List of Nigerian traditional states

There are many traditional states in Nigeria.[1] A partial list follows. Although the traditional rulers[2] no longer officially have political power, they still have considerable status in Nigeria and the power of patronage.[3] Except where otherwise noted, names of traditional rulers are based on the World Statesmen.org list.[4]

State Region Ethnic group Capital Present ruler Accession date Title Notes
Abuja Now the Suleja Emirate
Abureni Kingdom Southsouth Ogbia Iduma Collins Ebi Daniel 2008 Olila-Ebhugh
Adamawa North Fulani Yola Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa 2010 Lamido
Adara Chiefdom Middle Belt Adara Kachia Maiwada Galadima 2007 Agom Adara
Ado-Odo Southwest Yoruba Ado-Odo Olusola Idris Osolo Otenibotemole II 2024 Olofin Adimula Oodua Formerly Oba of Ado
Agaie North Nupe Agaie Yussuf Nuhu 2014 Etsu
Agbor South Ika Agbor Benjamin Ikechukwu Kiagborekuzi I 1979 Dein
Ake Southwest Yoruba Abeokuta Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III 2005 Alake Part of the confederation of Egbaland
Akure Southwest Yoruba Akure Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi 2015 Deji
Akwa Akpa Southeast Ibibio Calabar Bassey Ekpo Bassey II 2008 Edidem
Atyap Chiefdom Middle Belt Atyap Zangon Kataf Dominic Yahaya 2016 Agwatyap or Agwam Atyap
Badagry South west Gunu/Yoruba Badagry De Wheno-Aholu-Menu-Toyi 1 1977 Oba Akran of Badagry
Bade North Bade Gashua Abubakar Umar Suleiman 2005 Mai Bade
Bajju Chiefdom Middle Belt Bajju Zonkwa Nuhu Bature 1995 Agwam Bajju
Bashar State North Basharawa Bashar Adamu Idris 1963 Sarki
Bauchi North Gera/Fulani Bauchi Rilwanu Adamu Jumba 2010 Emir
Benin South Edo Benin City Ewuare II 2016 Oba
Bichi North Hausa Bichi Nasiru Ado Bayero 2019 Emir
Bida North Nupe Bida Yahaya Abubakar 2003 Etsu
Biu North Bura Biu Mustapha Umar Mustapha II 2020 Emir
Birnin Gwari North Gwari/Hausa Birnin Gwari Zubairu Jibrin Mai Gwari II 1993 Emir
Bonny South Ijaw Bonny Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III 1996 Amanyanabo Also called Okolo-Ama
Borgu Middle Belt Bariba New Bussa Muhammad Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV 2015 Emir Formed by merging Bussa and Kaiama
Borno North Kanuri Maiduguri Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi 2009 Shehu
Brass Southeast Ijaw Brass, Nigeria Alfred Diete-Spiff Amayanabo Once part of Nembe
Bussa See Borgu
Bwari/Bwaya Kingdom Middle belt Gbagyi/Gwari Bwari/Bwaya Kingdom Ibrahim Yaro 2007 Esu
Calabar (Old) see Akwa Akpa
Calabar (New) see Kalabari Kingdom
Damaturu North Kanuri Damaturu Hashimi II El-Kanemi Emir
Daura North Hausa/Fulani Daura Faruk Umar Faruk 2007 Emir
Dikwa North Kanuri Dikwa Mohammed Masta II Ibn Alamin El-Kanemi[5] 2010 Shehu Divided into Bama and Dikwa Emirates in 2010
Ebira Middle Belt Igbirra Koton Karifi Shuaibu Mamman Lafiya[6] 1970 Ohimegye
Ebiraland Middle Belt Ebira Okene Ahmed Tijane Anaje 2024 Ohinoyi
Edem South East Igala/Igbo Edem Nwabueze Annekwempaha Ezea II July 2009 Eze Edem The king's traditional salutation is Agaba-Idu. Formerly known as Christopher Nwabueze Ezea II, he took a regnal name on the anniversary of his decennial on the throne.
Edo See Benin
Eko see Lagos
Ekpeye Kingdom Southsouth Igbo Ekpeye Robinson Okpoluwon Robinson CON 1978 Eze Ekpeyelogbo
