At court with the kings of Africa: Nigeria's regional monarchs still live in royal splendour (although they lost any power 50 years ago)


- Nigeria's many traditional kings were formally stripped of their constitutional powers in 1963
- But they continue to command great respect among their communities and wield considerable influence
- Celebrated photographer George Osodi toured the country extensively to collect a unique set of portraits


With their brightly coloured robes, ornate thrones and legions of flunkeys attending every whim, they seem every bit the archetypal African kings.

Nigeria's traditional Monarchs may have been stripped of their powers half a century ago, but they appear to have lost little of their regal pomp and splendour as this fascinating series of portraits shows.

Photographer George Osodi toured the west African country extensively for a series of photographs entitled 'Kings of Nigeria' which is due to be exhibited at London's Bermondsey Project in October.


Posing on his ornate throne, Alhaji Dr Ado Abdullahi Bayero is the current 'Emir of Kano', a position he has held since 1963. A former ambassador to Senegal he is renowned for his abundant wealth, which has been amassed by investing in the stock market and agriculture


Robes of office: HRM Agbogidi Obi James Ikechukwu Anyasi II, 'The Obi of the Idumuje Unor kingdom', was until his death earlier this year, the longest reigning African Monarch. He was crowned king on October 9, 1946 at the age of 22. His robe, depicting a young Queen Elizabeth, gives a clear nod to the period of British colonial rule


Out for a ride: The Emir of Kano Alhaji Dr Ado Abdullahi Bayero is attended by aides as he sits on the back of his vintage Rolls Royce on his way to the Central Mosque in Kano

As a well-known and celebrated Nigerian photographer, Mr Osodi was granted rare access to the palaces and throne rooms of these hereditary rulers who now serve as living repositories of Nigeria's enormous cultural heritage.

He told Al-Jazeera: 'There are frequent clashes among different ethnic groups… Lots of people have lost trust in their identity. I felt it was important that we see this diverse culture as a point of unity instead of seeing it as something that should divide us as a nation.

'The easiest way I could approach this was to look at the monarchy structure in the country because they are closer to the people than the governors.'

While their ancestors ruled over vast tracts of Africa, following the abolition of the monarchy in 1963 the regional monarchs were stripped of all their constitutional powers.

But far from fading into obscurity, they mostly remain popular leaders and are held in great regard by their hundreds of thousands of loyal subjects.

And despite lacking any formal powers they continue to wield considerable influence and serve as unofficial intermediaries between their subjects and the Nigerian government.


His Majesty, Wilson Ojakovo Oghoghovwe Oharisi III was made the 'Ovie of Ughelli' in 1980 and has ruled over the great kingdoms of Ughelli and Urhoboland for more than 33 years

Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the current 'Ooni of Ife', relaxes in his throne room. Born in 1930, he has enjoyed a colourful life first working for his father's business, then with the Nigerian Tribune newspaper, before attending Northampton College in the United Kingdom where he studied business management. In 1963 he became Sales Director of the state-owned National Motor company in the Nigerian capital Lagos. He later formed a company to distribute Soviet-built vehicles and equipment in Nigeria


His Royal Majesty Oba Oyetunji Jimoh Olanipekun Larooyell, the 'Ataoja of Osogbo' in southwest Nigeria. He worked as a teacher for many years, firstly at a baptist day school. He was crowned king in 1976 and rules over some 300,000 subjects. He has studied management in London and is a qualified chartered accountant


Born to rule: Sitting on his golden throne, Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I is the current 'Dein of Agbor'. Just two years and four months after his birth in July 1977 he was crowned king following the the unexpected death of his father. It meant he was the youngest king anywhere in the world. He is currently the Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, one of Nigeria's most prestigious universities

Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I [top]was crowned 'Oba of Benin Kingdom' in the Edo state of Nigeria in 1979. Before that he studied at Cambridge university before being appointed to many top government posts. Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman [bottom] is the current and 50th 'Emir of Kasina'. He was coronated in 2008 five days after the death of his father, Emir Muhammad Kabir Usman. He is remembered as a peacemaker during the Nigerian civil war and has a passion for Polo


His Majesty, Deinmowuru Donokoromo III, The 'Pere of Isaba', poses with his royal sceptre outside his palace. He has ruled over the Kingdom of Isaba in the oil rich South-West area of Delta state since 1983

- Nigerian Monarchs will be exhibited at The Bermondsey Project, London SE1, between October 10 and October 27.

