Table Of ContentFOREIGN INFLUENCE ON IGBOMINA,
C. 1750-1900
By
ABOYEJI, ADENIYI JUSTUS
97/15CA020
(B.A. (2001), M.A. (2006) HISTORY, UNILORIN)
BEING
A Ph.D THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN, NIGERIA
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FOREIGN INFLUENCE ON IGBOMINA,
C. 1750-1900
By
ABOYEJI, ADENIYI JUSTUS
97/15CA020
(B.A. (2001), M.A. (2006) HISTORY, UNILORIN)
BEING
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN, IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF THE DEGREE OF
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN HISTORY
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL
STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN, NIGERIA
© March, 2015
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DEDICATION
This thesis is dedicated to the custodian of all Wisdom, Knowledge,
Understanding, Might, Counsel, Reverential Fear (Isaiah 11:2) and the Donor
of the ‘pen of the ready-writer’ (Psalms 45:1), through our Lord and Saviour,
JESUS CHRIST.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My indebtedness for accomplishing this study is undoubtedly, enormous. Contributions within
the academic circles, family link and notable individuals/personages deserve due
acknowledgement. This is because a man who beats up his doctor after he has been cured is
incapable of being grateful. Nature‘s cruelty, to candour, is more bearable than man‘s ingratitude
to man.
Words are undoubtedly inadequate to quantify the roles of my supervisors, Dr. Kolawole David
Aiyedun and Professor Samuel Ovuete Aghalino, to whom special accolades are exclusively
reserved. In spite of their busy schedules as Head of Department, Senior Professor and in many
other capacities, they never denied me the benefits of their supervisory acumen. I am more than
greatly indebted to them. Professor Sam Aghalino particularly for took it upon himself to give
this thesis its present colouration.
I thank other members of the academic staff in the Department, notably: Professor B. M. Eyinla,
Professor R. A. Olaoye, Dr. P.F Adebayo, Dr. I. A. Jawondo, Dr. S.Y. Omooya, Dr. L. E. Odeh,
Dr. Bashir O. Ibrahim, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun, E. J. Ige, and Mrs. M. A. Y. Lewu, who gave me
the benefit of their wealth of experiences. Dr. A. S. Adebola, Prof. H. O. Danmole and the late
Prof. R. O. Lasisi are retired Generals that must be duly acknowledged for their immeasurable
intellectual impartation. The encouragement received from Messers Yusuf, S. D., Alabi, O. M.,
Onagun, R and Mrs. Odeigah, T. N. this short time we have been together in the Department is
quite memorable.
I feel intellectually indebted to Prof. E. C. Emordi of the Department of History and International
Studies, Edo State University, Ekpoma (my external examiner) and Prof. B. Salawu of the
Department of Sociology, University of Ilorin (my internal examiner). Your input to this work
promises to remain evergreen.
I am also indebted to all those that this study benefitted from while we were in the field
collecting data. They include: all our informants, the staffers of the Arewa Documentation
Centre, Kaduna, National Archives, and Libraries.
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I also wish to acknowledge the spiritual support of the pastor and elders of ECWA Church
(Zionites‘ Sanctuary), Esie: Pastor & Mrs. J. B. Owolabi, Elders & Mrs. D. A. Olaoye, D. O.
Adeniyi, J. O. Adekola, J. A. Bamisaye & S. S. Adewumi, and entire congregation.
A special acknowledgement is reserved for Dr. Bashir Olaitan Ibrahim whom God has used
severally to play significant and unforgettable roles in my life. Others deserving due
acknowledgement for different roles played in my life towards the eventual attainment of this
height include: Mr. & Mrs. David O. Kolawole & family, Proprietors Dominion Nursery &
Primary School, Esie (my neighbours); Dr. Olowonirejuaro O. A. the Provost & former Director,
DAP, Kwara State COED, Oro; Dr. E. O. Olafimihan, Mr. J. S. Akolawole, fellow Doctoral and
Postgraduate students, staff of the Directorate of Affiliate Programmes (DAP), Kwara State
College of Education, Oro, and indeed all who provided inspiration and encouragement, hence
helping to keep keeping on against all odds.
Should I so soon forget the meticulous support of my Pathfinders and Custodians in this
world—Chief S. O. & Mrs. E. B. Aboyeji and brothers and sisters, who stood strong by me and
gave me all the psychological, moral, spiritual and financial assistance needed to add this golden
feather to my academic cap: Mr. & Mrs. ‗Yinka Oyedepo, Engr. & Mrs. Steve Aboyeji, Dr. &
Mrs. Aboyeji O. Solomon, Mr. & Mrs. Amos Olakisan and Pastor & Mrs. Adebayo-Salami? You
are God‘s Special Gifts Par Excellence in my life.
The superlative part of this acknowledgement is unreservedly set aside for my better-half, Mrs.
Aboyeji Adedotun Margret and our little angels—Oluwatunmise and Oluwasemiloore. Your
patience, understanding, endurance, prayers, contributions, inspiration and sacrifice during this
study period are not just noteworthy but duly esteemed, without which this thesis would not have
seen the light of the day.
I cannot but appreciate one more person—YOU, reading this work. This is because the outcomes
of many researches that should have been of great benefit to humanity have only ended up
unread, especially in this part of the world, accumulating dust upon dust on shelves.
