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12 Longest Ruling Kings in Nigerian History
The longest ruling kings in Nigerian history are the key figures, the pillar of the structure of the modern Nigerian society and this article
The longest-ruling kings in Nigerian history are the key figures, the pillar of the structure of modern Nigerian society. Just like every country or civilization, there are people who hold the society in balance like the kings, queens, the royals, or the elites.
While kings are worshipped like gods or vice-gods, Western control, however, came and messed up societies while trying to control the order of things in a bid to gain sovereignty. Blame or thank them for shaking up things in the name of greed. Some argue that if African empires like Benin, Oyo, and Sokoto hadn’t been influenced by the West, they might still exist today, developing slowly, perhaps with a touch of their old ways but surviving as independent states.
Additionally, spending a long time on the throne is not just as easy as it seems. The longest-ruling kings in Nigeria during their reign as kings had to endure a lot of things and be confined to a lot of rules. Likewise, though the position occupied offered a lot of benefits, it however has its own fair percentage shares of trouble.
In this article we will take a look at some of the longest-serving kings in Nigerian history, knowing some of these rulers served in a period of colonial influence and a crude period that was marred with killings to gain more control in a bid to expand their territories.
1. Agbogidi Obi James Anyasi II – 66 years (1946 – 2013)
Obi James Anyasi II is considered the longest-serving king in Nigeria’s history. He is the Obi of Idumuje Unor a town situated in the Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Obi Anyasi II was born on the 6th of March 1924 under the imperial control of the British Empire. Meanwhile, at such a young age Obi James began his reign when he was crowned at the age of 22 on the 9th of October, 1946. Additionally, Obi James is widely regarded as the longest-serving king in Africa having reigned on the throne for more than 66 years.
2. Oba S.A. Egunjobi II – 65 years (1958 – present)
Oba Egunjobi II The Alafo Of Afo Land is currently the longest-ruling living king in Nigeria, having reigned for 65 years. In March 29, 2022, His Imperial Majesty Oba Stephen Adegoke Egunjobi II (The Alafo of AFO Land) celebrated his 64th Coronation Anniversary, a reign that started in 1958 before Nigeria gained independence in 1960. The king is the traditional ruler and father of the Ose LGA, in Ondo State.
3. Joseph Davies-Agba – 64 years (1960 – 2023)
Coming to Cross River, HRM Joseph Davies who is the paramount ruler of the Obudu Local Government Area, reigned as king for 64 years. The Uti Item III of Utugwang, Uti Ukani I of Obudu who was one of the oldest kings while he was still living, is considered a father figure by his people, who is responsible for bridging gaps in the community. Additionally, King Joseph held many key positions during his lifetime, which he will be remembered for.
4. Ọba Sikiru Kayode Adetona – 63 years (1960 – present)
Ọba Sikiru Kayode Adetona is one of the longest-ruling kings in Nigeria’s history. He is the Awùjalẹ̀ of the Ijẹbu Kingdom, located in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria. Oba Adetona was born on May 10, 1934, into a ruling royal family house that goes by the name Anikinaiya of Ijẹbuland. His father was a king who ruled between 1895 to 1906. Meanwhile, in 1960 before Nigerian gained independence, Awùjalẹ̀ was chosen by kingmakers as the next king a declaration which was signed by the then Governor of the Western Region. Oba Sikiru began his reign in 1960 and he is one of the oldest reigning monarchs in Yoruba land.
5. Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III – 60 years (1963 – present)
Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III is regarded as the oldest living monarch in Nigeria having lived for 97 years and still counting. The Igwe who was born on the 30th of October 1925 is the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader, the Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi kingdom located in Anambra State. According to the record, he is the 20th reigning Igwe of the Nnewi kingdom having been coronated on 2 June 1963, he is the longest-serving tribal King in the world as well as one of the longest-ruling kings in Nigeria. In his community, he has undertaken projects which further awarded him the respect he gains as a father figure and leader.
