The Awori are a sub-group of the Yoruba people, speaking their own distinct dialect of the Yoruba language. They are widely regarded as the earliest settlers of Lagos and its surrounding areas.
According to oral history, the Awori trace their origin to Olofin Ogunfunminire, a prince and descendant of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race. When Olofin and his followers left Ile-Ife, Oduduwa gave him a mud plate (awo), instructing him to place it on the river and follow it until it sank. This mystical plate was to guide them to their destined settlement.
The journey southward unfolded in stages:
The plate first stopped near Olokemeji, close to present-day Abeokuta, for 17 days.
It then moved to Oke-Ata, where it stayed another 17 days.
At the southern outskirts of Abeokuta, the plate rested again for 17 days. Here, some of Olofin’s followers, led by Osho Aro-bi-ologbo-egan, chose to remain permanently.
The plate continued downriver and eventually halted at Isheri, where it stayed for a much longer period—289 days. Olofin instructed his people to begin building a permanent settlement there. However, when the plate resumed its journey, Olofin followed with a smaller group, leaving others behind at Isheri.
After two days, the plate stopped briefly at Iddo (Lagos Island) and finally sank at Idumota, in the heart of present-day Lagos. When Olofin returned to his people, they asked where the plate was. He replied: “Awo ti ri” (“the plate has sunk”), which is believed to be the origin of the name Awori.
In keeping with Yoruba custom, Olofin and his descendants carried their crown from Ile-Ife. One of his sons, Osolo, settled in the Osi quarters, while others moved further south. The Awori eventually spread across Lagos, Ogun, and parts of Osun.
The first crowned king of the Awori in Ota, Ogun State, was Oba Akinsewa Ogbolu, son of Osolo, who ascended the throne as the Olota of Ota in 1621.
Thus, the Awori established themselves as one of the most influential Yoruba sub-groups, laying the foundation for Lagos as we know it today.
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