In a world where tradition meets modernity, a new set of monarchs have emerged, captivating hearts and minds with their youthful energy, impressive pedigrees, impeccable style and unwavering commitment to their ancestral heritage. These 21st century traditional rulers are breaking the mold, redefining what it means to be a king in the modern era. SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN writes on a few popular, young and stylish traditional rulers in Nigeria.
Oba Saheed Elegushi
His Royal Highness, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi (Kusenla III) of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom is unarguably, one of the most stylish traditional rulers in Nigeria. He ascended the throne when he was 34 years old in 2010, succeeding his late father, Oba Yekini Adeniyi Elegushi (Kusenla II), who died at the age of 69. Before taking over the throne, he was a personal assistant and senior special assistant to two former state governors, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Raji Fashola.
A man of class who doesn’t stick to convention, he wears both traditional and foreign attires elegantly and complements them with colourful beads. His stylish elegance is also noticeable in his choice of cars, as his garage parades luxury automobiles from Rolls-Royce Phantom, Maybach 600 and 1967 Vintage Cadillac DeVille.
An educated traditional ruler, Oba Elegushi has two Master’s degrees in Economics and Public Administration. He could also pass for the most sociable monarch in Lagos State as he attends social functions regularly as a pastime. He is a friend to many entertainers.
Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi
Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, more popularly known as Emperor Telu, might be a controversial personality, but he is a stylish and sociable 21st century monarch. He became a traditional ruler at 48 in 2015. The monarch, who was formerly based in Canada before he was crowned king, has a high taste for fashion, cars and other good things of life. He fancies flowing robes (agbada) of different colours which he always compliments with beaded caps that sit perfectly on his head.
The king is also a lover of exotic sunglasses. His fashion sense has been a subject of controversy in his kingdom as he often dresses like northern emirs, despite the fact that he is a Yoruba traditional ruler. Oba Akanbi’s uniqueness lies in his ability to speak four languages, Yoruba, English, Deutsche (German), and French. Being a lover of expensive cars, his garage boasts of exotic cars from Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, Innoson IVM, Mercedes-Benz 4Matic and other automobiles.
Emir Ahmad Bamali
Former diplomat turned monarch, Ahmad Bamali is the Emir of Zazzau, Zaria, Kaduna State. He is a lawyer and a former banker. The Law graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria also holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the same institution. He is the first Emir from the Mallawa Ruling House to be enthroned in a century after the dethronement of his grandfather, Emir Alu Dan Sidi in 1920. He took over Zazzau kingdom after the death of Alhaji Shehu Idris in 2020. Bamali was the Permanent Commissioner in the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission before he became an Emir. The Emir of Zazzau is perhaps the only Northern traditional ruler who has just one wife.
Oba Babarinde Saliu
Oba Babatunde Saliu, the paramount ruler of Oworonshoki kingdom, ascended the throne after the death of his father, Oba Bashir Saliu, who passed away after a brief illness in London in 2021. The king is a younger brother to Nurudeen Saliu, the former husband of Nigeria female drummer, Aralola Olamuyiwa.
With two bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and international Affairs respectively, Oba Saliu is on the verge of completing a PhD programme at the University of Lagos. The royal father was a big player in the political sphere before becoming a paramount ruler. He was elected as Vice Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area in 2005. In 2019, he contested for a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Kosofe Constituency 1. He once served as Special Assistant to the former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) on Waterfront Infrastructural Development from 2012 – 2015 and he served as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on land matters. The traditional ruler enjoys wearing both native and dignified casuals as occasions demand.
Obi Nduka Ezeagunna
The traditional ruler of Issele-Ukwu kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, His Highness, Agbogidi Olome Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna is blessed with good looks which he easily compliments with a great fashion sense. Obi Ezeagunna ascended the throne after the death of his father when he was just 22 years-old. While he was still an undergraduate at the University of Ibadan, a regent held forte in the palace till he finished schooling and resumed his royal duties. As one of the stylish eastern monarchs the country is blessed with, Obi Ezeagunna wears white traditional regalia which he spices up with red caps.
King Shadrack Erebulu Adou
His Royal Highness, King Shadrack Erebulu Adou, the Peremobowei of Kabowei kingdom in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State was 28 years-old when his father, Major Meshack Erebulu Adou died in 2015. He is blessed with intelligence, unassuming nature and disarming looks. A graduate of law from the Delta State University, he worked with a law firm in Warri and was also a supervisory councillor for works in Patani LGA before he was installed as a traditional ruler. Since he took over the kingship of the community, his focus has been on the security of Kabowei kingdom, education of the youths, both Western and vocational training, empowerment of market women and the welfare and development of his people generally.
HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko became a traditional ruler in 2021, succeeding his father, Ogiame Atuwatse II, the 20th Olu of Warri. The youthful, innovative and dynamic man became king when he was 37 years-old. An oil and gas business mogul, he owned and operated Noble Energy Ltd, Corral Curators Ltd and was also on the board of several companies, including Ocean Marine Security Ltd, Gulf of Guinea Ltd and Vessellink Nigeria Limited.
The monarch is an avid sports fan and he played football for Case Western Reserve University’s Soccer Team when he was in school. He also loves hiking, swimming, kayaking, basketball,and American football. He likes to spice up his traditional attires, which are usually in white and red with heavy coral beads.
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II is the 51st Ooni of Ife. He ascended the throne in 2015, succeeding Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the 50th Ooni of Ife. The Ooni who is regarded as the spiritual leader of the Yoruba people, is saddled with the responsibility of making supplications to God on behalf of his people. A fashionable and trendy king, although he is always seen in white attires which he compliments with his matching white cap and white staff of office, he sometimes changes the colour of his staff and cap to sky blue or red. Since he ascended the Ife throne, the traditional ruler has never been seen in public without the customary coral beads on his neck and his wrists. Oba Adeyeye is the only monarch in Nigeria who got married to six women in quick succession.