6. Adesida I – 60 years (1897 – 1957)
Adesida I was a Nigerian King whose reign was between the year 1897 to 1957 which span for 60 years making him not only one of the ruling kings in Yorubaland but also one of the longest-ruling kings in Nigerian history. The king who ruled over the Akure Kingdom in Ondo State was the 40th Deji of Akure and popularly called Adesida the Great. Adesida I was recorded to have been born in 1860 and died in 1957 which would put his age at 97 at the time of death. But according to findings, it was revealed there were no written records in the 1830s or 1840s, while of his claimed age put him to be 125 years at the time of death others, put it at a reasonable 101 years due to the law of ascension. Meanwhile, what is certain is that he ascended the throne in 1897.
7. Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III – 52 years ( 1970 – 2022)
Popularly known as Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III is one of the most popular kings not only in Yorubaland but also in modern Nigeria. Oba Lamidi who was born on 15th October 1938 and died on 22 April 2022 was the Alaafin of Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria. Additionally, he was also the rightful heir to the historical Empire, known as the Oyo Empire.
Ikú Bàbá Yèyé as he is popularly called, was coronated as the Alaafin of Oyo on 18th November 1970 reigning over a period of 52 years. Likewise, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III’s reign was said to be the longest reign of any Alaafin of Oyo in modern recorded history. He is one of the longest ruling-kings in Nigerian history
8. Adesoji Aderemi (Atobatele I) – 50 years (1930-1980)
Oba Sir Titus Martins Adesoji Tadeniawo Aderemi (Atobatele I) is not only a King but also a political figure, he was the Ooni of Ife one of the most most prominent in modern history. Additionally, Ooni Adésọjí Tadéniáwò Adérẹ̀mí served as the governor of the Western Region, Nigeria between 1960 and 1962. He was born on the 15th November 1889 to Prince Osundeyi Gbadebo his father who was the king before him. Adesoji Aderemi reigned as Ooni of Ife from 1930 to 1980 after his brother Ademiluyi Ajagun who is one of the most feared as well as most respected kings in the world died. Atobatele I as he is called, witnessed a reigned that saw innovation and the development of the Yorubaland.
9. Sir Siddiq Abubakar III – 50 years (1938 – 1988)
In modern history, Siddiq Abubakar III is the only known recorded longest-ruling Sultan, having ruled for 50 years. The Sultan of Sokoto, who was born in 1903, was the 17th Sultan of Sokoto from the original ruling house of the Sokoto Caliphate. Sir Siddiq who was a direct descendant of Usman Dan Fodio, reigned between 1938 to 1988, a time which marked a turbulent period for the country. A reign that spans over five decades makes him the longest-reigning Sultan as well as one of the longest-ruling kings in Nigerian history.
10. Ọba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III – 48 years (1973 – 2021)
Oba Jimoh was the traditional ruler and king of the ancient Yoruba town of Ogbomoso, Oyo State. He was born in 1912 and was Soun of Ogbomoso for 48 years becoming longest reigning Soun in modern history. Ajagungbade III who passed away on the 12th of December 2021 was coronated in 1973 after his cousin Oba Olajide Olayode II who was the Soun at the time died. His reign as the monarch of the town saw advancement to the Ogbomoso town, becoming more industrious. He was a great-grandson of the founder of the Ogbomoso town Soun Ogunlola, who founded the town in the 17th century.
11. Akenzua II – 45 years (1933 – 1978)
Akenzua II was the Oba of Benin before he passed away in 1978, thereby ending his reign. The Oba of Benin, who is the traditional ruler of the Edo and Benin people is one of the most famous Kings in history being that the former Benin Kingdom was a vast Empire before the European invasion and British colonialism. Akenzua II was born on January 7, 1899, to Eweka II who was Oba of Benin and son of Oba Ovonramwen who the British exiled while they looted his palace taking away Benin Bronzes and some other important traditional items. Akpolokpolo, known as Akenzua II was enthroned as Oba of Benin in April 1933 after the death of his father, Eweka II. He ruled the kingdom for 45 years, making him the longest-ruling Oba of Benin.
12. Erediauwa Oba of Benin – 37 years (1979 – 2016)
Erediauwa who was born on the 22nd of June 1923 took the throne succeeding his father Akenzua II to become the Oba of Benin in 1979 following his father’s passing. He is considered to be the only representative of the supreme deity and is considered a god. His reign spanned 37 years becoming one of the longest-ruling kings in Nigerian history.