Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
The Federal Republic of Nigeria (Female Sufrage 1954, in the North men only until
1977) The former British Colony became independent 1960 and a republic 1963
Also see Nigeria Ministers
1888-1902 Representative of the
British and Judge Mary Slessor, Okoyongo District.
She was missionary with various people and tribes (1876-1915). She lived
(1848-1915)
1960-63 Elizabeth the Second,
Queen of Nigeria and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the
Commonwealth (01.10-01-10)
Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland since 1952
Sub-States
Benin
The Iye Oba of Iyoba of Uselu (Queen Mother)
1507-? Iye Oba Idia of Uselu in Benin
She was appointed to the position by her son Oba Ensigie (1504-50), after she helped
pressing the attacking Igala back across the Niger River.
Since then the Queen Mother was one
of Benin's most powerful women. As a senior town chief she was has a voice in
palace affairs and rules her own court. Though she is forbidden to see her son
once he is crowned king, the Queen Mother is expected to support him
spiritually. She lived in her own palace outside the capital. She did not appear in
public and did not have an official role in the political system, but she was
always "consulted" by important political decisions, and her vote was
necessary in the political decision process. As widow of the former king and
mother of the present, she was given semi-male status. She had a "wife" with the title of
Amoda, she was surrounded by
Amada, naked boys and has a whole court of officeholders.
.......Complementary ministerial positions were held by women from the time of Tegbesu, it is said. This innovation reflects in part the importance of his own mother, Naye Wandjele.
1692-? Iye
Oba of Uselu
She was mother of Oreoghenen, who ruled 1689-1700.
1703-? Iye Oba of Uselu
She was mother of king Ewuakpe of Benin (1700-12). His successor Ozuere only
reigned for one year and did not appoint his mother Iyoba of Uselu since this
traditionally happned after three years of reign by the king.
1715-? Iye Oba of Uselu
Mother of Akenzua I of Benin (1713-35)
1738-? Iye Oba Ede of Uselu
Mother of Eresonyen of Benin (1735-50)
1753-? Iye Oba Ohagha II of Uselu
Mother of Akengbua of Benin (1750-1804)
1807-? Iye Oba of Uselu
Mother of Obanosa of Benin(1804-16), his successor Ogbebo reigned for less than
a year.
Circa 1816-? Iye Oba Omozogie of Uselu
Mother of Osemwede of Benin (1815-48). She is said to have been very wealthy and
to have assisted her son's conquests of outlying areas.
1851-? Iye Oba of Uselu
Mother of Adolo of Benin (1848-88)
1888-97-1914 Iye Oba Iha II of Uselu
Also known as Iheya, she was the Mother of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi of Benin (1888-97-1914).
There is evidence that she remained in Benin after her son was deposed by the
British.
1917-? Iye Oba of Uselu
It seems that Eweka II of Benin (1917-33) did not have a Queen Mother. He
was succeded by Akenzua II in 1933. His mother
had died in 1926 but he gave her a funeral befitting to the Iyoba of Uselu.
1981- Iye Oba Aghahowa N'Errua of Uselu
Also Priestess of Olokun. She was the first wife of Oba Akenzua II (1933-78).
Breaking with tradition he did not put her aside after the birth of their first
son - Oba Erediauwa who has been king of Benin since 1979. She had more
sons and daughters and as Eson - chief wife - she managed her husband's growing
harem of wifes and children. In her capacity as Priestess of Olokun she is
believed to wield considerable power gained in the spirit world. (b. 1907-)
Erijiyan-Ekiti
1978-80 Regent Princess Teramade Adetule
After the death of her brother, Oba Fabunmi-Ogbegun IV (1938-78)
Igala
Around 1800 Queen Ata Ebelejonu
The Kano Kingdom of Bornu (Kanem Bornu)
1563-70 Queen Mother Aisa Kili
N’guirmamaramama
Daughter of Duama VI and succeded by Idris III Aluma Amsai (1571-1602/3)
11th-13th century The Sister of the
Mai (King) bore the title of Magira and had great power in the kingom. She was
in charge of women's affairs in the palace and the nobility in general.
