In the chronicles of Yoruba and Nigerian history, the year 1895 stands as a powerful symbol of courage, defiance, and colonial confrontation — the year when Oyo Town, the spiritual and political heart of the ancient Oyo Empire, faced British imperial forces. The invasion marked a turning point: the twilight of Oyo’s sovereignty and a wider prelude to the colonial subjugation of the Yoruba nation.
The Pride of the Oyo Empire
Before the British incursion, Oyo was the seat of one of West Africa’s most formidable empires — the cradle of Yoruba civilization and a center of political, military, and spiritual authority. The Alaafin of Oyo reigned as a supreme monarch, balanced by the Oyo Mesi, a council of seven powerful chiefs.
By the late 19th century, however, British influence was spreading inland from Lagos — annexed in 1861 — under the guise of promoting “law and order” and trade. In reality, the British sought total control of Yorubaland’s political and economic centers.
Genesis of the Conflict
Tensions deepened when Oyo leaders resisted British demands for treaty submission and taxation. Captain Robert Lister Bower, the British Resident in Ibadan, attempted to impose agreements that would reduce Oyo to a vassal state under the Crown.
The Alaafin and his chiefs rejected this outright, viewing such overtures as an insult to their sovereignty. When diplomacy failed, Britain reverted to its common method — military coercion — as had occurred in Ijebu (1892) and Benin (1897).
The Invasion and the Fall
In 1895, a detachment of British troops, armed with Maxim guns and modern rifles, advanced on Oyo. The city’s defenders — armed mainly with Dane guns, swords, and spears — fought valiantly but were outmatched by British firepower.
The assault left parts of Oyo in ruins, displaced royal families, and severely undermined the authority of the Alaafin Adeyemi Alowolodu. It was more than a military defeat; it was a profound psychological blow to Yoruba independence and dignity.
Aftermath and Legacy
In the aftermath, Britain consolidated control through indirect rule, reducing once-sovereign kings to colonial administrators. The Alaafin — once the supreme voice of Yoruba politics — became a symbolic figure within a system governed from Lagos and, later, London.
Yet, the 1895 resistance remains a proud testament to Yoruba defiance. It reminds future generations that Oyo did not surrender easily — that its people fought with courage to defend their autonomy and cultural identity.
Commemorating the Heroes
Over a century later, efforts are underway to immortalize this chapter of history. The current Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has approved plans to establish the Alaafin Pepe War Memorial, honoring the city’s resistance during the 1895 “Ogun Pepe” (Pepe War).
The Pepe War Memorial Committee, chaired by Dr. Sokan Ojebode, and coordinated by Mr. Segun Oke, announced a week-long commemoration in November 2025.
Events will include:
- November 11: Interfaith prayers for peace and harmony.
- November 13: A public lecture at the Federal School of Surveying, Oyo, titled “Ogun Pepe @130: Memory as a Call to Renewal”, to be delivered by Prof. Akin Alao of Obafemi Awolowo University.
- Discussants include Prof. Sekinat Kola-Aderoju, Prof. Niyi Gbadegesin, Prof. Ladun Oloruntoba, and Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo.
- November 12: A Tree Planting and Fitila Night procession from Owode to the Alaafin’s Palace.
- November 15 (Grand Finale): A Cultural Exhibition and Fundraising Event at Old Oyo National Park, featuring a stage play “Ogun Pepe” by Gbemi Faleti, directed by veteran filmmaker Yomi Duro-Ladipo, and cultural displays coordinated by Funmi Ajofeebo and Folasade Adeyemi (Arewa).
A Story of Defiance and Pride
The 1895 Oyo invasion was not just an episode of conquest — it was a battle for identity, dignity, and survival. Today, the memory of the Ogun Pepe stands as a rallying call to preserve history, honor the fallen, and celebrate the unbreakable spirit of the Yoruba people.
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