Meet the top 10 first class kings in Nigeria: who are they?

Most first-class kings in Nigeria still have a massive influence on the country’s politics and contribute to the development decisions. Most of them are well-educated, with some having studied abroad. The kings have gone on to take up lucrative positions in various multinationals and the government, thereby creating great wealth.

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Key takeaways

• Some of the Nigerian kings have served in executive positions in multinational corporations and government institutions.
• Among the elite kings are the Ooni of Ife, the Oba of Benin, and the Sultan of Sokoto because of their historic influence.
• Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is the Ooni of Ife, while Oba Ewuare II is the Oba of Benin as of 2025.
• The current Sultan of Sokoto is Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

List of first class kings in Nigeria in 2025

We compiled this list using information available online, including sources such as Vanguardngr. However, you must note that this list is subjective, as the importance of kings in Nigeria depends on how they are perceived by their subjects.

So, here is a list of the top 10 first-class kings in Nigeria:

No.	King	Kingdom
1.	Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III	The Sultan of Sokoto Caliphate
2.	Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero	The Emir of Kano
3.	Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi	The Ooni of Ife
4.	Lamidi Adeyemi III	Aalafin of Oyo
5.	Benjamin Keagborekuzi Ikenchuku Gbenoba	The Dein of Agbor kingdom
6.	Oba Ewuare II	The Oba of Benin
7.	Oba Rilwan Akiolu	Oba of Lagos
8.	Ogiame Atuwatse III	The Olu of Itsekiri/Warri
9.	Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe	The Obi of Onitsha
10.	Moshood Olalekan Balogun	The Olubadan of Ibadan

10. Adewolu Ladoja – The Olubadan of Ibadan

• Full name: Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja
• Official titles: Olubadan of Ibadan, the Lord of Ibadan
• Region: Ibadanland
• Born: 25 September 1944
• Birthplace: Ibadan, British Nigeria (now in Oyo State, Nigeria)
• Age: 81 years (in 2025)
• Spouses: 1
• Religion: Muslim

Adewolu Ladoja is a first-class oba in Nigeria. Before his coronation, Ladoja was a chief and politician who served as the governor of Oyo State from 2003 to 2006 and from 2006 to 2007, and as a Senator representing Oyo South from 1992 to 1993.

In August 2025, he was officially approved as the 44th Olubadan-designate by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. His formal coronation ceremony took place on 26 September 2025, barely a day after his 81st birthday.

He attended Ibadan Boys High School (1958–1963) and Olivet Baptist High School (1964–1965). He studied at the University of Liège, Belgium (1966–1972), where he earned a degree in chemical engineering. He obtained a job with Total Nigeria, where he worked for 13 years in various positions before starting his own business in 1985.

Ladoja’s business interests include manufacturing, shipping, banking, agriculture, and transportation. Hee became a director of Standard Trust Bank Limited in 2002.

In 1992, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate as a member of the Social Democratic Party. He has also served as the governor of Oyo state from 2003 to 2007, interrupted by a brief period in 2006 when he was impeached, but he decision was later overturned by the courts.

9. Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe – The Obi of Onitsha

• Full name: Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR
• Official title: Obi of Onitsha
• Region: Onitsha land
• Born: 14 May 1941
• Birthplace: Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria
• Age: 84 years (in 2025)
• Spouse: 1

His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe is among the top 20 traditional rulers of Nigeria and the 21st Obi of Onitsha in Anambra State. He got a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Stanford University in 1966 and a Master’s in Business Administration from Columbia University.

Nnaemeka was a Director at Shell Petroleum Development companies in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ghana, Nigeria, the Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Angola (1985 – 1987) before becoming the Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2015. Today, he is a trustee of the National Traditional Rulers Council and its state Chairman in Anambra State.

The Obi of Onitsha is a hereditary title to the royal lineage of Umuezechima. He is recognized both at the state and national levels. Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe is often the first to be consulted on political, social, and traditional issues affecting southeastern Nigeria. Moreover, he is married to Chinwe Ngozi (née Ononye).