Eri Southeast Igbo Aguleri Chukwuemeka Eri, Ezeora XXXIV 1976 Eze Eri The Custodian of the Sacred Ovo Eri
Fantswam (Kafanchan) Chiefdom Middle Belt Atyap Kafanchan Josiah Kantiyok 2019 Agwam Fantswam Renamed "Zikpak Chiefdom" by the Kaduna State governor, Nasir Elrufai
Fika North Bole Potiskum Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa 2009 Moi Distinct from the Potiskum Emirate, also based in Potiskum
Gobir North Hausa/Fulani Sabon Birni Sarkin Originally a Hausa city-state, conquered by the Fulani in the 19th century
Gombe North Fulani Gombe Abubakar Shehu Abubakar 2014 Modibo
Gujba Emirate North Manga Gujba Shettima Muktar Ibn Ali Gangaram 2000 Emir Formerly part of the Fika Emirate
Gumel North Hausa/Fulani Gumel Ahmad Muhammad Sani dan Maina Muhammad 1981 Emir
Gusau North Hausa/Fulani Gusau Muhammadu Kabir Danbaba 1997 Emir or Sarkin Katsina The rulers of Katsina and Maradi also use the title "Sarkin Katsina"
Gwandu North Hausa/Fulani Gwandu Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar Emir
Hadejia North Hausa/Fulani Hadejia Adamu Abubakar Maje 2002 Emir
Ham (Jaba) Chiefdom Middle Belt Ham Kwoi Jonathan Gyet Maude 1974 Kpop Ham
Ibadan Kingdom Southwest Yoruba Ibadan Owolabi Olakulehin 2024 Olubadan
Idah see Igala
Idoani Southwest Yoruba Idoani Olufemi Olutoye 2014 Alani
Idoma Kingdom Middle Belt Idoma Otukpo Elias Ikoyi Obekpa Och'Idoma IV Och'Idoma
Igala Middle Belt Igala Idah Idakwo Ameh Oboni II 2012 Attah
Igbomina Kingdom Middle Belt Yoruba Omu-Aran Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti (Olomu Efon II) 1993 Olomu Related to the Igbomina state in general
Ijebu Kingdom Southwest Yoruba Ijebu Ode Sikiru Kayode Adetona Ogbagba II 1960 Awujale
Ijebu-Remo Southwest Yoruba Sagamu Babatunde Adewale Ajayi 2017 Akarigbo See also Ijebu Kingdom, List of rulers of Remo
Ijesaland see Ilesa
Ikale Kingdom Southwest Yoruba Ikoya Ikale George Faduyile, Adegun ll 1998 Abodi Paramount Rulers of Ikale land Okitipupa, Irele and Odigbo local government
Ikateland Kingdom Southwest Yoruba Lagos Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla II 27 April 2010 Oba House of Kusenla
Ile Ife Southwest Yoruba Ife Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II 2015 Ooni One of the two ranking Yoruba monarchs
Ilesa Kingdom Southwest Yoruba Ilesa Owa
Ilorin Middle Belt Yoruba/Fulani Ilorin Ibrahim Sulu Gambari Emir
Ipokia Kingdom Southwest Yoruba Ipokia Raufu Oladeinde Adetunji Adeole Onigbaale III 1985 Onipokia
Iroko Kingdom Southwest Yoruba Iroko Olasunkanmi Abioye Opeola, Kurunloju I 2011 Oniroko
Isedo Southwest Yoruba Ila Orangun Oyedeji Ajide Obalumo Related to the Isedo Clan (with its own Obalumo) of the Igbomina state of Oke Ila Orangun
Isinkan Southwest Yoruba Isinkan Iralepo
Itele Southwest Yoruba Itele, Ijebu-East Mufutau Adesanya Kasali Iboriaran I 2003 Moyegeso See also Ijebu Kingdom, Jones Adenola Ogunde Adeyoruwa II reigned until 1996
Itsekiri see Kingdom of Warri
Jajere Emirate North Fulani Tarmuwa Hamza Mai Buba Ibn Isa Mashio 2000 Emir, Mai, Lamido or Sarkin Jajere divided into Jajere & Ngelzarma Emirates
Jama'are Emirate North Hausa/Fulani Jama'are Muhammadu Wabi IV dan Muhammadu Wabi 1975 Emir
Jema'a Emirate Middle Belt Hausa/Fulani Jema'a Muhammadu dan Isa 1999 Emir
Jos Middle belt Berom Jos Jacob Gyang Buba 2009 Gbong Gwom
Jukun see Wukari
Kagara Emirate
Kagoro 		Middle Belt Hausa/Fulani

