Kuku family

The Kuku family is a prominent Nigerian clan. Claiming descent from the colonial era Ijebu war chief Balogun Kuku, they are one of the most influential of the Ijebu Kingdom's noble families.^[1][2][3][4]

The founder of the Kuku family, Chief Kuku I, amassed vast wealth as a trader in Ibadan in the 1800s and used his assets to establish a personal army that he then used to protect his native Ijebu thereafter during the Yoruba Revolutionary Wars. In gratitude for this, Oba Tunwashe, the reigning Awujale of Ijebu, gave him the responsibility of defending his kingdom in the Imagbon war, a conflict that involved the British colonists that were then residing in Lagos Colony. After coming to a stalemate, Balogun Kuku negotiated a peace with his foes that saw Ijebu coming under the protective control of Britain in the aftermath.^[5]

After flirting with Christianity following these events, Chief Kuku converted to Islam and amassed a huge following as one of the earliest of that faith's native clerics. His family is therefore traditionally Muslim today.^[4]

In addition to this, Balogun Kuku is also famous today for having popularized the ceremonial durbar that honours the Awujale each year during the Eid festival. Now known as the Ojude Oba, his family of descendants maintains a custom of taking part in its festivities each year.^[6]

In recognition of Kuku I's enduring contributions to the kingdom, an Awujale of Ijebu-Ode, Ọba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, conferred the Oloriogun title upon the Kuku family as a hereditary chieftaincy title in perpetuity. This title was elevated at this time to the Ilamuren class, one of the highest-ranking chieftaincy categories in Ijebuland. Currently, the Oloriogun title is held by Dr. Sonny Folorunsho Kuku, the olori-ebi of the Kuku family.^[7]

The Ogbeni Oja title,^[8] one of the most esteemed non-hereditary chieftaincy positions in Ijebuland, has also been bestowed upon members of the Kuku family. The title of Ogbeni Oja, which serves as the equivalent of a Prime Minister to the Awujale, has been successively held by two great-grandsons of Kuku I: Chief Bayo Kuku and Dr. Sonny Folorunsho Kuku.^[9][10] This title highlights the family's continued prominence in the political affairs of Ijebuland.

Further solidifying the Kuku family's influence, Chief (Mrs.) Derin Adedeji (née Kuku) was conferred with the title of the Iyalode of Ijebu-Ode by Awujale Sikiru Kayode Adetona. The Iyalode is the holder of the highest non-hereditary chieftaincy title for women in Ijebuland, and represents her gender's leadership, social impact, and contributions to community development.