s destiny.
Author’s Note
Ogbomosho’s journey from forest frontier to enduring town shows that strength is built through unity, shared protection, and leadership rooted in service. The town’s past reminds us that communities last when people choose cooperation over isolation and purpose over fear.
References
Samuel Johnson, The History of the Yorubas, CMS Bookshop, Lagos
Akinjogbin, I. A., Yoruba Warfare in the Nineteenth Century, Cambridge University Press
Ogbomosho Palace Historical Records and Oral Traditions
B. A. Agiri, scholarly study on the founding and early political development of Ogbomosho
O. Yemisi, journal study on the Alongo Defence League and early settlers of Ogbomosho