Atyap

Kagoro Alhaji Ahmad Garba Gunna Attahiru II


Ufuwai Bonet

2021


2008

Emir


Agwam Agworok

A diarchy
Kaiama Merged with Bussa into Borgu
Kalabari Southsouth Ijaw Buguma Amanyanabo
Kano North Hausa/Fulani Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II 2024 Emir
Karu Kingdom Middle Belt Gbagyi/Gwari Karu Luka Panya Baba 2004 Esu
Katagum North Fulani/Kanuri Katagum Umar Muhammadu Kabir Umar 2017 Emir
Katsina North Hausa/Fulani Katsina Abdulmumini Kabir Usman 2008 Emir or Sarkin Katsina The rulers of Gusau and Maradi also use the title "Sarkin Katsina"
Kazaure North Hausa/Fulani Kazaure Najib Husaini Adamu Emir
Keana Chiefdom Middle Belt Agatu Keana Abdullahi Amegwa 2016 Osana of Keana
Kebbi North Hausa/Fulani Birnin Kebbi Sama'ila Muhammad Mera 1996 Amir Argungu
Keffi Emirate Middle Belt Hausa/Fulani Keffi Muhammadu Cindo Yamusa II Emir
Kontagora Middle Belt Hausa/Fulani Kontagora Muhammad Bara'u Mu'azu 2021 Sarkin Sudan
Kumbwada Niger State Hajiya Haidzatu Ahmed 1998 Queen
Kupa Middle Belt Kupa/Nupe Abugi Muhammadu Kabiru Isah II 1967 Maiyaki
Lafia North Kanuri Lafia Sidi Bage 2019 Emir Sarkin Lafia
Lafiagi Emirate Middle Belt Nupe Lafiagi Mohammed Kudu Kawu 2021 Etsu Fulani jihad state founded 1824
Lagos Southwest Yoruba Lagos Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I 2003 Oba Formerly known as Eko
Lapai Middle Belt Nupe Lapai Umaru Bago Tafida 2002 Etsu
Lere Middle Belt Lere Umaru Mohammed Sani Emir
Machina North Manga Machina Bashir Albishir Bukar[7] Emir
Misau Emirate North Kanuri/Fulani Misau Ahmed Suleiman 2015 Emir
Moroa Middle Belt Atyap Manchok Tagwai Sambo 1966 Agwam Asholyio
Mubi Emirate Middle Belt Mubi Abu Bakar Isa Ahmadu Emir
Muri Taraba Middle Belt Hausa/Fulani Muri Taraba Abbas Tafida[8] 1988 Emir
Nasarawa Emirate Middle Belt Hausa/Fulani Nasarawa Ibrahim Usman Jibril 2018 Emir
Nembe Southsouth Ijaw Nembe Edmund Maduabebe Daukoru, Mingi XII 2008 Amanyanabo
Nembe Bassambiri Southsouth Ijaw Bassambiri Amanyanabo
Ningi North Hausa/Fulani Ningi Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya Chief
Nnewi Southeast Igbo Nnewi Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III 1963 Igwe
Nri Southeast Igbo Agukwu Enweleana II Obidiegwo Onyeso 1988 Eze Nri Holder of the highest and most revered ofo in Igboland, the Ofo Nri-Menri.
Obioko Kingdom Southeast Obioko Ekpo Eyo Abassi Eyo III 2008 Obong
Oke Ila Kingdom Southwest Yoruba Oke Ila Olufemi Oladapo Babalola Obalumo Related to the Igbomina state of Isedo
Oke-Ona Egba Southwest Yoruba Abeokuta Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso Karunwi III 1989 Oshile Part of the confederation of Egbaland
Okolo-Ama Otherwise known as Bonny since colonial times
Okpe South-South Urhobo Orerokpe Orhue I 2006 Orodje
Okrika Southeast Okrika Alfred Semenitari Abam Ado IX 2002 Amanyanabo
Ondo Southwest Yoruba Ondo Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo 2006 Osemawe
Onitsha Southeast Igbo Onitsha Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe 2002 Obi
Orlu Southeast Igbo Orlu Patrick II Acholonu 2009 Igwe XI, Duru IX
