Oyo, Oyo State, is the seat of the line of the rulers of Oyo. Their territory, a constituent rump state, is located in what is now Nigeria. Since the 1900 political absorption into Southern Nigeria of the kingdom that it once served as a metropolitan center, the traditional monarchy has been either a tool of British indirect rule or a legally recognised traditional polity within the republic of Nigeria.

In the Yoruba language, the word 'oba' means ruler or king. It is also common for the rulers of the various Yoruba domains to have their own special titles. In Ọ̀yọ empire, the oba is referred to as the Aláàfin, meaning owner of the palace.

The Oyo kings' list and chronology are based on the work of early Nigerian historians Samuel Ajayi Crowther and Samuel Johnson. The various sources do not always agree on names or order of reign, however, and dates before the 19th century are speculative. Numerous early Alaafins whose reigns were unremarkable may not have been remembered, with the total number possibly over 70. Any list, therefore, should be considered a rough reconstruction rather than an exact history.Law, Robin. “How Truly Traditional Is Our Traditional History? The Case of Samuel Johnson and the Recording of Yoruba Oral Tradition.” History in Africa 11 (1984): 195–221. https://doi.org/10.2307/3171634.

List of Alaafins of Oyo: Tenure Incumbent Notesc.1300 Foundation of Oyo Empirec. 1300 Oranyan, Alaafingrandson of Oduduwa and a prince from ile ife, also founder of the Benin kingdom.??? Ajaka, AlaafinSucceeded his father, Oranyan. He was said to be a peaceful and calm king, unlike his father, and brother, and his peacefulness caused his more angry and powerful brother to take over and overthrow him.??? Shango, AlaafinYoruba traditions are not clear about his exact parentage, many narratives exist. He was appointed by the Oyo Mesi after dethroning Ajaka, who some say was his brother, he reigned for 7 years, after which he became regarded as an orisha having been combined with Jakuta, an earlier orisha in Yoruba mythology. He is heavily linked to the Nupe people, being of mixed Oyo-Nupe ancestry. One thing traditions are clear on is that he has an elder brother named Dada (if this is Ajaka, it is unclear).??? Ajaka (restored), AlaafinAjaka returned to the throne after the death of Shango.Mid 14th-Century Aganjusola, AlaafinLikely a younger son of Ajaka who succeeded his father. He was said to have tamed many wild animals, and he reigned for an incredibly long time. He is synonymous with the Yoruba deity of the same name. After c.1375 Kori, AlaafinSucceeded his father, Aganju, who died while he was still a child. The Kingdom was overseen by his mother, Iyayun as regent. He waged a war with the town of Ede. Under Kori, the city of Oyo Ile expanded to include the region referred to as metropolitan Oyo. He is also regarded to have reigned over 50 years making him the longest reigning Alaafin. Began early 15th-Century Oluaso, AlaafinSucceeded his father, Kori. He was said to be handsome and had up to 1,460 children by his hundreds of wives. O ni ki ogbogbo Oluaso, O le je iya Oluaso – is a saying often interpreted as he living a long but challenging life. A popular narrative places him as the father of the royal dynasties of Ondo town and Ile-Oluji, but Ondo and Ile-Oluji themselves deny this. c. 1500 Onigbogi, Alaafin Nupe expanded to occupy Oyo's capital, driving the Alaafin away from his capital in 1500. He fled to take refuge with the Borgu ??? Ofiran, Alaafin The official Oyo palace account registers that he is the child of Onigbogi, but some evidence suggest his claim to the throne was through his mother - a princess and daughter of Onigbogi, while his father was Borgu. Crowned a King in exile after a period of regency by his mother, Oba Adasobo. He is sometimes considered the 10th Alaafin when the regency of Iyayun and Adasobo are counted. He retook some of Oyo's original territory from the Nupe. c. 1520 - ??? Eguguojo, Alaafin Created Igboho as new capital. 1554 - 1562 Orompoto, Alaafin Sister of Eguguojo, and first break of the Father-Son succession pattern since Aganju succeeded Ajaka. Drove many Nupe away from Oyo in 1555. Continued to record victories throughout her reign. 1562 - 1570Ajiboyede, Alaafin Starts the First Bere festival under reign.1570 - 1588Abipa, Alaafin Also called Ogbolu. Born 20 years after the Fall of Oyo-Ile. Rebuilt Oyo-ile back as capital after 80 years in 15801588 - 1599Obalokun, AlaafinEuropeans bringing salt arrive in Oyo during reign of Obalokun. Period of effective expansion. Bringing the Ibolo to the east, and the Ibarapa to the west under direct Oyo control???? to ????Oluodo, AlaafinDrowned in the Niger River during a battle against the Nupe who were still threatening Oyo and undermining Oyo interest in the Okun region???? Ajagbo, Alaafin First Alaafin to wear the Sesefun crown. He also created the Aare Ona Kankanfo title???? to 1659Odarawu, AlaafinFirst recorded Alaafin to get overthrown by the Oyo Mesi.1659 - 1665Kanran, AlaafinHe was killed during a mutiny of his army, after refusing to obey orders to commit suicide. 