...The Ademolu Dynasty · Ijebuland
Reigned 1915, 1917 – 1925 · Anikinaiya Ruling House
Welcome to the official home of the Ademolu Royal Family. Through this platform, we honour our ancestors by preserving the sacred customs of the Ijebu Kingdom, while proudly sharing our enduring values and culture with the world.
Coronation · 10 October 1916
In commemoration of the coronation of Alaayeluwa Ademolu,
the Awujale of Ijebuland, on the 10th October 1916.
His Royal Majesty
His Royal Majesty ,Oba Ademolu Fesogbade - Opa Ase - Opa Ase is a significant figure in the history of Ijebuland, having reigned as the Awujale from 1915, 1917 to 1925. His reign stands as an important chapter in the long and storied history of the Awujale dynasty.
He was the son of Oba Anikinaiya Fugbajoye. His siblings included other notable princes, such as Adeleke Oluboyejo (Ogbagba I), who himself was Awujale from 1896 to 1906. In the Ijebu chieftaincy system, Oba Ademolu Fesogbade belonged to the Anikinaiya Ruling House one of the key royal lineages of Ijebuland.
His family and descendants continue to honour his memory and uphold the dignity of the royal house of Anikinaiya.
“Even a crown must come through the Awujale.”
Praise Poetry
The oriki is the praise name of a lineage a spoken inheritance that names who we are, where we came from, and what we are known for.
The praise poetry of the house
Omo Oba Ademolu m'ren ile Umititi, Omo olowo Joyemeji po, Oje Dagberuwe, Otunje Awujale. Omo Soko Bi eke, Ofowo oun joye Oni koma gbarere. Omo Efeso gbade baba e, Omo Onilemose ti gbon gbon Oba mo Oba ni Italuppe. Omo Oba reke reke ni Italatoda, Omo owo n so ni dii oke, Eni owo banso niran re ko wa wi Owo n so niran Oba Ademolu.
The praise poetry of the Ijebu people
Ìjẹ̀bú ọmọ alárè, ọmọ Àwùjálẹ̀, ọmọ arọ́jọ́ joyè, ọmọ Alágẹ̀mọ́ ogun wọyọwọyọ, ọmọ Aládìẹ́ ogógómóga, ọmọ adìẹ́ balókun ọmìlílì. Ará ọ̀rọ̀kún, ará ọ̀rádìyẹ, ọmọ ohun ṣení ọyọ́ ọnyọ́, ọyọ́yọ́ máyọ̀mọ ohun ṣení ọlẹ́pànì. Ọmọ dúdù ilé kòmọbè ń jọ̀sí, pupa tó mọ́bè ń ṣe ọkùnkùn sílé. Ọmọ Mọ́rẹ̀yẹ́ mamárókó, Mórókòtan yẹ́ má tí lọ, ọmọ mọ́níṣúnlẹ̀ mamálóbè, ọ̀bẹ̀ tín bẹ́nílé, kó mọ ilé bàbá tó bí wà ń lọmọ. Ọmọ Onígbo má dè, ọmọ Onígbo mọ́ wọ mọ́ wọ, ọmọ Onígbo a jójì má gbọ́wọ́, ajojì tó bá wọ gbọ̀rọ̀ yóò di ẹbọrà, ilé bàbá tó bí wà ń lọmọ. Ìjẹ̀bú ọmọ ẹrẹ́ níwà, ọmọ olówó ìṣẹ́mbáyé, tó wọ́ kújì tó dọ́dẹ̀, kó tó dọ́wọ́ ẹrú, kó tó dọ́wọ́ ọmọ. Òrìṣà jẹ́ndàbí onílé yìí, níwàń fi ń pè igbà Ìjẹ̀bú owó, kẹ́lẹ́bẹ̀ Ìjẹ̀bú owó, ìtọ́ Ìjẹ̀bú owó, dúdú Ìjẹ̀bú owó, pupa Ìjẹ̀bú owó, kékèrè Ìjẹ̀bú owó, àgbà Ìjẹ̀bú owó.
Explore the archive
The 1916 deposition, the reinstatement of 1917, the Akarigbo crown dispute and the complete line of 53 Awujales from 1450.
Read the historyWhere the family originated the three quarters of Ijebu Ode, its traditional governance, towns, festivals and the Ojude Oba.
Visit IjebulandDownloadable colonial reports, scholarly PDFs and the National Archives file references that document the reign.
Open the libraryRemembrance notices, obituaries of long lost family members, birthday invitations and family celebrations.
See announcementsThe Abidagba chart of documented male lines, prominent family members and the branches of the Ademolu house.
View the treeSubmit family records, share documented evidence, or write to the administrators of the royal house.
Get in touch
Symbol of authority
The Awujale is the paramount ruler of Ijebuland and the ultimate symbol of the ancestral heritage of a people who have carved a niche for themselves not only among the renowned Yoruba, but across the length and breadth of the nation and this is called Opa Ase in Yoruba Land
The title itself comes from an old legend. The first Awujale, Obanta, was originally called Amujaile meaning “one who understands wrestling on land.” He earned this name after winning a wrestling match against a chief who refused him passage. Over time, the name evolved into Awujale, the royal title used ever since.
Today, the Ijebu people hold an ever growing reverence for their monarch.
A living record
Our revered Oba was blessed with five wives and many children, and we are committed to ensuring that every name is properly recorded for posterity. If you hold verifiable information — supported by documented evidence, oral history or family records — we warmly invite you to reach out.