Oshogbo Southwest Yoruba Oshogbo Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun 2010 Ataoja
Owerri Southeast Igbo Owerri Emmanuel E. Njemanze 1989 Ozuruigbo
Owo Southwest Yoruba Owo Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III 2019 Olowo
Owu Southwest Yoruba Abeokuta Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu II 2005 Olowu Part of the confederation of Egbaland
Oyo Southwest Yoruba Oyo Alaafin One of the two ranking Yoruba monarchs
Pategi Middle Belt Nupe Pategi Umar Bologi II 2019 Etsu
Potiskum North Ngizim Potiskum Umar Bubaram[9] Emir Not to be confused with the Fika Emirate, based in the same town
Rano North Hausa/Fulani
Sokoto North Hausa/Fulani Sokoto Sa'adu Abubakar 2006 Sultan See also List of Sultans of Sokoto
Suleja Middle Belt Hausa/Fulani Suleja Awwal Ibrahim 2000 Sarkin Zazzau Formerly Abuja Emirate
Tiv Middle belt Tiv Gboko James Ayatse 2016 Tor Tiv
Tula Chiefdom Middle Belt Tula Kaltungo, Gombe Abubakar Buba Atare II 2009 Mai
Ubani see Bonny
Ugbo-Igbo Southeast Igbo Ugbo town Godwin Ebem Udeonu October 1978 Igwe
Ugbo Kingdom Southwest Yoruba Ilaje Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan 2009 Olugbo
Ughelli Kingdom Southsouth Urhobo Otovowodo Ajuwe Oharisi III 1992 Ovie
Warri Southsouth Itsekiri Ode-Itsekiri Ogiame Atuwatse III 2021 Olu Olu of Warri. See also kingdom of Warri 1478
Wase Muhammadu Sambo Haruna October 2010 Emir Fulani Emirate
Wukari Middle Belt Jukun Wukari Manu Ishaku Ada Ali 28 January 2022 Aku Uka
Yauri North Hausa/Fulani Yauri Muhammad Zayyanu Sarkin
Zamfara Emirate North Hausa/Fulani Gusau Muhammad Attahiru Ahmad Sarkin
Zaria Alternate name for Zazzau Emirate
Zazzau North Hausa/Fulani Zaria Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli 2020 Sarkin The ruler of the Suleja Emirate also uses the title "Sarkin Zazzau"

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nigerian Traditional States". www.worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  2. ^ Simwa, Adrianna (2022-08-30). "Kings and their titles in Nigeria: List of traditional rulers". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  3. ^ Chris Ewokor (1 August 2007). "Nigerians go crazy for a title". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  4. ^ "Traditional States of Nigeria". WorldStatesmen.org. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  5. ^ Abdulkareem Haruna (28 March 2010). "Kingmakers Crown New Shehu of Dikwa". Daily Independent. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  6. ^ PIUS ALAO (2009-10-26). "Otaru Tasks Ebira Nation On Unity". Nigerian Observer. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  7. ^ "Machina Emirate Council". Machina Emirate. Archived from the original on 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  8. ^ Tashikalmah Hallah (13 July 1988). "Emir of Muri Crisis Resolved - Nyame". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  9. ^ Japhet Madaki (9 August 2010). "Mai Potiskum hails appointment of Bauchi Emir". Peoples Daily. Retrieved 2010-09-01.