8. Ogiame Atuwatse III – The Olu of Itsekiri/Warri

• Full name: Ogiame Atuwatse III
• Official title: Olu of Itsekiri/Warri
• Region: Kingdom of Warri
• Born: 2 April 1984
• Birthplace: Warri, Nigeria
• Age: 41 years (in 2025)
• Spouse: 1

Olu Ogiame Atuwatse III was crowned the 21st Olu of Warri, of the Kingdom of Warri, on 21 August 2021. He succeeded his uncle, Ogiame Ikenwoli I, the 20th Olu of Warri. Olu Ogiame is widely considered to be among the top 20 first class kings in Nigeria.

Atuwatse was born in Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko (also known as Tsola Emiko) to Olu Atuwatse II, the 19th Olu of Warri (1987 to 2015), and Gladys Durorike Emiko.

Through his dad, he is a descendant of Olu Ginuwa (the 14th Olu of Warri), Olu Ginuwa II (the 17th Olu of Warri), and Olu Akengbuwa (the 19th Olu of Warri). On his mom’s side, Atuwatse is a descendant of the Royal Dynasty of Oranmiyan and the Ogboruu Royal House of Ile-Ife.

Ogiame Atuwatse III got a BA in International Studies and Political Science and a Master of Science in Management from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

He joined the NYSC in 2008 and served in the Public Affairs Department of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS). After his NYSC, Ogiame Atuwatse III was an officer at the Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator (SNCFPA) and Sahara Energy as a Government Relations Officer (between 2010 and 2012).

Also, the new Olu of Warri owns several companies, is the Chairman of Ocean Marine Security Ltd., and is a Director at Gulf of Guinea Ltd. and Vessellink Nig. Ltd.

Who is the wife of Olu of Warri?

He is married to Olori Atuwatse III, Her Majesty and the Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom. The couple has three children.

The Bini and Itsekiri histories stated that Olu Ginuwa, a prince of the Benin Kingdom, established the Warri Kingdom around 1480. Olu Erejuwa reigned from 1760 to 1800, and the Portuguese helped him to expand the kingdom politically and commercially.

As a result, Warri served as the base for Portuguese and Dutch slave traders in the 19th century. Also, the kingdom of Warri has remained predominantly Christian since its first Christian King/Olu Atorongboye (King Sebastian I) was coronated in 1570.

7. Oba Rilwan Akiolu – Oba of Lagos

• Full name: Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I
• Official titles: Oba of Lagos, Eleko of Eko
• Region: Lagos traditional kingdom
• Born: 29 October 1943
• Birthplace: Lagos, British Nigeria
• Age: 82 years (in 2025)
• Spouses: 4
• Religion: Muslim

Oba Ridwan Akiolu I (the Eleko of Eko) is the Oba of Lagos — a ceremonial monarch of Lagos State. He rose to power on 24 May 2003 and became one of Nigeria’s most famous traditional rulers today. Moreover, although he has no political power, Ridwan Babatunde is very influential in Lagos politics.

After high school, he joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1970 and served in various capacities for 32 years. Babatunde became an assistant inspector-general of Police in 1999 and retired in 2002. Today, he is a fellow of the Nigerian Law School and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

How many wives does Oba of Lagos have?

Oba Rilwan Akiolu has four wives. The public only knows his first wife, Olori Talabi Titiola, and one of his children, Moshood Akinolu, who represents Lagos Island II in Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives.

The Oba of Lagos is the ceremonial king of the Lagos traditional kingdom. The Benin (Eko) kingdom dominated the area from the late 16th century to the mid-19th century. Therefore, the ancestors of the Oba of Lagos were loyal to the powerful Benin kingdom in the southeast of Lagos rather than the Ooni of the Yoruba kingdom in northeast Lagos.

Lagos later became part of the Yoruba kingdom and earned the name Lagos State. Also, the island kingdom of Lagos played a critical role in the Yoruba area’s history in the 19th century. It was the main port during the Atlantic trade and British colonial era.

