The Majekodunmi family of Abeokuta occupies a distinctive place in the history of the Egba people of southwestern Nigeria. Their story spans nearly two centuries, linking the royal traditions of the old Oyo Empire to the civic and professional life of modern Nigeria.
Royal Origins and Migration to Abeokuta
Family oral tradition traces the Majekodunmi line to the old Oyo Empire. Oyeneye Majekodunmi—said to be the son of a princess of Oyo and granddaughter of Alaafin Majotu—migrated to Abeokuta during the turbulent 1830s, when many Egba groups left the collapsing Oyo kingdom to establish new settlements. Like other early Egba settlers, Oyeneye became part of the Ikereku quarter, helping to shape the emerging city’s social and political life.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The Yoruba surname “Majekodunmi,” loosely translated as “do not let it hurt me,” is itself rooted in an act of mercy. According to family lore, Oyeneye spared the life of a slave after persistent pleas from others. To commemorate this act of compassion, the name Majekodunmi was adopted—an enduring reminder of empathy and forgiveness in family memory.
Prominent Figures Across Generations
Chief Akitoye Majekodunmi (1835–1911): Balogun (warlord) of Ikereku and founder of Akitoye Village, remembered for his role in the defense and early organization of Abeokuta society.
Dr. Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi (1916–2012): Eminent gynaecologist, Minister of Health in Nigeria’s First Republic, and Administrator of the Western Region during the 1962 political crisis. He later founded St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos, today one of the country’s leading private medical institutions.
Olufemi Majekodunmi (b. 1940): Internationally respected architect and son of Dr. Moses, who has carried the family tradition of public service and professional excellence into the fields of design and urban development.
These figures illustrate the family’s steady involvement in medicine, politics, and civic leadership from the 19th century into the present.
Cultural Values and Civic Impact
The Majekodunmi name has become synonymous with education, discipline, and community service. Their history parallels the wider story of Abeokuta itself—from the Egba people’s survival and self-organization after the fall of Oyo, to the city’s 19th-century encounter with Christian missions and its later role in Nigerian state-building.
The family’s contributions—especially in healthcare and professional practice—have left an enduring imprint on Nigeria’s public life and on the Yoruba cultural landscape.
An Enduring Legacy
Today the Majekodunmi story continues through descendants active in medicine, business, and the arts in Nigeria and abroad. Their lineage stands as a bridge between royal Oyo ancestry and the modern Nigerian nation, demonstrating how heritage and leadership can be passed from generation to generation.
Sources
Majekodunmi Family Heritage website genealogical records and family oral history.
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