ABEOKUTA — Over 400 Ogboni chiefs and traditional stakeholders from across Egbaland converged on
Thursday, September 10, 2026 at the Adire Hall, Ake Palace, for a landmark workshop to reposition the Egba Ogboni institution as the bedrock of justice, discipline and responsible leadership.
The one-day event, themed BUILDING A BETTER EGBA OGBONI: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES” was organised by Egba Ogboni in collaboration with Hirealms Resources Limited and had over 400 Ogboni Chief drawn from all sections of Egbaland in attendance.
Speaking at the event, the Asiwaju Bamofin of Egbaland, Chief Sunday Oduntan dismissed the long-standing perception that Ogboni is a secret cult. He described it instead as a council of elders founded on truth, justice and good governance.
“The word Ogboni, in its traditional context, refers to elders and an elders’ council committed to truth and justice. Ile Ogboni in Egbaland is the House of Parliament. Before the Europeans came, we already had an institution that was very robust,” Oduntan said in his paper titled “Strengthening Relationship Between Egba Ogboni and Other Traditional Institutions in Egbaland.”
He broke down the structure of Egba governance: Ogboni chiefs as administrators, Olorogun as warrior chiefs, Parakoyi as trade leaders, and Iyaloja as market heads.
He also reaffirmed the central role of the 30 kingmakers — six from each of the five senior Egba townships of Ake, Ijeun, Iporo, Kemta and Itoku — in the selection of the Alake.
The Apena of Egbaland, Chief Alani Bankole, in his lecture on “Preserving the Core Value and Tradition of Egba Ogboni in a Changing Society,” said the British colonial administration drew inspiration from the Egba Ogboni system in forming the House of Lords.
He urged contemporary Ogboni chiefs to return to the institution’s founding pillars of unity, truth, justice, wisdom and discipline, while warning against land grabbing, oppression and the abuse of traditional authority.
“Seniority comes with responsibility,” Bankole stated. “Those in influential positions must deploy their authority to promote peace, stability and justice, not to intimidate.”
Both leaders expressed deep concern over what they called the erosion of Yoruba cultural identity among younger generations. Oduntan specifically debunked claims of blood rituals at Ile Ogboni, saying such narratives stem from ignorance. He clarified that beads worn on the right shoulder signify administrative rank, not cult membership.
The Baasala of Egbaland, Chief Ade Adeniji Adeleke who is the Chairman of the Planning Committee, said the workshop brought together Ogboni members from Egba Ake (Eku, Aarin and Agbeyin), Egba Oke-Ona, Egba Gbagura and Egba Owu, alongside distinguished traditional leaders.
He noted that the 2026 edition, with over 400 participants, far surpassed the maiden workshop of 30th November, 2022which had 137 participants..
“The sessions featured expert presentations, interactive discussions, case studies and Q&A focused on how traditional institutions can preserve cultural values while advancing justice, peace and sustainable development,” Adeleke said.
He announced that a follow-up workshop would be organised for warrior chiefs, after which both arms would be harmonized to strengthen unity and cooperation within the Egba traditional system.
Participants rose from the workshop with a renewed commitment to documentation of Yoruba history, ethical conduct, and the restoration of Ogboni’s legislative and administrative functions in community governance.
Waheed Ogunjobi
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