Once again, a big thanks, and God bless you all real good.
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TABLE OF CONTENT
Title Page i
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgments v
Table of Content vii
Glossary/List of Abbreviations ix
List of Maps, Tables and Appendices xi
Abstract xii
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Justification of the Study 4
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study 5
1.4 Scope of Work 5
1.5 Conceptual Clarification 7
1.6 Research Methodology and Problems 9
1.7 Literature Review 14
1.8 Geographical Description 26
1.9 Historical Background 36
Notes and References 53
CHAPTER TWO: IGBOMINA BEFORE THE 18TH CENTURY
2.1 Introduction 64
2.2 Igbomina Traditional Institutions Prior to the External Influence 65
2.3 Foreign Incursion into Igbomina Prior to the 18th Century 78
2.4 Era of the Dominance of Ọyọ Empire 79
2.5 Structure of Ọyọ Administration–Ajẹlẹ System 81
2.6 Weakness and Collapse of Ọyọ 85
2.7 Influence of the Collapse of Ọyọ on Igbomina 86
Notes and References 92
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CHAPTER THREE: 18th CENTURY FOREIGN INFLUENCE: NUPE INCURSION
3.0 Introduction 97
3.1 The Nupes 97
3.2 First Phase of Nupe Incursion into Igbominaland, 1733-1795 102
3.3 Second Phase of Nupe Incursion, 1833-1897 105
3.4 Structure of Nupe Administration in Igbominaland 106
3.5 Nupe Influence on Igbomina 112
Notes and References 120
CHAPTER FOUR: 19TH CENTURY FOREIGN INFLUENCE: ILORIN CONQUEST
AND IBADAN RAIDS, AND A POSTSCRIPT OF THE 20TH CENTURY
4.0 Introduction 125
4.1 Igbomina in the Context of the 19th Century Yoruba Civil Wars 125
4.2 Rise of the Ilorin/Fulani and Structure of Administration on Igbomina 134
4.3 Ilorin-Fulani Influence on Igbomina 147
4.4 Ibadan‘s Expansionism and Structure of Administration in Igbomina 150
4.5 Ibadan Influence on Igbomina Institutions 159
4.6 POSTSCRIPT: Igbomina in the 20th Century 161
4.7 British Colonialism and Influence 163
4.8 Impetus to the Incessant Military Invasions and Conquests of Igbomina 167
Notes and References 174
CHAPTER FIVE: ASPECTS OF CHANGE AND CONTINUITY IN IGBOMINA
5.0. Introduction 180
5.1 Igbomina‘s Reactions to Foreign Influence 180
5.2 Implements of War 187
5.3 Igbomina Women in Warfare 193
5.4 Igbomina Inter-group Relations and Influence 196
5.5 Traditional Religious System 236
Notes and References 239
CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 248
Notes and References 262
BIBLIOGRAPHY 263
LIST OF MAPS, TABLES AND APPENDICES 274
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GLOSSARY/LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
1) A. D. O. -Assistant District Officer
2) Agannigan -Name given to Ibadan Marauders in Igbominaland
3) Agbaasin -A goddess brought from Ile-Ife by Olusin
4) Ajele -Political Agent under the Oyo and Ibadan pre-colonial administration
5) Ajia -A minor war Chief under the Ilorin Emirate Administration
6) Alaafin -Title of (Oba) King of Oyo
7) Awoji -Religious soul of Iwoland/Iwo Kingdom goddess
8) B.O.P -Balance of Power
9) Babakekere -Middleman (economic/commercial)
10) Balogun -War Chief Title
11) D.H. -District Head.
12) D. O. -District Officer
13) Ekitiparapo -Ekiti/Igbomina Confederacy during the Kiriji War
14) Ekun -Province
15) Emir -Head of an Emirate. E.g. Ilorin Emirate.
16) Esinkin -A distinguished war leader
17) Etsu -Head of the Nupe Dynasty/potentate.
18) Griot -Members of a caste of professional oral historians(as in the
Mali Empire)
19) H.R.H -His Royal Highness
20) Ibid -Same as above
21) Igbona -Abridged form of Igbomina (in colonial records) Igbimo/Ilu -
Council of Chiefs (Community)
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22) ILORPROF -Ilorin Province Report File
23) Iwofa or Iwefa -bond or indentured servants
24) L.G.A -Local Government Authority
25) N.A. -Native Authority
26) NAI -National Archives, Ibadan
27) NAK -National Archives, Kaduna
28) Oba/Baale -Village Head/Chief of Provincial Settlements/Provinces
29) Ogba -Nupe Residents who served as link between the Nupe potentate and
the subject people.
30) Ogbo -A type of early traditional club or cutlass which possesses magical powers (that
knows the way to the bank of the Niger) believed to have led Igbomina migrants
31) Ọlọbà -The Head of Ọbà
32) Oloogun - Members of Warrior group
33) Oluawo -Head of the diviners
34) Olupo -The Head of Ajase-po
35) Olusin -Head of Isinland
36) Oniwo -Head of Iwoland
37) Oniwonate/Olusinate-Territories under the Oniwo/Olusin
38) Orangun -The Head of Ila
39) Orile/Oriki -Cognomen
40) RNC -Royal Niger Company
41) V.A.C. -Village Area Council
42) V.G.C -Village Group Council
43) W.W. -World War (I & II)
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