Lifestyle

The Fall of Afonja and the Rise of Fulani Rule in Ilorin

Published

4 months ago

July 26, 2025

Ilorin, a city now known as the capital of Kwara State in Nigeria, has a complex and significant history that reflects the broader political struggles of the 18th and 19th centuries within the Yoruba world and beyond. Once a Yoruba military outpost under the control of the Oyo Empire, Ilorin’s transition into a Fulani emirate marked one of the most defining turning points in Nigerian history. At the center of this transformation was Afonja, the sixth Aare-Ona-Kakanfo of the Oyo Empire.

Afonja and the Yoruba Control of Ilorin

Ilorin was originally established as a frontier military post by the Oyo Empire. Ojo Isekuse, a Yoruba hunter, was the first known settler of the area, but it was later fortified and governed by Afonja, the Aare-Ona-Kakanfo—the military commander-in-chief of the Oyo Empire. Afonja administered Ilorin on behalf of the Alaafin (king) of Oyo, holding substantial military and political influence.

Conflict Between Afonja and Alaafin Aole

The tension that ultimately led to Afonja’s fall began during the reign of Alaafin Aole (c. 1789–1796). Aole gave Afonja several controversial orders, including attacking the town of Iwere-Ile, a place traditionally avoided due to spiritual taboos. Afonja defied these orders and later rejected another command to attack Apomu, a town in Ile-Ife, regarded as sacred. To signal his final break from the authority of the Alaafin, Afonja sent an empty calabash and parrot’s eggs to Aole—a symbol of rejection in Yoruba tradition.

In response, Alaafin Aole reportedly took his own life in a ritual suicide, uttering a powerful curse on the Yoruba people. This event symbolized the collapse of central authority in Oyo and laid the groundwork for the political upheaval that followed.

Alliance with Shehu Alimi and the Sokoto Jihadists

In seeking to protect his position and challenge the weakened Oyo monarchy, Afonja allied himself with Shehu Alimi, an Islamic scholar and Fulani cleric who had arrived in Ilorin with a band of disciples. This alliance, initially strategic, brought Afonja military support from Alimi’s followers and fighters from the wider Sokoto Caliphate, which had been expanding its Islamic influence across northern Nigeria.

With this support, Afonja and his new allies successfully resisted forces loyal to Oyo and eventually led attacks that resulted in the destruction of Oyo-Ile, the capital of the Oyo Empire, around 1817 or 1818. At this point, Ilorin became a powerful military base and began shifting from a Yoruba to a Fulani-controlled polity.

Afonja’s Downfall and Death

However, the partnership between Afonja and Shehu Alimi soon turned into a struggle for control. Afonja, though powerful, remained a traditional Yoruba warlord and resisted conversion to Islam. As Alimi’s followers grew in number and influence, tensions rose. Afonja also attempted to control the growing violence and lawlessness of the slave-soldiers known as the Jamaa—many of whom were loyal to the Fulani clerics.

Around 1824, these tensions reached a breaking point. Abdulsalam, the son of Shehu Alimi, rallied the Jamaa and led a revolt against Afonja. He was assassinated in the streets of Ilorin in a brutal ambush. His body was reportedly mutilated and left impaled with arrows and spears—a grim display of the fate of one of the most feared Yoruba warriors of his time.

Emergence of the Ilorin Emirate

Following Afonja’s death, Abdulsalam declared himself the first Emir of Ilorin, aligning the city politically and religiously with the Sokoto Caliphate. The traditional Yoruba chieftaincy system was abandoned in favor of the emirate model. From that point forward, Ilorin ceased to be ruled by Yoruba kings and was governed by Fulani emirs under Islamic law.

Failed Yoruba Counterattacks

After Afonja’s death, the Yoruba made several attempts to retake Ilorin. His successor, Toyeje of Ogbomoso, led counter-offensives such as the Battle of Ogele in 1825. Despite initial resistance, these campaigns ended in defeat for the Yoruba, largely due to the superior cavalry and support Ilorin received from Sokoto.