1665 - 1676Jayin, AlaafinTyrant who was overthrown by Oyo mesi.1676 - 1690Ayibi, AlaafinOlusi's son, who was a minor. Basorun ruled as regent until he was of age. Then, he became tyrannical and was rejected by the Oyo mesi. During this time Allada was attacked twice, eventually coming under Oyo in 16981690 - 1692Osiyago, AlaafinAssassinated after a dynastic dispute between his two heirs.c. 1724 to 1735Ojigi, AlaafinHe conquered the Dahomey Kingdom in 1730c. 1735–1746Gberu, AlaafinHe conferred Basorun title to his friend, Jambu, out of fear of the existing Basorun's power. Jambu then engineered Gberu's rejection and ruled as regent, then committed suicide as well.c.1746Amuniwaiye, AlaafinAssassinated by a personal enemyc. 1746 to 1754Onisile, AlaafinHe was rejected by the Oyo mesi. July 1754Labisi, AlaafinHe never formally ruled, and was instead on the 17th day of his installation ceremony compelled to commit suicide by Bashorun GaaJuly 1754 to October 1754Awonbioju, AlaafinHe ruled for about 130 days, before being compelled to suicide by Bashorun Gaa1754 to c.1768Agboluaje, AlaafinHe was forced to commit suicide by Bashorun Gaa after refusing to declare war against the town of Ifonyinc.1768 to 1774Majeogbe, AlaafinBrother of Agboluaje 1774 to April 1789Abiodun, AlaafinDefeated Bashorun Gaa with the support of Oyabi, the Aare Ona Kakanfo in 1774. The Egba got their independence during his reign1789 to 1796Awole Arogangan, Alaafin Son of Agboluaje, he installed Afonja of Ilorin as Aare Ona Kakanfo, a distant relative to the Oyo royal family. He was overthrown by Afonja and his army where he committed suicide by poison.1796 to 1797Adebo, AlaafinHe ruled for about 130 days, he died likely by suicide or murder 1797Makua, AlaafinHe ruled for only two months 1797 to 1802vacant, vacantThe Bashorun Ashamu served as regent during this period 1802 to 1831Majotu, AlaafinIs said to have been quite old when he ascended the throne. During his reign Ilorin seceded from Oyo in 1817 and in 1823 Dahomey under Ghezo got their independence1831 to 1833Amodo, AlaafinIlorin invaded in 1833 and sacked the palace after a long siege1833 to 1835Oluewu, Alaafin the Fall of Oyo empire after the Eleduwe war.1837 to 1859Atiba Atobatele (at new capital), AlaafinSon of Alaafin Abiodun. During his reign Oyo fled south to its current location, where it was known as "Oyo-Atiba." He maintained influence over cities like Ijaye and Ibadan by given titles to their leaders while continuing to call himself 'emperor' and maintained the claim to rule over Yoruba speaking areas even outside his influence. He is the common ancestor of all successive Alaafin of Oyo, and his thirteen sons make up the modern Oyo ruling house. 1859 to 1875Olujide Adelu Agunloye, AlaafinEldest son of Atiba. He was chosen by Atiba to ascend the throne after him.1876 to 12 November 1894Adeyemi I Alowolodu, AlaafinA son of Atiba. He was the last independent Alaafin of Oyo. Signed Treaty with the British on July 3, 1888. On November 12, 1894, the town of New Oyo was bombarded and brought forcibly under British colonial rule.12 November 1894 to 1905Adeyemi I Alowolodu (as British Vassal), Oba1905 to 1911Lawani Amubieya Agogoja (as British Vassal), ObaEldest son of Alaafin Adelu 1911 to 1944Siyanbola Onikepe Oladigbolu I (as British Vassal), ObaSon of Agogoja1944 to 1945Regent (as British Vassal), Oba1945 to 1955Adeyemi II Adeniran (as British Vassal), ObaSon of Adeyemi I 1955 to 1956Regent (as British Vassal), Oba1956 to 1960Bello Gbadegesin Oladigbolu II (as British Vassal), ObaSon of Alaafin Oladigbolu I 1960 to 1968Bello Gbadegesin Oladigbolu II (as Nigerian Traditional Monarch), Oba19 November 1970 to 22 April 2022Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (as Nigerian Traditional Monarch), Oba Son of Alaafin Adeyemi II13 January 2025 to presentAbimbola Akeem Owoade I (as Nigerian Traditional Monarch), Oba Paternal great-grandson of Alaafin Lawani Amubieya Agogoja, through Agogoja's son Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade.

See also Oyo Empire Yoruba states List of rulers of the Yoruba state of Dassa List of rulers of the Yoruba state of Icha List of rulers of the Yoruba state of Ketu List of rulers of the Yoruba state of Sabe Lists of office-holders

References

External links WorldStatesmen Nigeria- Traditional States