Iyaloja-General of Nigeria—Tinubu’s Daughter, Disgraced Trying To Install Iyaloja In Benin You Can't Install Iyaloja In Benin, Oba Ewuare Dares Her

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has warned Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the “Iyaloja-General of Nigeria”, to desist from the move to install an “Iyaloja”, a titled that means “Mothers of Market”, in Benin City.

The interchange took place on October 1, 2025, when Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo visited Oba’s palace to inform him of the move.

Responding to the proposal, the Oba made it clear that Edo people do not practice the Iyaloja system found in Yoruba lands.

According to the Iyaloja concept, a market leader supersedes other market women.

However, the Oba, in a video trending online, noted that the Edo culture entertains “Iyeki”, which means “Mother(s) of Market(s)”.

“Iyaloja is alien to us here in Benin. In Benin, you are in the home of culture, we have our culture here.

“I have discussed this matter with my chiefs and those that are knowledgeable.

“Do you know the role of Iyeki in Benin culture? Every Iyeki has a special relationship with the palace.

“Are you aware of that?

“Do you know that every Iyeki has a cultural role to perform inside every market?” Oba Ewuare asked the “Iyaloja-General of Nigeria” during the exchange.

At the behest of the Oba, a senior Chief in the palace, Chief Osaro Idah, added:

“Iyeki is independent in every market like the Oba Market, Ogiso Market and others.

“The traders select their leaders from within the market. The Iyeki do more than the role of coordinating traders.

“There are certain shrines inhabited in all the markets. They play certain roles on behalf of the palace.

“After their selection, they bring the person to the palace for confirmation.

“The novelty of general Iyeki is alien to Benin custom and tradition.

“We just believe the Iyaloja is your socio-cultural thing like you have other clubs.

“It is not in our culture to have a general Iyeki. An Iyeki is particular to each market.

“No one has the right to control the other in another market.

“The Iyeki in Oba Market has no role to play in Ogiso Market. The Oba established the market for all in the society.”

A visibly angry Benin indigene told Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) that there cannot be a General Iyeki in Benin kingdom.

“This is a case of politics, trying to bring politics into the ancient social life of my people. It will be resisted!

“She can call herself leader of the Edo market association but the term “General Iyeki” is an abomination,” he fumed.

The source pointed out that the “Iyeki” selected by the market women in Oba market cannot preside over the affairs of Edaiken or Egor markets.

He pointed out that each Iyeki is the mother of their own market, chosen by the market to represent them in traditional functions.

She is also to atone for the market when things go wrong, according to the traditional ruler.

“In Benin there are shrine in every market and these women serve as their priest,” he said.

He emphasised that the “Iyeki” position should not be politicized, and that the term “General Iyeki” is alien to Benin.

“It’s very important we understand the nature of Benin Tradition and the importance of the Iyeki to the various market they reside,” he said.

According to Benin culture, the “Iyeki” must be selected unanimously by the market women in their respective market.

The Iyeki performs all traditional and spiritual rite in the markets, a practice carried out almost every market day.

Meanwhile, despite being chosen by her people, the Iyeki must be endorsed by the Oba of Benin.

DDM also learnt that every “Iyeki” exercises autonomous authority from each other.

It was also learnt that there are only three titles in Benin Kingdom that are opened to women.

The three titles and their significance are:

• Iyoba — Mother of the Oba
• Iyeye — Mother of the Nation
• Iyeki — Mother or Mothers of their respective markets.

The three titles are strongly associated with motherhood in the Benin culture.

The Iyoba is the only chieftaincy title, the two others are titles attached to the palace but are not chieftaincy titles.

Another source made a distinction between the Benin “Iyeki” and the Yoruba “Iyaloja”.

Citing a publication “Ethnic African Stories”, she posted on social media:

“Politically and culturally, there is a marked distinction between the market leader in the Benin tradition and the concept of Iyaloja in Yorubaland.

“The female leader of the market in Yorubaland is called the Iyaloja.

“In Benin, she is called Iyeki. Both words are the same, literally meaning “mother of the market”.

“But beyond the name, one of the major differences is that in Benin, it is the market women that nominate or elect their Iyeki.

“She is then presented to the Benin palace for recognition and blessing.

“This is not the practice in Yorubaland where the Iyaloja simply needs the endorsement of the Iyaloja-General.

“Secondly, as against the concept of Iyaloja-General, the Benin practise autonomy for the Iyekis.

“This means that every distinct market has its own Iyeki individually recognised by the palace and whose duties do not spread beyond the market she oversees.

“Thirdly, while the Iyaloja is more political, the Iyeki is more cultural.

“Their links with the palace is because beyond overseeing the markets, they have responsibilities to manage the shrines in the market and perform all necessary sacrifices on behalf of the palace.

“In Benin, each market has a shrine that is served, and it is the duty of the Iyeki to do this.”

The post Iyaloja-General of Nigeria—Tinubu’s Daughter, Disgraced Trying To Install Iyaloja In Benin

You Can’t Install Iyaloja In Benin, Oba Ewuare Dares Her

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