The Oba of Lagos is the traditional, yet ceremonial, sovereign of Lagos

Lagos

Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...

, a historical Yoruba

Yoruba people

The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...

no-Bini

Edo people

Edo is the name for the place, people and language of an ethnic group in Nigeria. Other Edo-speaking ethnic groups include the Esan and the Afemai...

 kingdom that went on to become one of the largest cities in Africa

Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

 after first giving its name to Lagos State

Lagos State

Lagos State is an administrative division of Nigeria, located in the southwestern part of the country. The smallest in area of Nigeria's states, Lagos State is the most populous state in Nigeria and arguably the most economically important state of the country and west Africa, containing Lagos, the...

, the acknowledged financial heart of contemporary Nigeria

Nigeria

Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...

. The king has no political power, but is sought as a counsel or sponsor by Nigerian politicians who seek support from the various residents of Lagos. Among other ceremonial roles, the Oba also plays a central part in the Eyo festival

Eyo festival

The Eyo Festival or Adamu Orisha Play is a Yoruba festival unique to Lagos, Nigeria. In modern times, it is presented as a family outing and tourist event. is usually performed in Lagos Island. The word "Eyo" also refers to the masquerades that come out during the festival. The origins of this...

.

The Royal Seat

The official residence of the Oba, since 1630, is Iga Idunganran

Iga Idunganran

Iga Idunganran is the Official Residence of the Oba of Lagos, situated on Lagos Island. It is also a tourist attraction.-History:The Lagos Island was originally owned by Aromire, an Ile-Ife nobleman, who used it as a fishing post. The ancient palace was initially built around 1630 and the modern...

, a castle constructed by the Portuguese

Portugal

Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...

 over the course of close to a century. It is today a very popular tourist site.

List of Obas of Lagos

• Ashipa (1600–1630)
• King Ado (1630–1669)
• King Gabaro (1669–1704)
• King Akinsemoyin (1704–1749)
• Eletu Kekere (1749)
• King Ologun Kutere (1749–1775)
• Adele Ajosun (1775-1780 & 1832-1834)
• Eshilokun (1780–1819)
• Oba Idewu Ojulari (1819–1832)
• King Oluwole (1836–1841)
• King Akintoye
  Akintoye
  Akintoye was the 11th Oba of Lagos. He was a grandson of former Oba Ologun Kutere. He ruled from 1841 to 1845, when he was deposed by his nephew Kosoko, and was reinstated with the help of British troops to rule from 1851 to his death in 1853.- Biography :...
  
   (1841-1845 & 1851-1853)
• Oba Kosoko (1845–1851)
• King Dosunmu(1853–1885)
• Oba Oyekan (1885–1900)
• Oba Esugbayi Eleko (1901-1925 & 1932)
• Oba Ibikunle Akitoye (1925–1928)
• Oba Sanusi Olusi (1928–1931)
• Oba Falolu (1932–1949)
• Oba Adeniji Adele (1949–1964)
• Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II
  Adeyinka Oyekan
  Adeyinka Oyekan was a member of the Lagos royal family whose history dates back to the early seventeenth century. He was the Oba of Lagos from 1965-2003. He attended the Methodist Boys High School and King's College, Lagos before studying Pharmacy at Yaba College of Higher Education...
  
  (1965–2003)
• Oba Rilwan Akiolu (2003–present)