Obi Benjamin Ikenchukwu
His Royal Highness, Obi Benjamin Ikenchukwu, the Dein of Agbor, is another modern traditional ruler with class and panache. He made the Guinness World Record in 1980 after ascending the throne at the age of 2. His father had died unexpectedly, thereby making him the youngest person to rule a kingdom. Little Benjamin Ikenchukwu was flown to the United Kingdom in 1981 where he lived for about 20 years and was educated, while a regent held the throne on his behalf until he returned in 2021. When it comes to fashion, the traditional ruler cannot be shoved aside as he often appears radiant in traditional flowing attire of different colours, with his head warmer to compliment his attire. The Dein of Agbor is also a lover of wristwatches, coral beads and sunglasses.
Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal
His Highness, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II, the 15th Oniru of Iruland ascended the throne in 2020 after the death of Oba Idowu Oniru, Akiogun II. Before taking over the leadership of Iru kingdom, Oba Gbolahan was a police officer, though he voluntarily left the force in 2008 to work with the Lagos State Government. He was an Aide-de-camp to the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He later became a Commissioner for Agriculture in Lagos State under the Babatunde Raji Fashola Administration in the state.
Oba Oniru is also a traditional ruler with style and class which is evident in his dress sense. He often appears in public in agbada robes with matching pairs of shoes, cap and accessories. He holds a Master’s degree in Violence, Conflict and Development from the University of London.
Oba Gbolahan Lawal has also undergone a series of professional courses. This has helped him in the administration of Iru land. His passion for luxury cars also shows how stylish and modern he is. He owns a Rolls Royce Cullinan and other expensive cars.
Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze
The circumstances that led to the enthronement of Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze 1 as the Obi of Ubulu-Ukwu kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State were not pleasant. Chukwuka Noah Akaeze ascended the throne after his father, Obi Edward Ofulue III, was kidnapped and gruesomely murdered in 2016. He was just 17 years-old at the time. However, he was flown abroad to study Law at the University of Exeter, while his uncle held the fort in his absence. Despite his youthfulness, Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze has been able to display a high level of intelligence in handling the affairs of his community.
Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo
Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara Epe kingdom in Lagos became a king in 2020 after the demise of Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya II, who died in 2018 after spending 58 years on the throne.
The royal father is a graduate of Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University. He also has two Master’s degrees in Economics and Public Administration from the University of Lagos and the Lagos State University, respectively.
The monarch, who was a former Chairman of Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) might have left the LIRS in unpleasant circumstances as he was accused of fraud, but he was later vindicated before he was chosen to become a monarch. However, his reign in IIara has been a very productive one. The town has witnessed a lot of growth and development since he took over the mantle of leadership.
HRH Azaoku Chukwudinigbo Agwuna
His Serene Highness, Chukwudinigbo Agwuna, Igwe Mkpume Engwu-Ukwu of Anambra State is the son of His Serene Majesty, Osita Agwuna Eze Enugwu-Ukwu Na Igwe Umunri who died in 2007 after ruling for 50 years.
Aside being a traditional ruler, the wealthy mogul and cultural aficionado is the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer of Mkpume Global Services. The oil and gas business tycoon also sits atop other business chains.
Igwe Engwu-Ukwu has carved a niche for himself in terms of his fashion game, most of his traditional attires are made from leopard print while his shawls are made from animal skin.
Oba Alexander MacGregor
Oba Alexander MacGregor, the Olu of Ilawo, was a chief in Ilawo before his emergence as the king of the town. He is the great–great grandson of his imperial majesty, Late Oba Ademiluyi Ajagun the 48th Ooni of Ile ife. MacGregor has an impressive pedigree that most traditional rulers don’t possess. He was a distinguished professor of bio-pharmaceutics and founder cum president of the Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology (TIPT), Canada Postgraduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Technology and Research. He was appointed in 2001 by the Government of the People’s republic of China, as an International Expert Advisor in the field of Pharmaceutical Technology and Research. His inventions have led to groundbreaking new therapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancer, management of diabetes, systemic infections and post-operative pain. Aside from his impressive pedigree as a traditional ruler, he is also a man of style, Though he keeps it simple in his matching Agbada, cap and beads.
Oba of Benin, HRM Ewuare II
The royal father of Benin kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II took over the stool of the ancient Benin kingdom in 2016. He is the 39th Oba to grace the royal throne.
Born, Eheneden Erediauwa, but started bearing Ewuare II after becoming Oba of Benin. The highly educated monarch is a graduate of Economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom. He also has a Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University Graduate School, New Jersey, USA.
The highly revered king was an ambassador before he was crowned. He served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Sweden, the Republic of Finland, and Italy, with accreditation to Norway and Angola.
He was also a big player in the oil and gas business, construction and agro-allied industries before taking over the throne of Benin kingdom.
His unweaving belief in education made him establish the South Point Royal School, Benin, a primary educational institution for children in Benin City.
The Oba of Benin values the historical and spiritual relevance of the arts to the modern Benin kingdom. His firm belief in the historical arts of his kingdom made him clamour vehemently for the reparation of stolen artefacts from the empire by the British during colonialism. His efforts were rewarded when some of the stolen artefacts were returned to Nigeria.
He also wrote a book, ‘The Red Book: The Benin Monarchy’ to further play his role in placing the history of Benin Kingdom in the right perspective. The book entails the works of anthropologists, historians, sociologists, writers, and analysts.
