Egba people

The Egba is a subgroup of the Yoruba people of Western Nigeria. The term Egba refers to all natives of the city of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.

History

The Egba nation originally under the Oyo empire became independent following the collapse of the Oyo empire in the first half of the 19th century. Tribal wars with the dahomey where the Egba were successful partly due to the protection afforded by the Olumo Rock led to the founding of the city of Abeokuta, which literally means "under the rock".

The Egba are made up of the following sub-divisions - the Ake, Owu, Okeona, Gbagura and Ibara, each with its own king. During colonial rule, the british appointed the Alake of Ake (king of Ake) as the paramount ruler and is therefore referred to often now as the Alake of Egbaland.

Egba Kings

Alake of Ake

[need names and dates]

Olowu of Owu

[need names and dates]

Agura of Gbagura

Oshinle of Okeona

Olubara of Ibara

Prominent Egba Citizens

Lisabi - 19th century warrior

Nigeria's president Olusegun Obasanjo