04/11/2025
Alaafin Adeyemi I Alowolodu: The Last Independent Ruler of the Oyo Empire (1876–1905)
His reign marked the end of Oyo’s sovereignty, shaped by civil war and British colonial domination.
In the waning years of the nineteenth century, the Oyo Empire — once the most formidable of the Yoruba kingdoms — stood at a crossroads between tradition and colonial intrusion. At the centre of this turbulent period was Alaafin Adeyemi I Alowolodu, who reigned from 1876 to 1905 as the last independent ruler of Oyo. His leadership bridged two eras: the twilight of indigenous sovereignty and the dawn of British colonial rule.
Early Life and Royal Lineage
Alaafin Adeyemi I Alowolodu was the fourth son of Alaafin Atiba Atobatele, the founder of the new Oyo (known as Oyo Atiba or New Oyo) after the fall of Old Oyo in the early 19th century.
His father, Alaafin Atiba, was instrumental in restoring political stability to the Yoruba nation after years of internal strife, and he laid the foundation for the continuity of the Alaafin dynasty.
Born into royalty, Adeyemi Alowolodu grew up in an era defined by the Yoruba inter-tribal wars, the decline of the transatlantic slave trade, and the expansion of European influence on the West African coast. His early years were shaped by political turbulence and shifting alliances among Yoruba states, especially between Ibadan, Ijaye, Egba, and Oyo.
Ascension to the Throne
Adeyemi I ascended the throne of Oyo in 1876, succeeding Alaafin Adelu. His reign coincided with one of the most tumultuous periods in Yoruba history — the Yoruba Civil War (1877–1893), also known as the Kiriji War, which pitted several Yoruba subgroups against each other in a prolonged struggle for dominance and security.
As Alaafin, he was the recognised political and spiritual head of the Oyo Empire, but his power was increasingly challenged by military states like Ibadan and the growing influence of British colonial agents along the coast and in Lagos.
The Yoruba Civil War and the Fall of Oyo’s Independence
The Yoruba Civil War was fought primarily between the Ekiti-Parapo confederation (allied with Ijesha and Ekiti towns) and Ibadan, which had become a dominant military power. Although Oyo tried to maintain neutrality at first, the conflict’s economic and political consequences eventually weakened the empire’s control.
By the late 1880s, British officials and missionaries had begun to intervene diplomatically in Yoruba affairs, presenting themselves as peace brokers while gradually asserting colonial authority.
The treaty signed in 1893, which marked the end of the war, effectively brought the entire Yoruba region — including Oyo — under British protectorate status. For Alaafin Adeyemi I, this marked a devastating loss of sovereignty. From 1888 onward, his authority was under increasing British supervision, and by 1896, his independence was fully stripped away.
Relationship with the British
Alaafin Adeyemi I’s rule unfolded during the height of British expansion in West Africa. As the British extended their political control inland from Lagos, they imposed indirect rule — a system where traditional rulers retained ceremonial power but were subordinated to colonial officials.
While Adeyemi I sought to preserve Oyo’s autonomy through diplomacy and resistance, British political officers gradually curtailed his powers, placing Oyo under administrative districts governed by colonial residents. His palace became a symbolic relic of the old order, and the Alaafin’s role shifted from sovereign monarch to local custodian under British oversight.
Alaafin Adeyemi I in Historical Photography
One of the most enduring images of Alaafin Adeyemi I is preserved in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York. The historic photograph — showing the Alaafin seated beside an Afro-Portuguese merchant — reflects the complex intersections of African royalty, European commerce, and colonial diplomacy in the late 19th century.
In the image, Adeyemi I’s dignified presence in traditional Yoruba attire contrasts with the merchant’s European dress, symbolising the coexistence and conflict between indigenous power and foreign influence during that era.
Death and Succession
Alaafin Adeyemi I reigned until 1905, passing away after nearly three decades on the throne. His death closed a significant chapter in Yoruba history — the final reign of an Alaafin who ruled as an independent monarch.
He was succeeded by Alaafin Lawani Agogo Ija (1905–1911), who ruled entirely under British colonial supervision.
Family and Legacy
Alaafin Adeyemi I was part of the Adeyemi royal lineage, which continues to play a central role in the Oyo monarchy. His descendants include the late Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (1938–2022), who reigned for 52 years and was one of the most influential Yoruba traditional rulers of the modern era.
The legacy of Adeyemi I Alowolodu lies not only in his political struggles but also in his representation of the resilience and adaptability of Yoruba leadership. His reign serves as a historical bridge — from imperial independence to colonial subjugation, from warrior kingship to modern rulership.
Symbolism and Historical Reflection
Alaafin Adeyemi I’s life illustrates the broader African experience in the late 19th century — where local kingdoms, despite centuries of political sophistication, were subdued by colonial empires through a combination of warfare, diplomacy, and economic manipulation.
His photograph, preserved by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, stands as an artefact of a fading era — a time when African kings faced the dual challenge of internal unity and external domination. For historians, it represents not defeat, but transition — the adaptation of Yoruba identity and kingship in the face of global change.
References
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Alaafin of Oyo (Adeyemi I Alowolodu) Photograph Collection, Accession No. 2005.100.
Falola, Toyin & Genova, Ann. Historical Dictionary of Nigeria. Scarecrow Press, 2009.
