Five powerful kingdoms that existed centuries before the formation of Nigeria in 1914

The Yoruba Kingdoms

The Yoruba Kingdoms first started with the establishment of the Ile Ife Kingdom as far back as the 4^th century. According to oral history, the Yoruba are one of the oldest known settlers in Africa. They trace back to the 7^th century BC at the start of the Kingdom of Ile Ife which is now present-day Osun state. The Kingdom was a powerful one, trading with Egypt and other ancient Kingdoms in oil, cowries, copper, pepper and iron.

They worshipped God and other deities and had a King who they believed was chosen by God and served as a communicator between the living and the supreme being. The King was therefore very powerful and revered in the whole of West Africa.

At the turn of the 15^th century, the Oyo Kingdom rose from the Ile Ife Kingdom to become a stronger and better-organized kingdom and taking over trade and military power in West Africa. The Kingdom rose and became stronger despite being exiled from the Yoruba state in the 16^th century. It took control over the Fon Kingdom in modern-day Benin and established dominance over West Africa at the turn of the 17^th century.

After a while, the king could not control the Kingdom due to its vast expansion thus a political system was organized. Its sophisticated political system is very similar to the western governance system with a Prime minister, council, governors and statesmen.

The Yoruba Kingdom saw its demise in the 19^th century after a series of fights against the British. In 1851, when Lagos was captured, the British gained control over trade and by 1905, the last ruler of the independent Oyo state died.