BENIN-CITY: The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has declared that the title of Iyaloja (market leader) is foreign to Benin tradition, stressing that the kingdom already has its own indigenous structure for market leadership.
The monarch made the remark on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, when he received Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu and Iyaloja General of Nigeria, who visited him in Benin City.
Mrs Tinubu-Ojo had informed the palace that she was in Edo State to inaugurate Pastor Josephine Ivbazebule as the Iyaloja of all markets in the state.
Responding, the Oba questioned whether she understood the traditional role of the Iyeki the market leader in Benin Kingdom and its sacred link to the palace. Iyaloja is alien to us here in Benin. You are in Benin, the home of culture; we have our culture here.
Every Iyeki has a special relationship with the palace. Each Iyeki has cultural roles to perform inside the market shrines on behalf of the Oba, the monarch said.
He explained that unlike the Yoruba Iyaloja, the Benin Iyeki is selected by market women and later confirmed by the palace. The position, he added, is both administrative and spiritual.
Chief Osaro Idah, speaking on the Oba’s instruction, further explained that each market in Benin such as Oba Market and Ogiso Market has its own Iyeki chosen independently by traders.
The novelty of a general Iyeki is alien to Benin custom and tradition. Iyeki is particular to each market. No one leader has authority over another market.
The Iyeki in Oba Market has no role to play in Ogiso Market. The Oba established markets for all in society, Chief Idah said.
He emphasized that market leaders not only coordinate traders but also perform cultural duties in shrines located within markets, acting as representatives of the Oba.
The palace therefore made it clear that the Iyaloja title is not recognized within Benin tradition, as it does not align with the kingdom’s established customs.