6. Oba Ewuare II – The Oba of Benin

• Full name: Eheneden Erediauwa
• Official title: Oba of Benin
• Region: Benin Empire
• Born: 20 October 1953
• Birthplace: Agbor, Bendel State, Nigeria
• Age: 69 years (in 2023)
• Spouses: 5

Eheneden Erediauwa (Oba Ewuare II) is the 40th Oba of the Benin Empire, which comprises the Edo people. He is Akenzua II’s grandson and was crowned on 20 October 2016. Eheneden chose the Ewuare II title to honor the 15th-century Ewuare I (his great-grandparent).

Oba Ewuare II got his A-Level Certificate from South Thames College, London. He also earned an Economics degree from the University of Wales, UK, and a Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University Graduate School, New Jersey, USA.

The Oba of Benin is an influential figure in Edo State and the country. He worked at the United Nations (1981 and 1982) and was Nigeria’s Ambassador to Angola, Sweden, and Italy.

Who are the wives of Oba Ewuare II?

Oba Ewuare II’s wives are Queen Iroghama, Princess Ikpakpa, Princess Iyayiota, Queen Owamagbe Ewuare, and Queen Aisosa Ewuare.

The Benin Empire is also called the Kingdom of Benin or the Edo Kingdom. Its founders were the Ogiso (Kings of the Sky) from Igodomigodo land (original name of the Benin Empire). The empire’s head of state created the Oba title between 1180 and 1300.

The Kingdom of Benin was known as Dahomey from the 17th century until 1975, and its capital city was Edo (now known as Benin City in Edo State, Nigeria). Also, this empire has no historical relation to the modern Republic of Benin.

The Benin Empire lost its power in the 19th century when the British army captured its king in 1897, destroyed his palace, and took away large quantities of traditional artefacts and other valuables. Today, the Oba of Benin has some political responsibilities, but is more of a traditional than a political leader.

5. Benjamin Keagborekuzi Ikenchuku Gbenoba – The Dein of Agbor kingdom

• Full name: Benjamin Keagborekuzi Ikenchuku Gbenoba
• Official title: Dein of Agbor
• Region: Agbor kingdom
• Born: 29 June 1977
• Birthplace: Agbor, Bendel State, Nigeria
• Age: 48 years (in 2025)
• Spouses: 1

His Royal Majesty Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi (Dein Keagborekuzi I) is the Dein of Agbor kingdom — one of the Igbo kingdoms in Delta State, Nigeria. In the Guinness Book of Records, he is Africa’s youngest person to be crowned a king. Keagborekuzi was crowned at two years and four months in 1979 after his dad’s sudden death (Obi Ikenchukwu I).

Dein Keagborekuzi I grew up in the United Kingdom and returned to Nigeria in 1981. He took over the governance of the monarchy in 2001. He is the Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and the Vice Chairman of the council of traditional rulers in Delta State.

Is the Oba of Agbor married?

Oba Keagborekuzi 1 married an Agbor woman he met at an event in America.

Omini founded the Agbor kingdom (Ominije) from Aguleri. It was part of the Benin Empire before British rule. This kingdom’s people are farmers and call their traditional ruler Eze or Obi.

Their current Eze, Dein Keagborekuzi I, has brought many changes in the kingdom, including protecting the region from herders’ attacks and resolving the dispute between the Agbor-Obi Youth Movement and the police.

4. Abimbola Owoade – Aalafin of Oyo

• Full name: Abimbola Akeem Owoade I
• Official title: Aalafin of Oyo
• Region: Oyo Empire
• Born: 17 July 1975
• Birthplace: Akure, Western State (now Ondo State), Nigeria
• Died: 22 April 2022 at Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
• Age: 50 years (as of 2025)
• Spouses: 1
• Religion: Christian

Abimbola Owoade was born into the royal family of Owoade-Agunloye to Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade. Owoade is a paternal great-grandson of Alaafin Lawani Agogoja through his paternal grandfather, Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade. Thus, he is a member of the Agunloye royal house as a great-great-grandson of Alaafin Agunloye and is a direct descendant of Alaafin Atiba.

He joined Baptist High School, Saki, Oyo State, where he completed his Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 1992. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (1994–1997), and The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State (1999–2001), earning an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and a Higher National Diploma (HND), respectively.

He later traveled to the United Kingdom, where he joined the University of Sunderland and Northumbria University, earning a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2008 and 2012, respectively.

Abimbola Owoade began his career in 2002 as a corps member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), serving as a Mechanical Intern/Planner with the Nigeria Gas Company.

He worked briefly with Oceanic Bank Plc as a teller from 2003 to 2004. Abimbola later relocated to the United Kingdom, where he earned certification as a project manager after completing his degrees. Before being selected as Alaafin, he most recently worked as a project coordinator at Manitoba Hydro in Winnipeg, Canada.

3. Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi – The Ooni of Ife

• Full name: Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR
• Official title: Ooni of Ife
• Region: Yoruba kingdom of Ile-Ife
• Born: 17 October 1974
• Birthplace: Ife, Nigeria
• Age: 51 years (in 2025)
• Spouses: 6
• Religion: Muslim

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR (Ọjájá II), is the 51st Ooni of Ife. He is the most influential person in Yoruba land because he is among the first class Kings of Yoruba land.

Enitan comes from the direct lineage of Oduduwa (Yoruba’s founding father and first Ooni), who is said to have sprung from Lamurudu (a king in Mecca).

Adeyeye Enitan succeeded the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the 50th Ooni of Ife, in 2015. His title, Ọjájá II, can be traced to Ọba Ọ̀ráyẹ̀gbà (Ọjájá I) — the grandfather of his paternal grandfather. Ọba Ọ̀ráyẹ̀gbà was the 44th Ooni of Ife from 1878 to 1880.

Ọjájá II, the current Ooni of Ife, is the Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In addition, he is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Institute of Directors, and the Global Real Estate Institute.

How many wives does King Ogunwusi have?

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ọjájá II) is married to six wives and has one ex-wife named Olori Naomi Silekunola. His wives are Olori Mariam, Olori Elizabeth Opeoluwa Akinmuda, Olori Tobi Phillips Ogunwusi, Princess Ashley Adegoke, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, and Olori Temitope Adesegun.

The Ife Empire (Ilé-Ifẹ̀) was the first empire in Yoruba history. Odùduwà established it in what is now eastern Benin and southwestern Nigeria. The kingdom lasted from 1200 to 1420 and was well-known for its sophisticated art pieces.

The Ooni of Ife is still influential but less mighty than he used to be before British colonial rule. He is usually consulted on political and traditional matters about the Yoruba land and its people.

2. Muhammad Sanusi II – The Emir of Kano

• Full name: Muhammad Sanusi II
• Arabic name: محمد السنوسي
• Official title: The Emir of Kano
• Region: The Kano Emirate
• Born: 31 July 1961
• Birthplace: Kano, Nigeria
• Age: 64 years (in 2025)
• Spouses: 4
• Religion: Muslim

Muhammadu Sanusi II, known by the religious title Khalifa Sanusi II, is the spiritual leader of the Tijanniyah Sufi order in Nigeria and the emir of the ancient city-state of Kano. He is a member of the Dabo dynasty and the grandson of Muhammadu Sanusi I.

He succeeded his great-uncle Ado Bayero — the longest-serving emir in Kano’s history — to the throne on 8 June 2014, assuming the regnal name Muhammadu Sanusi II.

He spent most of his reign advocating for cultural reform in Northern Nigeria. In 2020, he was deposed by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and was succeeded by his cousin Aminu Ado Bayero. On 23 May 2024, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reinstated Sanusi as emir of Kano.

He served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, ushering in banking reforms until his suspension after he made a controversial allegation of $20 billion in government coffers, leading to his suspension by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

How many wives does Muhammadu Sanusi II have?

Sanusi has 4 wives and 14 children, 5 sons and 9 daughters.

1. Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III – The Sultan of Sokoto Caliphate

• Full name: Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR
• Arabic name: محمد سعد أبو بكر
• Official titles: The Sultan of Sokoto, Amir-ul-Momineen
• Region: Sokoto Caliphate
• Born: 24 August 1956
• Age: 69 years (in 2025)
• Spouses: 3
• Religion: Muslim

Sa’adu Abubakar III is the 20th Sultan of Sokoto and a spiritual/traditional leader of Nigeria’s Muslims. His official title is “Amir-ul-Momineen,” which means the “Commander of the Faithful” or “Leader of the Faithful.”

