NewStats: 3,264,439 , 8,183,717 topics. Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 05:58 AM 3h3p4y

Here is a list of the 5 most powerful traditional rulers in Nigeria.

http://ovoko.com.ng/5-powerful-traditional-rulers-nigeria/

5. Alaafin of Oyo

The Alaafin or Oyo is the traditional ruler of Oyo town in present day Oyo state. He is also influential beyond the borders of Oyo and is a close rival of the Ooni of Ife. The current Alaafin is Lamidi Adeyemi III.

4. Ooni of Ife

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II was crowned the Ooni of Ife in December 2015 when he succeeded the late Ooni of ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade to become the 51st Ooni of Ife. He is the most powerful and influential traditional ruler in Yorubaland.

3. Oba of Benin

The Oba of Benin, or Omo N’Oba is the most influential traditional ruler in southern Nigeria. He is the traditional ruler of the Benin empire. The current traditional ruler who is the 40th Oba of Benin is 40th Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare I who was crowned in October 2016.

2. Emir of Kano

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II who was the governor of Nigeria’s central bank became the Emir of Kano in 2014 where he succeed Ado Bayero. The Emirship in Kano is a highly respected one not just in the North but also in the political circles throughout Nigeria.

1. Sultan of Sokoto

The sultan of sokoto is the most powerful and influential traditional ruler in Nigeria. He is also the spiritual leader of more than 70 million Muslims in Nigeria and is revered by the Hausa/Fulani people in Northern Nigeria.

Source: http://ovoko.com.ng/5-powerful-traditional-rulers-nigeria/

The Sultan trumps them all followed by the oba and the emir, alafin and ooni follow.

INTROVERT:
The Sultan trumps them all followed by the oba and the emir, alafin and ooni follow.

The Sultan is actually number one. I forgot to number it from the bottom up.

Ooni is second in Nigeria, he is the co-chairman with southern of sokoto the president of traditional rulers in Nigeria. get your fact straight. not even the vice chairman, but co-chairman, they are on the same level

Ooni is second in Nigeria, he is the co-chairman with sultern of sokoto the president of traditional rulers in Nigeria. get your fact straight. not even the vice chairman, but co-chairman, they are on the same level

AKYEMITE:
Ooni is second in Nigeria, he is the co-chairman with sultern of sokoto the president of traditional rulers in Nigeria. get your fact straight. not even the vice chairman, but co-chairman, they are on the same level

That's a personal opinion. The people ahead of the Ooni deserve to be there. We all know there's no traditional ruler as powerful as the Sultan as he also doubles as the head of the Muslim community in Nigeria. The Emir is also very powerful in the north and is highly revered throughout the country. The Oba of benin is arguable the most powerful traditional ruler in the south and then the Ooni before the Alaafin. We're all entitled to our opinions anyways.

Ovokoo:

That's a personal opinion. The people ahead of the Ooni deserve to be there. We all know there's no traditional ruler as powerful as the Sultan as he also doubles as the head of the Muslim community in Nigeria. The Emir is also very powerful in the north and is highly revered throughout the country. The Oba of benin is arguable the most powerful traditional ruler in the south and then the Ooni before the Alaafin. We're all entitled to our opinions anyways.

bro this is not about personal opinion, that is the arrangement in Nigeria at the moment. you can confirm further. thanks

AKYEMITE:


bro this is not about personal opinion, that is the arrangement in Nigeria at the moment. you can confirm further. thanks

Personal arrangement determined by who? The federal government? Pls elucidate.

Op Obong of Calabar should b included

Cashrill:
Op Obong of Calabar should b included

We're planning on doing a top 10 list in the future. Hopefully, the Obong of Calar who is one of the most influencial traditional rulers in Nigeria will be included.

cc: Lalasticlala,mynd44

What about baale itasokoro

Op wht criteria Did u use to rate them. And why should u rate oba of Benin ahead of ooni of ife

OK

As powerful as they are, what value or positive impact do they add to the economy.

Obi of Onitsha should be in that list

Where's OBI OF ONITSHA

Obi of Kano nko

The Late Oni would have been the Third or second most powerful king if he were still alive, but this present modern day Oba has reduced some of the respect attached to the Title with his waka about, unnecessary familiarity and programs that are not really necessary, attending ceremonies upandan.

I think the Emir is also second on the list due
to the fact that he was once the governor of CBN, so that added more power to his position.

Hmmmm

Who them epp, all na wash. Most influential in what way? Has the sultan or emir been able to influence boys of their religion, the Fulanis and Boko Haram to stop wanton killings , destruction, raping and kidnap of innocent juvenile girls?
Who or what has the Ooni influenced with all his travels? Even the Alaafin and the Oba, has any of them influenced positive economic growth and development of their domains or Nigeria at large?
Negative influence I dare say, preying on the gullibility and paediatric mindset of Nigerians

God is King of all kings...... Take it or leave it

What of Obi of onitcha?

One man's pointless point of view

:STUPID LIST








OVOKO LIST

ALL KINGS ARE POWERFUL WITHIN THEIR LOCALITY SO DROP THIS TRASH



IN MY AREA I DONT KW WHO IS SULTAN OF SOKOTO

elotajohn1:
Where's OBI OF ONITSHA

No be only Obi of onitsha , na Mikel Obi

k

Lolz who told you the alaafin of Oyo is more influential than the obi of Onitsha? Furthermore in what way is the emir of kano more powerful than the oba of Benin or ooni of Ife? Abeg make we hear word.useless rating

no Igbo igwe there ni?

so my traditional ruler no get levels sef

Can someone please explain the purpose of their roles? Whats the purpose of having polically appointed folks and traditionally appointed folks concurrently ruling the same set of subjects? One must be more relevant than the other in this age. If not, their roles need to be clearly spelt out, and their usefulness explained as well. In my opinion, only one is useful and the other needs to be scrapped.