These losses marked the definitive end of Oyo’s military dominance in the region and sealed Ilorin’s status as a Fulani emirate. The city remained outside the political and cultural control of the Yoruba, despite being geographically located within Yorubaland—a reality that remains significant to this day.

The fall of Afonja is more than a personal tragedy; it is a symbol of the dramatic political realignments that occurred in 19th-century West Africa. Afonja’s attempt to assert Yoruba independence from the crumbling Oyo Empire inadvertently opened the door for Fulani dominance. His death not only marked the end of Yoruba rule in Ilorin but also the rise of Islamic emirate structures in a region that had once been firmly under traditional Yoruba authority.

The story of Afonja is a crucial part of Nigeria’s historical tapestry, offering insights into the dynamics of power, alliance, betrayal, and the long-lasting effects of colonial and pre-colonial politics in shaping modern identities and boundaries.

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Lifestyle

“Marry my daughter” – US-based Nigerian soldier sends marriage proposal to Lt. Yerima after viral confrontation

Published

30 minutes ago

November 13, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A US-based Nigerian soldier has captured the attention of Nigerians online after publicly offering his daughter’s hand in marriage to Lt. Yerima, the officer who recently went viral for confronting FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a land dispute in Abuja.

In a post that quickly circulated online by a man Identified as Falegan Opeyemi David, the officer praised Lt. Yerima for his bravery and composure during the altercation, describing him as a man of integrity deserving of a good family.

He wrote:

“Don’t worry, you will marry my daughter. She is almost a full lieutenant too. She is an elite soldier. I like your steeze in the face of unprecedented provocation. Very, very professional.”

The gesture has sparked wide reactions on social media, with Nigerians both amused and impressed by the officer’s bold offer.

Primary school junior of naval officer who clashed with Wike shares 3 things about him
Nov 12, 2025

Many users lauded Lt. Yerima’s courage during the viral incident, noting that it’s no surprise his actions inspired such admiration.

Some fans joked about the international attention, highlighting the unusual scenario of a US officer offering his daughter to a Nigerian officer he has never met, while others celebrated the recognition of integrity and valor across borders.

One commentator said, “Only in Nigeria would a viral video lead to a marriage proposal from the US!” Another added, “Lt. Yerima’s fame is going international, this is wild.”

The viral offer has cemented Lt. Yerima’s status as a national sensation and an internationally admired figure.

Check post below…

Source: GISTREEL

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Lifestyle

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Meet The Nigerian Studio Making Games In Yoruba, Hausa

Published

15 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

While the world is celebrating big releases, a small Lagos-based team called Sunrise Interactive is making waves with its cultural adventure game, Legends of Oduduwa.

The game blends Yoruba mythology with modern gameplay, letting players explore ancient kingdoms, solve puzzles, and battle trickster spirits using traditional weapons and chants. What’s unique is its voiceover in Yoruba, Hausa, and Pidgin — a first for an African indie title.

Founder Tolulope Adeniran says the team’s mission is to “make African kids see themselves as heroes.” The game recently got featured on Steam’s “Indie Gems” list and is now being tested for mobile optimisation.

Sunrise Interactive plans to release Legends of Oduduwa globally in early 2026 — proof that Nigeria’s gaming scene is on the rise and ready to tell its own stories.

Source: Leadership.ng

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Lifestyle

When Did Abuja Become The Capital Of Nigeria?

Published

1 day ago

November 11, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Abuja officially became the capital of Nigeria on December 12, 1991, replacing Lagos. The decision to move the capital was made to address issues such as overpopulation, congestion, and the geographic limitations of Lagos.

Located at the geographic center of Nigeria within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja was planned and developed beginning in the late 1970s to serve as a neutral, accessible, and modern administrative center for the country.

Why Was The Capital Moved From Lagos To Abuja?

The decision to move Nigeria’s capital from Lagos to Abuja was influenced by several reasons: political, economic, geographic, and symbolic.

Lagos had served as the capital since 1914, but by the 1970s, it had become increasingly overcrowded and unsuitable for national administration.

Lagos had grown into one of Africa’s largest cities and Nigeria’s main commercial center. But this growth came with problems.