Naura
Circa 700 Magajiya Kurfuru (Kofana)
The first of 15 successive Queens
.... Shata
Gino (Gufano)…. Yakunya (Yfakaniya)
.... Walzamu (Waizam)
…. Yanbam Gizirigzit (Gadar-Gadar)
…. Imagari (Anagiri)
.... Dura
.... Gamata
…. Shata
… Batatume
…. Sandamata
…. Jamata
…. Hamata
….. Zama
Circa 1000 Shawata
The last of 15 successive Queens
Okolo-Ama (A city-state known to the Europeans as Bonny)
The exact dates of the reigns of the first 8 rulers are not known. The first
reign date is 1759.
Oyo
Ca 1560-80 Ruler Orompoto The
gender of this ruler is not clear. Might have been a woman
Ubani
Before 1700 Queen Amanyanabo
Kambasa
Warri / Itskiri
1848-51/3 and 1870/75 Queen
Regnant Iye Idolorusan
Succeded her father. Died (1870/75)
Zamfara
Circa 1350 Queen Argoye
Zaria and Abuja
1536-39 Queen Bakwa Turunku
Succeded grandfather king Nohir Tuknariki
Circa 1576-1610 Queen Amina
Sarauniya Zazzua
1580-82 Queen of Kano
She lived (circa 1533-ca- 1610)
Other Chiefdoms
1983-2000 Regent Princess Abigail Adegoke of Ido Ekiti
Acting Village Chieftainess.
1995-circa 2000 Regent Princess Adeboyode Aladeyelu of the Igabara Odo-Ekiti
Acting Village Chieftainess. (B. 1970-)
1996-... Regent Princess Victoria Fasan of Agede Ogbese
A suburb of Akure.
1999- Erelu Oba Princess (Chief) Rafiat Abimbola Dosumu-Shitta of Lagos, Erelu Oba of Saki A member of the Dosumu royal family of Lagos and the Ado ruling house of Saki She is the first Yeye Omobalufon of Lagos, the current Erelu Oba of Lagos and is also the first Erelu Oba of Saki land in Oyo State She is Married with 5 children
Circa 2000- Chief (Mrs.) Rita Lori-Ogbebor (in the Warri
Kingdom)
2000-01
The Deji Princess Adeyinka Adesia of Akureland
She is the 44th regent of the State and 4th of her own dynasty, acting as
regent during a vacancy at the throne. She lived in USA when her father died.
(b. 1950-)
2000-..
Regent Princess Adenike Adebomi of Ise-Ekiti
Acting Village Chieftainess in the Ekiti State. (b. 1978-)
2000-...
Regent Princess Arinade Olayisade of Ido Ekiti
Acting Village Chieftainess in the Ekiti State. (b. 1940-)
2000-...
Regent Princess Adegolarin Adeyeye of Ire Ekiti
Acting Village Chieftainess in the Ekiti State.
2000-...
Regent Princess Fehintola Omoleewo of Ayegabjau Ekiti
Acting Village Chieftainess in the Ekiti State.
2000-...
Regent Princess Adetola Opeymi of Iyin Ekiti
Acting Village Chieftainess in the Ekiti State.
- 2006- Hereditary Regent
Princess
Folashade Idayat Illo of Ikejaland
A shopkeeper in the Ikeja district in central Lagos.
Chiefs
1948-66 Member of the Eastern House of Chiefs
Chief Afiong Margaret Ekpo
A woman organizer, she was appointed to the House of Chiefs and elected to the
House of Representatives in 1960-66. She lived (1914-2006).
1954 Member of the Eastern House of Chiefs Chief Janet Mokelu
1954 Member of the Western House of Chiefs
Chief Olufunmilayo
Ransome Kuti
Women's Activist. She lived (1900-78).
Last update 11.11..08