Abubakar joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1975 and became a Second Lieutenant in the elite Armoured Corps in 1977. He headed a presidential security unit that guarded General Ibrahim Babangida and commanded a battalion of the Organisation of African Unity’s (OAU) peacekeepers in Chad in the 1980s.

Moreover, Abubakar was a military liaison officer for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the mid-1990s. On 22 August 2019, he was appointed the Co-Moderator of the Council of Religion for Peace (CRP).

How many wives does the Sultan of Sokoto have?

He has three wives and several children.

Before British rule invaded Nigeria, the Sokoto Caliphate (the Sultanate of Sokoto) was a powerful Muslim empire in West Africa. Its boundaries covered parts of present-day Cameroon, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria. Also, the Sultan of Sokoto was among the most influential kings of that era.

Usman dan Fodio established the empire in 1804 during the Fulani jihads, after defeating the Hausa Kingdoms in the Fulani War. By 1837, the Sokoto state was the most populous empire in West Africa, with 10 to 20 million people.

The Germans and British conquered the empire in 1903 and split it into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate and Kamerun. Sa’adu Abubakar III is the present-day Sultan of Sokoto.

The Sultan of Sokoto is still a spiritual/traditional leader in Sokoto state, mainly comprising the Fulani and Hausa people. Moreover, he is among the most respected Muslim leaders in Nigeria.

Who is the most powerful king in Nigeria?

There is no single most powerful king in Nigeria, as power is a matter of perspective and varies by region and historical context. The Sultan of Sokoto is often considered the highest traditional ruler in northern Nigeria, while the Ooni of Ife is widely regarded as the most powerful in Yorubaland.

Who is the youngest king in Nigeria right now?

HRH Akubuisi Okonkwo became the youngest king in Igboland and Nigeria at age 10 in 2021. He was crowned king following his father’s death.

Who is the youngest Oba in Yoruba land?

HRM Oba Oloyede Adeyeoba Akinghare II (born in 2003) is the youngest ruling Yoruba monarch. He is the current Arujale Ojima of Okeluse, Ondo State.

Who is the youngest king in Nigeria’s history?

Dein Keagborekuzi Ikenchuku Gbenoba I holds the title of the youngest person crowned king in Nigeria. He became a king at the age of 2 years after his dad’s unexpected death.

How many first class Kings are there in Nigeria?

There is no official, publicly available number for how many first class Kings there are in Nigeria, as the classification is based on traditional hierarchies rather than a government-mandated list.

What is the salary of first class kings in Nigeria?

The salary for a first-class king in Nigeria varies by state, but one example from Kogi State shows a monthly salary of N199,000. It’s important to note that salaries are set by state governments and can be affected by the specific kingdom, its historical significance, and the financial capacity of the local government, which is why they vary so much across the country.

Is Olu of Warri a first class king?

Yes, the Olu of Warri is considered a first-class king in Nigeria. He is a highly respected traditional ruler who holds significant authority and leadership within the Warri Kingdom and is recognized as a first-class monarch, often appearing on lists of the most powerful traditional rulers in the country.

Who is the most powerful family in Nigeria?

The Dangote family is widely considered the most powerful family in Nigeria due to their immense wealth and control over key sectors of the economy, including cement, sugar, and oil refining.

First class kings in Nigeria have huge responsibilities towards the government and the people. They resolve civil disputes between the citizens in their regions and the police, politicians, and government. In addition, these traditional leaders promote unity and cohesiveness among all tribes in Nigeria.

Legit.ng listed the top ten Obas in Yorubaland and shared interesting facts about them. Oba means “ruler” in the Yoruba and Bini languages, and this is a hereditary title.

In the Yoruba culture, local elders called “the kingmakers” nominate the traditional Obas or kings from several “royal” families in the villages, towns, or cities of the Yoruba land.

Source: Legit.ng