The city faced constant traffic, housing shortages, poor sanitation, and overstretched infrastructure. Its location, surrounded by water and limited by natural barriers, made expansion difficult.

Another major concern was political neutrality. Nigeria is home to hundreds of ethnic groups. Lagos, located in the Yoruba-dominated southwest, was seen as favoring one region over others.

Abuja was chosen because it sits near the geographic center of the country and doesn’t belong to any major ethnic group.

Abuja’s central location also made it more accessible from all parts of Nigeria. Unlike Lagos, which sits on the far southwest coast, Abuja allows for easier coordination and travel from different states.

This strategic positioning supports national governance and the development of interior regions. Security played a part, too. Lagos, being a coastal city, was harder to defend and more exposed to external threats.

Abuja offered a more secure inland site with better control over access and planning. There was also symbolic meaning. Lagos had been the colonial capital under British rule.

Moving the capital to Abuja was a way to show Nigeria’s independence and growth as a nation. However, the move began in the mid-1970s under General Murtala Mohammed.

A panel led by Justice Akinola Aguda recommended Abuja. Construction started in the late 1970s, and by December 12, 1991, the capital officially moved under General Ibrahim Babangida’s leadership.

Who Declared Abuja The Capital Of Nigeria?

Abuja was officially declared the capital of Nigeria by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida on December 12, 1991. However, the journey to that declaration began much earlier and involved some key leaders.

The first person to propose moving the capital was General Yakubu Gowon in 1974. At the time, Lagos was overcrowded, chaotic, and geographically limited.

Gowon believed a more central and neutral location would be better for the country’s unity and administration. But it wasn’t until General Murtala Mohammed came into power in 1975 that the idea gained real momentum.

Murtala Mohammed created a seven-man committee, led by Justice Akinola Aguda, to study whether Lagos should remain the capital or not.

After detailed research, the committee recommended relocating the capital to a new area in the center of the country, which we now know as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The location was chosen for its neutrality among Nigeria’s major ethnic groups and its central position, which made it easier to access from all parts of the country.

Sadly, Murtala Mohammed was assassinated in 1976, and the project slowed down. But the idea didn’t die. In 1979, President Shehu Shagari revived the effort. By 1980, the planning phase began.

An American firm, International Planning Associates, designed the master plan. Japanese architect Kenzo Tange also contributed to the city’s modern design. Eventually, under Babangida’s leadership, Abuja was developed quickly.

Despite facing major challenges, like limited infrastructure and air access, his administration made the final move. On December 12, 1991, the seat of Nigeria’s federal government was officially moved from Lagos to Abuja.

Which Is bigger, Lagos Or Abuja?

When comparing Lagos and Abuja, Lagos is the biggest city in terms of population, economic significance, and urban scale. While Abuja is Nigeria’s capital and growing rapidly, it still lags behind Lagos in several key areas.

Population Size

As of 2025, Lagos has an estimated population of about 17.16 million people, making it the largest city in Nigeria and all of Africa.

Abuja’s population is around 4.2 million, roughly one-quarter the size of Lagos. Lagos has grown from just 325,218 people in 1950 to over 17 million today, with an annual growth rate of around 3.75%. Though Abuja’s growth rate is slightly higher at 4.58%, it is still much smaller in overall numbers.

Geographical Size And Density

Geographically, Abuja is larger. It spans about 1,769 square kilometers, compared to Lagos’s 1,171 square kilometers.] But Lagos is far more crowded.

Its population density is about 6,871 people per square kilometer, while Abuja has far fewer people spread over a larger area. This makes Abuja feel more open and organized, while Lagos is often congested and densely packed.

Economic And Social Value

Lagos is Nigeria’s economic capital. It produces roughly 25% of the country’s GDP and is home to major industries, ports, and businesses.

It’s also extremely diverse, with over 250 ethnic groups living and working there. On the downside, about 66% of Lagos residents live in slums and face major infrastructure challenges.

Abuja, also, is the political and administrative center. It houses the Presidency, National Assembly, foreign embassies, and other federal institutions.

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