This historic image captures the late Deji of Akure, Oba Afunbiowo Adesida I, seated with two of his sons who were students of King’s College Lagos, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious secondary schools.
Figures in the Photograph
Centre: Oba Afunbiowo Adesida I
The longest-reigning Deji of Akure (1897–1957).
A highly influential Yoruba monarch whose reign shaped modern Akure in education, administration, and relations with the colonial government.
Right side: Oba Adebobajo Adesida IV
Later became Deji of Akure, continuing the Adesida royal lineage.
Left side: Prince Ademuwagun Adesida II
Later ascended the throne as Oba Ademuwagun Adesida II.
Notably remembered as the first trained lawyer to become a reigning king in Nigeria, symbolising the fusion of Western education with traditional Yoruba kingship.
Historical Significance
The photograph reflects Oba Afunbiowo Adesida I’s strong commitment to Western education, particularly elite education for royal princes.
Sending his sons to King’s College Lagos positioned them for leadership roles in both traditional governance and modern statecraft.
It also highlights how the Adesida dynasty produced multiple monarchs, reinforcing its long-standing dominance in Akure’s royal history.
Broader Context
King’s College Lagos was a training ground for many future Nigerian leaders during the colonial and early post-colonial eras.
This image symbolizes a critical transition period in Yoruba history, where royalty embraced formal education to navigate colonial and post-colonial Nigeria.
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