George Osodi: Kings of Nigeria

Having captured the oil devastation, he now photographs Nigeria's traditional monarchs, to offer a positive way forward.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1xkLTKDaLw
Filmmaker: Katharina von Schroeder

George Osodi's photo project, Oil Rich Niger Delta, and the resulting book of stunning pictures, Delta Nigeria – The Rape of Paradise brought attention to the environmental problems in the area and made Osodi one of Nigeria's most sought-after photographers.

"I think it's my responsibility as the man with the camera to find a way to represent this [situation], so that it becomes appealing to whoever sees it," explains Osodi. "At first sight you're like, 'what a beauty', but then behind it is a huge Armageddon. It's like hell on earth."

This film follows Osodi as he continues to document the devastating effects of oil spills in the wetland region and as he tackles his latest project, about Nigeria's traditional Monarchs.

"[There are] frequent clashes among different ethnic groups," says Osodi. "Lots of people have lost trust in their identity. I felt it was important that we see this diverse culture as a point of unity instead of seeing it as something that should divide us as a nation.

"The easiest way I could approach this was to look at the monarchy structure in the country because they are closer to the people than the governors."

Filmmaker's view

By Katharina von Schroeder

Shortly after George and I met for the first time he told me, "I am always on the move. Can you keep up with me?"

"Sure," I replied.

Constantly being on the move is the only possible way to make a film about George's work. For his numerous projects he has to travel the roads of Nigeria in all directions and hardly ever spends more than two days in one location, determined to capture a unique moment or tell a relevant story.

As soon as my cameraman and I jumped into George's car, he drove around for hours to show us his beloved country, Nigeria. Through the car window we saw the thick mangrove forests, serene rivers and the most beautiful scenery passing us by.



After some hundred kilometres the mood changed as we entered Delta State. There were checkpoints with heavily armed soldiers and policemen stopping the car every few kilometres.

The oil-producing state is the "hen that lays the golden egg" as George puts it. He explained that in the past, the exports from the region had mainly been palm oil and other agricultural produce, whereas now crude oil and petrol account for most of Nigeria‘s national income.

A steady flow of oil company workers‘ cars, protected by military convoys, passed us. All the while, George was on high alert to ensure that we were not forced to stop at the roadside by gangs always on the lookout for an opportunity.

The dangers of the region are tangible but as soon as we entered the palaces of the monarchs, for George's latest photography project, we discovered a completly different world. The architecture, the colourful fabrics and majestic rituals give us an idea of Nigeria's enormous cultural heritage.

It is very diffcult to access the kings' palaces but as George is a well-known and respected photographer, we were well recieved. Unfortunately during our first audience with a monarch I made a little mistake. The correct protocol for greeting a king, if you are a woman, is to kneel while the men take a bow, laying chest down on the floor. But as we entered the room of the Obi of Idumuje Unor, I instinctively stretched out my arm to shake his hand. The monarch did acknowledge my offer of a handshake and I heard soft chuckles from his entourage. I was later told that nobody is allowed to touch the king except those who are specifically delegated to assist him. I stepped aside and let George take over to greet the king in a proper manner before we started the photoshoot.

Visiting the Nigerian monarchs felt like moving through a fairy tale. Everywhere we went we recieved a warm welcome, which in most cases, was accompanied by the precious but bitter kola nut and some drinks.

Over the course of our journey we drove more than 3000km, witnessed the community petitions at a king's court, learned about a vodoo shrine and saw the most impressive craftmanship.

For his project, George will portray 100 monarchs, referring to the amalgamation of the northern and southern part of Nigeria, a 100 years ago. His project aims to be a symbol of peace and unity despite the challenges the nation is still facing, like the bombings by Boko Haram in the northern region.

I am excited to see George's upcoming exhibitions and the pictures of the monarchs hanging on the walls, as he continues to dream of a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

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George Osodi: Kings of Nigeria
Nigerian photojournalist George Osodi is renowned for his hauntingly beautiful pictures of the oil devastation in the Niger Delta.

Maxymilliano: Stories of Nigeria's regional monarchs living in royal splendour can not be completed without the inclusion of the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Frederick Akinruntan. The dude reeks of opulence.



It is on record that he has a custom built 2012 Rolls Royce similar to that of Queen Elizabeth II ...

coogar: how many split units in ooni's palace? - i am amazed at the quality education of these monarchs. kudos to them, may their reigns be long....

Nightshift: Descendants of African slave merchants, shamelessly paying homage to their age-long trading partner ( the British monarchy) ; the joys of their heart clearly mocking the forgetfulness of African minds.

bebe2: Beautiful traditional!

Are all men born equal??