About Us The Royal Family

The Royal Family

The history of Lagos royalty is a fascinating blend of tradition, politics, and spiritual authority. At the heart of this story lies the genealogy of its rulers, the role of powerful matriarchs and princes, and the creation of enduring chieftaincy titles that shaped the political structure of the kingdom. Among these, the Ogboni Iduntafa title stands out as a symbol of balance, compromise, and continuity.

Lagos, originally known as Eko, developed into a thriving kingdom influenced by both Benin and Yoruba traditions. Its royal dynasty traces back to Prince Ashipa of Benin and his son, Oba Ado, who became the first crowned Oba of Lagos in the 17th century. From the beginning, the monarchy was deeply tied to divination, rituals, and the authority of chiefs who acted as kingmakers and guardians of tradition.

Power struggles between princes were common, as each sought to secure the throne. Such contests often required careful negotiation to preserve peace and stability within the kingdom. It was during one of these moments that a unique solution emerged: rather than allow rivalry to destroy unity, a new chieftaincy was created to honour a beloved prince, giving him status and authority second only to the Oba himself. This office became the Ogboni Iduntafa, a chieftaincy designed to reflect compromise while still affirming royal dignity.

The Lagos royal family descends from a union of political and spiritual forces. Through the line of Oba Ado, who had children including Princes Gabaro and Akinsemoyin as well as a daughter, Princess Kuti (later Erelu Kuti), the dynasty consolidated both authority and continuity.

Erelu Kuti, a woman of remarkable influence, became the matriarch of the dynasty. Her marriage to an Ijesha prince and Ifa diviner, Olasogba Ogbolu (known as Alaagba), produced three children who would change the course of Lagos history: Ologun-Kutere, Shokun, and Olamiseran. Ologun-Kutere later ascended the throne as Oba of Lagos, while his younger brother Shokun became the first Ogboni Iduntafa.

What makes this family significant is not only their royal blood but also the balance struck between them. Ologun-Kutere carried the crown, while Shokun held a title that gave him power, respect, and privileges nearly equal to the Oba. This arrangement preserved unity in the kingdom and demonstrated how the family’s internal harmony shaped the wider stability of Lagos society.

The Ogboni Iduntafa title, created in the mid-18th century, became one of the most prestigious chieftaincies in Lagos. Reserved exclusively for the descendants of Shokun, it ensured that his name and lineage would forever be tied to the governance of the kingdom. The holder of the title was second only to the Oba, entitled to wear royal coral beads, carry a sceptre, and enjoy privileges comparable to European nobility of the time.

Over time, the title became popularly known as Onilegbale. This transformation came through one of Shokun’s descendants, who earned the nickname for his ability to “clear the market,” purchasing all slaves available for sale. Onilegbale, meaning “landowner who clears all before him,” became a permanent name for the chieftaincy, symbolizing wealth, power, and influence.

Despite challenges and disputes over the centuries, the Ogboni Iduntafa stool has remained the preserve of Shokun’s lineage. Its continuity underscores the importance of heritage in Lagos society, where leadership titles are not merely political offices but sacred trusts passed down through bloodlines.