Conference of Obas, Itoro Hall, Ijebu-Ode (1941): Tradition Meets Colonial Authority

Conference of Obas, Itoro Hall, Ijebu-Ode (1941): Tradition Meets Colonial Authority

This historic photograph from 1941 captures a remarkable gathering of traditional rulers and colonial leadership at a Conference of Obas held at Itoro Hall in Ijebu-Ode.

Key Figures in the Image

At the centre of the moment are:

Bernard Henry Bourdillon — then Governor of Nigeria, representing British colonial authority

Akenzua II — the revered Oba of Benin, formally styled Ọmọ n’Ọba n’Ẹdo Uku Akpọlọkpọlọ

Ginuwa II — seen in the background wearing a silver crown, ruler of the Itsekiri people

The Purpose of the Conference

During the colonial period, such conferences were organised to:

Facilitate communication between British administrators and traditional rulers

Discuss governance, taxation, and local administration

Strengthen the system of indirect rule, where colonial authorities governed through indigenous leaders

These meetings were crucial in shaping how colonial policies were implemented across Nigeria.

A Meeting of Two Worlds

The image symbolises a powerful intersection:

Traditional authority represented by kings and Obas

Colonial power embodied by the British governor

While the Obas retained cultural and local influence, their roles were increasingly shaped by colonial structures.

Historical Significance

This 1941 gathering highlights:

The importance of traditional institutions in governance

The British reliance on existing leadership systems

The evolving political landscape leading up to Nigeria’s independence

Figures like Akenzua II played key roles in maintaining cultural continuity during a period of external control.

The Conference of Obas at Itoro Hall stands as a powerful reminder of Nigeria’s dual governance history—where tradition and colonial administration coexisted and interacted.
Through leaders like Akenzua II and Ginuwa II, the legacy of indigenous authority endured even within a colonial framework.

Source

E. H. Duckworth Photograph Collection

Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections